As an online school with a support system for students that includes face-to-face contact, we are in a unique position to continue to educate our students during the current coronavirus pandemic. We are operating at near-normal pacing and students are continuing to make progress in their classes. We are very proud of their resilience. However, we have implemented some changes in order to keep our students, families, and staff healthy and safe.
Beginning on March 14th, we temporarily suspended face-to-face mentor meetings with students. Instead, meetings are held using Google Hangout. We have also stepped up the number of virtual meetings when necessary to provide additional support for students.
We have also halted service-learning and any P.E. activities that would require students to be in groups or at the gym.
There may be additional concerns and/or questions when students are in isolation that we want to help make less stressful or confusing. Our number one priority is keeping students on track with their goals to graduate, catch up on credits, transition back to their home school, etc. We will not let this be a setback, our students are actually in a perfect situation to keep getting educated regardless of what happens. We have every belief that they will succeed and we will be there to assist them!
We have shared health and safety information with students and families including mental health as well as physical health information. In addition, we have set up clear and manageable guidelines for virtual meetings so that students understand expectations and will find the work productive. We will return to our face-to-face meetings as soon as we are able to based on the recommendations from the state and the CDC.
Please feel free to contact us with any and all concerns and questions.
Sincerely,
Sarah Zdenek Assistant Director, INHA Academy
Testimonials
"Thank you Christy Eral! Always having easy answers, and helping me when my teachers don't. Giving me compliments and encouragement to keep doing my best. For understanding how hard some things are, but always trying to lighten the mood."
-Carma
Student
"Through Net High Academy, Saydel High School has been able to expand our continuum of services in order to connect with students to earn a high school diploma. As a result of the efforts of Net High Academy, 5 students have earned a high school diploma that would not likely have achieved this accomplishment through our other programming options. These students are at the tip of our MTSS pyramid and Net High's ability to connect with our students, undoubtedly, has led to the success of individuals within Net High."
-Kevin Schulte
Principal, Saydel High School
"Not being able to complete high school is a scary feeling. Iowa NET High Academy gave me another option than just getting my G.E.D. My classes at INHA were based on careers that I am interested in, and made it easy to stay focused. The teachers are very patient and friendly; they were always there when I had questions. I am so glad others are able to feel the relief I did graduating with Iowa NET High Academy."
-Kaitlin S.
Iowa NET High Graduate
"Iowa NET High Academy has helped the Ames Community School District reach students that we were not able to reach in the traditional school setting. We needed to go beyond our school walls to help some students feel successful in their education process and that is where NET High Academy was able to help address a gap in our continuum of services. NET High staff took the time to figure out our students' passions and use that information to engage students in their coursework. Most importantly, NET High staff were flexible and worked around our students' needs and schedules."
-Yonas Michael
Director of Student Services, Ames Community School District
"I just wanted to thank you again for everything you did to help me! DMACC is going great and my final grades for the first semester were straight As. I definitely couldn't have gotten here without you guys!"
-Kyla C.
Iowa NET High Graduate
"Through our partnership with Iowa NET High Academy, the Marshalltown school district has been able to help students who should be graduating but are significantly credit deficient earn high school credits and their diploma!”
-Matt Cretsinger
Director of Special Services, Marshalltown CSD
"Today I was approved for Financial Aid for college and I hope to be attending UTI for auto mechanics. My plan right now is that each course teaches you two years of experience in one year. So my first-year plan is I’ll be doing auto mechanics and getting a license as a BMW Specialist. Year two I’m going to learn collision repair and get a Porsche License. Year three will be Motorcycle Mechanics. …It’s times like these that I’m glad I found Iowa NET High Academy and Cynthia Knight because I was so close to giving up on everything but my future looks bright."
-Michael D.
Iowa NET High Graduate
Welcome to Iowa NET High Academy
Iowa NET High Academy (INHA) is an innovative education program that incorporates the Common Core Standards, project-based learning, and competency-based reporting into an individualized learning curriculum. Dr. Knight offers a free consultation to all school administrations and students to determine the best option on an individual basis. See the options below and click on the link to receive a free evaluation.
"Our program meets the needs of students and families who have found the traditional routes to obtaining a high school diploma nonviable. INHA matches at-risk students with Iowa licensed instructors to satisfy graduation requirements to earn their high school diploma. We also provide career counseling, college planning, trade school information, and job placement assistance."
Students remain enrolled in their local high school while working with INHA teachers. INHA reports monthly directly to the school district to ensure success. Curriculum is specifically tailored to meet each students learning needs while also satisfying graduation requirements. Specialized career counseling works with each student’s strengths and ambitions to help them plan for the future. INHA provides information on internships, apprenticeship programs, job placement assistance, and college preparation.
INHA are able to work with each teacher collaboratively and utilize a variety of learning tools. Personalized online learning, in person tutoring sessions, service learning activities, and a thoughtful incorporation of traditional and cutting edge techniques enables each student to master subjects and gain confidence. Students have the flexibility to take a full class schedule, or on a class by class basis.
Scholarships available through Don Jordahl Youth Enhancement Fund
Our Mission
Goals
Our goal is simple—create a brighter future for Iowa's young people through public-private partnerships. Banker's Trust, YMCA, United Way, and Iowa Workforce Development continue to support our mission as we develop more collaboration with apprenticeship programs, internship opportunities, and job training options. We believe we can help increase graduation rates and job readiness.
