One of the top goals of the Vicksburg Warren School District is to see students graduate.

The local district is one of the three in the state of Mississippi embarking on a partnership with the company Graduation Alliance to see more students graduate with a high school diploma.

“It is an alternate route for students who have lost their way, who have fallen out of their graduation cohort, and individuals within the school district who are under the age of 21 who did not receive a diploma,” said Josh Yeager, district special projects coordinator.

The school district can refer students in Warren County who fall into those categories to Graduation Alliance and help facilitate a connection with the company to create a plan for students to earn a degree that meets the local graduation requirements to receive a high school diploma through the Vicksburg Warren School District.

“The goal is to assist these students in getting a high school diploma through Vicksburg Warren School District on an online route program,” Yeager said. “It’s accredited by the state department of education and of course the Vicksburg Warren School District as well.”

Students in the Graduation Alliance program will take courses online and also meet at least weekly with local advocates to help measure the students’ progress. Students are given access to a laptop and wireless internet as well as certified teachers and academic coaches who will provide instruction to best suit the student.

“They go through a rigorous needs assessment program for the curriculum, and they coordinate those specific academic coaches to assist them along the way,” Yeager said, adding these students would have a principal and support staff just like traditional students.

He said the program is targeted toward students who are over the age of 16 and have long-term illnesses, have missed a lot of school for health or family reasons or who have behavior problems. All applications go through Yeager for approval.

The program is new to Vicksburg this year, and he said 40 students have already registered to participate.

“We’ve seen a lot of success with it thus far,” Yeager said, adding national statistics show 54 present of students who have completed the program have continued their education at a college or university.

He said if the students finish the program and meet the requirements at the proper time, they can participate in graduation ceremonies at the high school they are graduating from — Vicksburg or Warren Central.

“Just as a traditional route student,” Yeager said, adding anyone over the traditional high school student age will have a separate Graduation Alliance graduation ceremony.

Anyone over the age of 21 who is interested in receiving a high school diploma accredited by the Mississippi Department of Education can seek to do so through Graduation Alliance; however, the diploma will not be received through the school district.

Graduation Alliance is based out of Flint, Mich.

“Our primary goal is to get kids back in school and to get them a diploma one way or another,” said Rob Belous, vice president of program development with Graduation Alliance. “We’re really excited to have Vicksburg as one of the first partners in the state. The district and community have just been overwhelming in the effort they have put forward to make this program strong and successful.”

For more information, call 601-638-5122 or vicksburgwarren.gradally.com.