Alternative Education
Alternative Education at Tiger Academy
Tiger Academy houses an alternative daytime program for high school students. This is a hybrid model between in person learning at Urbana High School and alternative education at Tiger Academy. The goal is to provide an individualized learning environment incorporating alternative and restorative practices for credit recovery, passing current classes, and a small learning environment for students to be more successful academically, behaviorally, and socially/emotionally. Each student has long-term goals and case plans tailored to their individual needs. Tiger Academy also houses after-school programming focused on career planning.
Beginning with the 2026-27 school year, Urbana Middle School will house an extension of the daytime program for students in grades 6-8.
Tiger Academy provides an individualized learning environment incorporating alternative and restorative practices for credit recovery, passing current classes, and small learning environment for students to be more successful academically, behaviorally, and socially/emotionally.
- Focus on credit recovery and passing current classes, while also providing a small learning environment for students to succeed academically, behaviorally, and socially/emotionally.
- Individual Alternative Learning Plans will be developed with academic and behavioral goals.
- In order to be accepted, the student must have documented interventions already attempted through a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) for behavior/social/emotional and/or academics
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Our day time program utilizes a combination of online learning courses via Edmentum, Google Classrooms from UHS facilitated by their already scheduled teacher and Tiger Academy staff, and other supplementary curricular materials based on the individual student needs academically, socially, and emotionally.
In-person Classes
- Math:Algebra 1, Algebra 2 & Geometry
- Social Studies: Civics, U.S. History and World History
- ELA: English 9, 10 and Speech using HMH Into Lit curriculum
- Art: Art of Education curriculum purchased with a focus on SEL skills & identity through art
- PE: Weight room equipment is used for exercise focused PE
- English as a Second Language: Math and Social Studies to include Multilingual Learners and English Language Learners
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- Executive Director: Joe Wiemelt – jwiemelt@usd116.org
- Teacher: Melissa Lighty – mlighty@usd116.org
- Social Emotional Learning Specialist: Mitzy Maldonado – mcastillomaldonado@usd116.org
- Grants & Curriculum Coordinator: Natalee Bretz – nbretz@usd116.org
- Restore U Facilitator: Domesha Nunn – dnunn@usd116.org
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In the 2025-26 school year, the number of students on track for graduation at Tiger Academy increased by 30 percent from semester 1 to semester 2. By the end of the year, 30 students were on track and at the correct grade level in credit requirements.
- 81% of Tiger Academy students improved their overall GPA from Fall 2025 to Spring 2026 semesters
- 32% increased MAP scores in Reading from Fall to Spring
- 41% increased MAP scores in Math from Fall to Spring
- 9 students graduated Urbana High School in either December or May
