North Central Area Schools (NCA) in Powers, Michigan, is introducing a new online learning program under the leadership of Superintendent Travis Depuydt and Director of Online Learning Amanda Norkoli. Depuydt, who has been working in education in the area for 11 years, took on the role of superintendent on July 1. Prior to this position, he served as the principal at Carney-Nadeau Public School and as the junior high and high school principal at Bark River-Harris Schools. Norkoli, who previously worked as the Director of Online Learning and Career Readiness at Bark River-Harris Schools, has also joined the team at NCA to help launch the online program.
The North Central Online Program is designed to provide students learning at home with the same benefits and opportunities as traditional students. Depuydt emphasized the importance of recognizing that education is not a one-size-fits-all model and that some students may thrive more in an environment other than a traditional classroom setting. The program aims to offer remote learners access to a viable curriculum, communication with teachers, and opportunities for socialization with other students.
One of the key features of the program is that students enrolled in the North Central Online Program will have access to athletics, extracurricular activities, dual enrollment, career and technical education programs, food services, and mental health services. Norkoli highlighted the benefits of learning on one’s own schedule while still receiving individualized academic support and the advantages of a small school environment.
The online program also aims to provide credit recovery and summer programming opportunities directly through NCA, utilizing their own teachers for these purposes. Depuydt expressed his excitement for the upcoming school year and the opportunity to offer the curriculum to at-home learners in their community and beyond. He mentioned that the program is not limited to students in Menominee County and is open to students from neighboring counties as well.
NCA has a track record of academic success, with students consistently performing above the state average on standardized tests. Depuydt highlighted the impressive performance of NCA students on the SAT test, with scores significantly higher than the state average in both English language arts and math. The school’s commitment to academic excellence and support for students is evident in their efforts to expand their reach and provide opportunities for students who may not be able to attend in person.
For those interested in learning more about NCA’s new online program or any other information about the school, they can contact the main office at 906-498-7737. The introduction of the online program reflects NCA’s commitment to meeting the diverse needs of their students and providing quality education in a flexible and accessible format.