South Whidbey Academy Grades 10-12

South Whidbey Academy

South Whidbey Academy (SWA) offers an alternative pathway to high school graduation for students who need more than a traditional school setting can provide. Accepted students benefit from personalized learning, small class sizes, and dedicated staff who build strong, meaningful relationships with each learner.

SWA serves as an opportunity for students to have a structured, supportive environment to refocus, rebuild confidence, and create a clear, achievable plan toward graduation.

At SWA, students join a community where every individual is known, valued, and supported. The SWA team works to foster a culture of respect, open communication, and genuine care—ensuring that no student is overlooked and everyone has a caring place to work toward their future.

Our Mission

The South Whidbey Academy's 10th-12th grade program encourages and enables students to be ready and capable to meet the challenges of life in school and beyond.

We believe student success includes developing:

• Self-advocacy and Communication skills by students learning to articulate their needs, ask for help, and communicate effectively with adults and peers 
• Executive Functioning and Self-Management skills through students learning to plan, organize, prioritize, and manage time
• Resilience and a Growth Mindset by learning to believe that they can improve through effort and learn to bounce back from setbacks. 

Our committed team of teachers and community partners support students in developing these essential life skills on a consistent, ongoing basis.

Our Approach

Supportive Learning Environment

• Small class sizes with reduced student-to-teacher ratios
• Individualized learning plans tailored to each student's needs
• Enhanced communication between school, students, and parents
• Regular and consistent monitoring of progress

Blended Learning Model

SWA students experience a comprehensive educational approach that includes:

• SWA Support Classes to provide extra time and support for students
• South Whidbey High School courses for core and elective options
• Online coursework for credit recovery, electives
• Work-based learning to develop on the job skills or learn about a particular career.
• Running Start attending one of our local community colleges to earn college and high school credits
• Sno-Isle TECH deeply exploring and gaining skills to enter the work force in a variety of areas.

SWA is designed as a blended model where student’s course requirements are met through a balanced combination of daily live courses taught by highly qualified teachers at South Whidbey High School, as well as online credit recovery and elective courses used to support attainment of student’s graduation and postsecondary goals. SWA is not a full-time online program and students taking online courses are assigned a SWA support class where they work on their online classes with support of the SWA team.

This blended model prepares students for the rigor and responsibility required for postsecondary success.

Who Do We Serve

We serve students who are in the 10th-12th grade. 

Students accepted into SWA must go through a referral process. Counselors make recommendations for placement in SWA to the South Whidbey Student Support Team based on their academic and social emotional needs. The South Whidbey Student Support Team reviews all students who have been recommended to determine eligibility. If the South Whidbey Student Support Team determines SWA would best meet the student’s needs, then parent(s) and student are invited to meet with the SWA Director and counselor to ensure fit and understanding of program design and requirements.

Leadership and Support

Dr. Christine Corbley, SWA Director  

• Oversees individualized learning plans aligned to graduation requirements. 
• Monitor student progress closely and adjust supports as needed. 
• Ensure flexibility in scheduling, pacing, and instructional approaches to meet diverse needs; 
• Serves as a key advocate for students in all school matters.
• Ensure students have access to postsecondary planning, career exploration, and transition support.
• Promote goal setting, self-advocacy, and reflection.
• Track credit accumulation, engagement, and graduation progress reinforcing graduation attainability.
• Facilitates communication between families and school

Christine Amundson, Program Assistant

• Serves as a welcoming, consistent point of contact for students and families.
• Supports enrollment, attendance, scheduling, and student records.
• Facilitates communication between students, families, and staff.
• Helps students navigate daily logistics and solve problems.
• Provides responsive, caring support that contributes to a safe space for students.

Community Partnerships

SWA maintains vital partnerships with organizations including:

• Readiness to Learn Foundation
• Common Grounds
• Various Island County Departments and programs

These partnerships provide critical support for students' social-emotional needs and post-graduation planning.

Graduation Requirements

The SWA program follows the state college and career readiness graduation requirements with the exception of Ethnic Studies, a key South Whidbey School District requirement most often met prior to enrollment in SWA.

 

*Third year math options include Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus, AP Statistics, Personal Finance, or Modeling Math/Bridge. Algebra 2 or beyond is required for most 4 year universities.

*Career Pathway options are Career & Technical Education courses that align to the student’s post high school goals. This needs to be documented in their High School and Beyond Plan. Sno-Isle Tech, SWHS CTE courses, Edmentum and Running Start courses that are career focused may replace 1.0 Fine Arts and 2.0 World Language.

* Two consecutive years of a World Language is required for entrance in most 4 year universities.

Credit Recovery Options

Students who need to make up credits from failed core courses (i.e. social studies, science, math, english language arts) have access to a variety of options including Edmentum, Google Classroom, and competency-based alternatives, all designed to help students meet graduation requirements and gain the skills necessary for post high school success.

Get Involved

As we continue to innovate and expand our programs, we invite community members, students, and families to contribute to this exciting learning venture.