The Loop Newspaper - Tehachapi's Online Community News & Entertainment Guide

For the last couple of years, the Tehachapi Unified School District has been looking to expand its home-based study program. With the June 24 board approval to hire a dean for the Tehachapi Independent Learning Academy in the 2015-2016 school-year, that expansion appears to be becoming a reality. According to the plan, the position will at first be a half time position that can be expanded as the program grows.

The current independent study program services about 60 students who meet with their teachers weekly. As the program expands, a certificated teacher is planned for each grade level and subject. The district is also looking at the possible use of the old district offices as class meeting space. Another possibility being discussed is arranging for meeting space at outlying elementary schools so parents would not have to drive students into town.

Chief Administrator of Business Nick Heinlein is looking into marketing plans for the Academy to explore ways to make it competitive with other community academies. Board President Mary Graham praised the plan and added that word of mouth in Tehachapi is as good as promotion. Once the word gets out “it will go like wild fire,” said Graham.