A new partnership between the Perry School District and a unique new educational entity looks to help teach those who may otherwise drop out of school due to a lack of success in a traditional classroom setting.

The school board approved an agreement with the Iowa NET High Academy at their meeting Monday.

Superintendent Lynn Ubben says the program is specialized and includes both online instruction and in-person meetings to develop personalized, project-based learning that still meets the standards set by Perry High School.

“It’s not for all kids. It’s for just a small, select group of kids who school maybe isn’t the right place for them.  We try to do our best to meet the needs of many kids and we individualize instruction.  There are all sorts of things that we can try with things and schedules, we do the best we can but there are always just a few kids that we’ve just tried everything and it just doesn’t work.  It doesn’t mean they’re not good kids, it just means that they need something a little different.”

The Perry School District will Pay the Iowa NET High Academy the per pupil dollars they receive from the state for each student that enrolls in the academy.  High School Principal Dan Marburger says this year they have identified two students who they feel this would be a good option for.