FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

_____________ FAQs _____________

1.   What is the AOEC?

           AOEC - Alternative/Optional Education Center.  It is a self-paced, computer-assisted and student centered program with the goal to get students back on track to their correct grade level and to graduate. The program was developed for students who have difficulty fitting in the regular school environment due to disruptive life issues and family responsibilities. These students are admitted through an intake interview and review of their prior academic work. Students must be reading at the 8th grade level to be admitted and have no serious discipline record.  The Pickus Center, a child care facility run by Kids Hope United, is on site and available to the children of AOEC students who are under three years of age.

2.   When can I enroll?

            AOEC registration for the 2008-2009 school year is strictly mail-in/appointment only.  There will be no open registration held in August.  Mail-in registation for returning students will be March 14, 2008 through April 15, 2008.  Registration for new students will be by appointment only.  An application will need to be filled out at the Main Office.

            There is open enrollment throughout the school year, but the seats available for the AOEC program get filled up fast.  Once the seats are filled, you will be put on a waiting list for any future openings that become available.  The first step is to fill out an application at the Main Office.

            If you enroll/transfer to the AOEC program from another school in the district during the school year, you must be accepted into a seat available at the AOEC before you withdraw from your previous school. 

3.    Is there a deadline to enroll?

           There is no deadline to enroll at the AOEC throughout the school year, provided there is a seat available for you and you have been accepted.  When seats are full, applications are taken for a waiting list.   

4.   When does school start?

           School starts for the AOEC program the same day as the rest of the district.                                          

           For the 2008-2009 school year, school starts on Monday, August 25, 2008. 

           Click on District Calendar for a 2008-2009 school calendar.

5.   How much does it cost?

     The 2008-2009 mail-in registration fee for Middle School students is $80.00, and for High School students it is $90.00.  However if you register after August 20^th, there is a late registration fee.  The registration fee then after August 20^th is $95.00 for Middle School students and $105.00 for High School students.

      If you already paid a registration fee at the UGC for the school year and enroll at the AOEC, that registration fee does apply so you do not have to pay it twice.  Registration paperwork does however need to be filled out at the AOEC to enroll, and you do not withdraw from your previous school until you have been accepted into an available seat in the program.

6.   What are the class hours?

            The AOEC Programs Schedule has two different class sessions for Middle School and High School students split into AM and PM classes.  The class sessions are as follows:

                                                               MONDAY - THURSDAY

AM CLASS	7:30am - 12:30pm	Computer Lab
PM CLASS	12:30pm - 5:30pm	Computer Lab

                                                                          FRIDAY

AM CLASS	7:30am - 11:30am   11:00am - 12:30pm	Computer Lab   STARS, Groups, Electives, Additional Support Activities (program, outside agency or teacher)
PM CLASS	9:30am - 11:00am           11:00am - 2:30pm	STARS, Groups, Electives, Additional Support Activities (program, outside agency or teacher)   Computer Lab

**Please Note:  The S.T.A.R.S. Program does not begin until October, and the hours are subject to change.

7.   Where do I go to sign up?

           To apply or enroll for the AOEC program, you must go to the AOEC Main Office located at:

                                                1020 Glen Rock Avenue (entrance is off of Jackson)

                                                Waukegan, IL  60085

                                                Ph: (847) 360-5540

8.   What do I need to register?

              1.    Fill out Registration Packet

  2.       Provide a Birth Certificate

  3.       Provide two Proofs of Residency (Gas bill, Electric bill, Mortgage, Lease, Medical Card)

  4.       Pay Registration Fee

  5.   Health and Immunization Requirements fulfilled

            To enroll in the AOEC program or any of the other programs offered within the AOEC building once you have been accepted, you must go to the AOEC Main Office located at 1020 Glen Rock Avenue (entrance is off of Jackson).  See the secretary to fill out a registration packet.  You must also bring a birth certificate, two forms of residency and pay the registration fee.  All health and immunization requirements must also be completed before entering school.

9.   How old do you have to be?  Is there an age restriction?

            For the 8^th grade Credit Recovery program at the AOEC building, students must be at least 14 years of age by September 1st and two years below expected grade level.  Middle School students must be referred by their home school administration.

            All other programs offered at the AOEC building are for high school students ranging from 9^th to 12^th grade.  To apply for the AOEC program, students must be on track to graduate by 21 years of age.

