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Rockwood and Parkway partnership expands innovative college and career learning opportunities
4/2/2019 -- Rockwood Superintendent Dr. Eric Knost and Parkway Superintendent Dr. Keith Marty are exploring a unique partnership to benefit students. During recent school board meetings, the superintendents shared two innovative learning programs offered by these west St. Louis County districts.
The Rockwood School District established an Early College Partnership (ECP) with St. Louis Community College-Wildwood. This partnership allows current Rockwood high school students to obtain an associate degree while fulfilling their Missouri graduation requirements. The ECP is a two-year, full-immersion, dual-enrollment program.
In Parkway School District’s Spark! program, students learn at off-site, authentic workspaces during school hours for academic credit. They are supported by a robust network of business and community partners in six strands: a business incubator, engineering, bio-science, technology solutions, teaching and learning and pre-professional health sciences academy.
According to district leaders, beginning with the 2019-20 school year, a small number of Rockwood students will participate in Spark! and a small number of Parkway students will enroll in the ECP. The school districts look to grow opportunities in the future.
Dr. Knost shared that each school district has successfully launched and currently is managing these quality programs. “The idea is to utilize the management that is already in place. In Rockwood, we can create our Spark! program under Parkway’s management. Parkway can create their ECP program under our management. It will open up more opportunities for kids while sharing resources.”
Dr. Marty noted the partnership will provide more choices and personalized learning for students. “I’m excited that our students will advance into college and career in a way that is also cost effective for our communities,” he shared. “As we initiate these innovative programs in our school districts, it’s a great way to learn from each other and continue to benefit our students and their learning.”
In 2014, the school districts successfully joined efforts in offering community education programs and courses through Parkway-Rockwood Community Education. Popular programs include Adventure Club, a school-age care program, and Adult Literacy and Education.