Butler Tech alternative high school earns Crystal Star Award

Published: November 25, 2009

Laura Sage, supervisor for Options Academy – Wokini, accepts the Crystal Star Award. image by:

CLEMSON, S.C. — A Butler Tech alternative high school serving the Lakota School District has been named a program winner of a Crystal Star Award of Excellence.

The Crystal Star Awards of Excellence in Dropout Recovery, Intervention & Prevention are handed out by the National Dropout Prevention Network, coordinated though the National Dropout Prevention Center at Clemson University.

Butler Tech’s Options Academy – Wokini in West Chester, Ohio, serves at-risk students in grades 9-12. Last year the Wokini students earned an average of 6.24 credits, compared to 1.83 credits from their traditional school the year before. Average attendance was 97 percent, compared to 76 percent the year before.

The school employs personalized education plans, social-emotional training and service learning to prepare students for success.

Laura Sage, supervisor for Options Academy – Wokini, accepted the award on behalf of the school.

The Crystal Star Awards are presented annually to bring national attention to outstanding individuals and programs that have made significant contributions to advance the mission of dropout prevention.

The 2009 Crystal Star Awards were announced in San Antonio, Texas, at the 21^st annual conference of the National Dropout Prevention Center/Network. The theme of the Oct. 25-28 conference was “Illuminating the Path to the Future.” For more details on the awards and award winners, visit the National Dropout Prevention Center/Network at http://www.dropoutprevention.org/about/crystal/recipients_2009.htm.

END