10.  Is there daycare?

         Yes, there is a daycare program located in the Stephens Center building.  The program is called Pickus Infant and Toddler Center run by Kids Hope United.  Enrollment is on a first come first serve basis and space is limited.  Click on the name to view an informational flyer or call (847) 625-7915 for further information.

11.  Is there lunch?

            Yes, there is hot Breakfast and Lunch available to the AOEC students, it is located at the Ninth Grade Campus cafeteria.  Breakfast is available from 7:15a-7:45a, and lunch is available for the AM session students from 12:30p-1:00p, and for the PM session students from 12:00p-12:30p.

            Students MUST bring their IDs with them to breakfast and/or lunch!

12.  Is there Saturday School?

            Yes, the AOEC/Stephens Center does hold Saturday School during the regular school year.  Saturday School offers students the opportunity to make-up 0.5 to 1.0 credits.  There are a limited number of openings for Saturday School.  Priority is given to the AOEC students but remaining openings are available to the rest of Waukegan High School Brookside students.  To enroll in Saturday School, you must sign-up at the AOEC Main Office and pay the $25.00 fee. 

            Waukegan High School Brookside students should have paperwork from their counselors showing what course(s) is needed.

            For Saturday School hours, dates, location, etc. please refer to the Programs Schedule.

13. What other alternative programs are available through the AOEC?

            The AOEC building encompasses programs designed to target middle and high school students who have not found success within the traditional school setting. Besides the AOEC program, there are eight other alternative programs managed through the AOEC for student placement, and two non-district programs students are referred to that do not meet requirements to enroll in a district alternative program.  For further detailed information about each program, click on the link below.

                                              AOEC

                                              OPTIONS

                                              GRADUATE RECOVERY

                                              EXTENDED DAY

                                              OMBUDSMAN 

                                              ROE - (Regional Office of Education Safe School Project)  

                                              TWILIGHT

                                              Pickus Infant and Toddler Center

                                              S.T.A.R.S. Program - (Successfully Targeting And Reaching Students)

                                             YOUTH BUILD

                                              YOUTH CONSERVATION CORP - (YCC) 

14. Where is Twilight school?

          TWILIGHT school is located at the AOEC/Stephens Center building.  School hours are from 5:30p-8:30p.  For further information contact Mrs. Olivia at (847) 360-5540.

15. Can I fulfill all my graduation requirements through an AOEC alternative program?

      The curriculum used for most of the credit earning alternative programs at the AOEC building is on computer programs called Novel Stars and Nova Net.  On their own, Novel Stars and Nova Net do not contain all coursework necessary to meet the WHS graduation requirements if a student enters as a freshman.  It is possible to satisfy graduation requirements by taking certain classes during Summer School or through the AOEC Extended Day program.

16. Do I still get a diploma if I am enrolled in an alternative program?

      Students that attend any of the credit earning alternative programs through the AOEC building, such as AOEC, Credit Recovery, Extended Day, Twilight, Ombudsman and ROE are Waukegan High School students.  Students enrolled in any of these programs, upon completion of WHS graduation requirements, will receive a high school diploma that reads Waukegan High School.

17. Can I still go to prom if I am enrolled in an AOEC alternative program?

      Students enrolled in any of the alternative programs through the AOEC building are still considered Waukegan High School students.  As long as their school schedule does not conflict with the activity and they are in good standing; students can attend prom, homecoming and other dances as well as participate in clubs and interscholastic sports. 

The exception for this is expelled students.  Those expelled students who attend an alternative program through the AOEC building, must still follow the rules of the expulsion and are NOT allowed on school grounds during their expulsion.

18. Are Special Ed students eligible to enroll in one of the AOEC alternative programs?

The Special Education Department has many placement options for Special Education students.  The AOEC, Ombudsman, Twilight, etc. with the advisment of a student's IEP and cooresponding service requirements, are programs that can accommodate Special Education students.  

19. Are Bilingual/ESL students eligible to enroll in one of AOEC alternative programs?

Bilingual/ESL students level 3 and above are eligible to enroll at the AOEC. 

For further information regarding any of the AOEC alternative programs, please contact the Main Office:

       1020 Glen Rock Avenue

       Waukegan, IL  60085

       Ph: (847) 360-5540

       Fx: (847) 360-5373

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This Page was last update: Monday, October 27, 2008 at 11:15:46 AM
This page was originally posted: 10/16/06; 9:47:41 AM.
Copyright 2008 AOEC/Stephens' Center