Why Our Program Matters
We change the trajectory of a dropout’s life. We meet them face to face in the life situation they are in: some are homeless, hungry and without hope. We develop a curriculum around their career goals and help them dream of a brighter future. Iowa NET High Academy provides a quality educational experience that requires students to meet the Iowa Common Core Standards, participate in their community through service learning activities, and ensure they are college and career ready when they leave our program.
What Is the Cost
There is a personal cost to dropping out of school—forfeiture of many collegiate and job opportunities. Additionally, "dropouts continue to have from about 5 to 8 times the risk of incarceration as graduates." The Costs of Dropping Out of School in Iowa: 2015 Update, James R. Veale (Iowa Department of Education, 2015). As the rate of dropouts increases, so does the incarceration rate. When considering the financial investment and the average time of each program, INHA is a practical and conservative use of state funds.
Our Statistics
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Our Services
INHA currently partners with numerous school districts to educate at-risk youth. By tailoring a specialized Iowa Common Core curriculum and providing one-on-one attention, we reach students who struggle in traditional public school. Our students often have special needs such as a language barrier, learning disabilities, behavioral issues, mental health challenges, or an insecure living situation.
Our highly qualified teachers personalize the curriculum for each student. We address the academic, social, and emotional needs of the students we serve.
When we become your partner, your district adopts our curriculum as a piece of your continuum of services. We meet with your students, we provide technology and internet access, we foster their community ties and leaderships skills, and we report it all back to you.
"One of my most memorable moments with Iowa Net High was working with a student that could not attend the regular classroom setting due to harassment and bullying. It was very rewarding to see that she was motivated to finish high school and do well with her classes. She was a very talented artist that produced some excellent works in my art class. I was impressed that she wanted to work through the hardships that she had experienced in school and still earn her diploma. It was an amazing feeling to see her walk across the stage to get her diploma knowing that Iowa Net High helped her with her journey."
"Gavin is my best success story so far. He came to me functioning at about 3rd or 4th grade level in most subjects. He was 16 years old at the time. He had been told by his special education teacher that on a 1 to 10 scale of intelligence, he was a ZERO. I worked with Gavin for about 18 months and at the end of that time he was doing beginning algebra and calculus. Not bad for a kid who was told he was too dumb to walk and chew gum at the same time."
"I love being a teacher at Iowa Net High Academy. Because we are focused on personalized learning, I am fortunate to get to see students demonstrating their growth in amazing ways. One of my favorite stories is a student who struggled to complete a Government class for months. After I learned that he was a musician, I updated one of his projects to include a multi-media element. He wrote, recorded, mixed, and uploaded his song and I was blown away. His lyrics and reflection showed me what he had taken away from the class and I was grateful to be apart of it."
Iowa Net High Academy - Founder/Executive Director
Recognized as one of Iowa's most progressive leaders of intervention strategies in education, Dr. Cynthia Knight brings an outstanding set of credentials to Iowa Net High Academy. Dr. Knight received her BA from University of Iowa and her Doctorate from Capella University She has addressed the National Association of Secondary School Principals, Iowa Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development, and the Iowa Association of Alternative Education. Dr Knight has served as college professor for Viterbo University and Upper Iowa University and Iowa State University. Prior to launching Iowa Net High Academy, Knight served for seven years in the Iowa Department of Education where she structured programs in special education, math, science, social studies, language arts/reading. She was co-chair of the state's Instructional Decision Making initiative, served on the co-teaching task force, behavior supports task force, Every Student Counts and Every Learner Inquires teams. Prior to the Iowa Department of Education, Dr. Knight taught in small and large school districts in Iowa and Texas.
Concerned with the need to identify and provide innovative techniques to dropouts or students who have exhausted the school’s educational offerings, Dr. Knight opened Iowa Net High Academy in 2011. As the founder, and Executive Director of the academy, Knight has developed strategies and techniques that identify individual learning styles, and then prescribes an optimal cognitive learning path for each individual. Utilizing personalized online learning techniques, local partnerships, and service learning, 84 % of Iowa Net High Academy's students have earned their high school diplomas. Every graduate is employed or going to college.
In addition to Iowa Net High Academy, Knight serves as Mayor of her hometown, Union, Iowa. Service to her community and to those who need a little help is her passion.
Lori Knight
Iowa Net High Academy - Administrative Assistant
Lori is the record keeping liaison between the student, teachers and the Director. She keeps confidential records and helps generate reports for the school districts.
Having been in post secondary education since 1989, she has had the position of Instructor, Director and Owner in Cosmetology Schools. With this past experience, she is well versed in record keeping for state reporting.
"I love to see success. INHA is an important vehicle for at-risk students to use to become successful citizens. What better work is there than to help others? This work is so fulfilling."
Sarah Zdenek
Currently teaching: English, Drama, Speech, Journalism, TAG
I have been a teacher for fifteen years. I started working at INHA because I wanted to help students who hadn’t had a fair shake in a traditional school setting. I continue working here because I love the freedom to explore the connections students make between their interests and goals and the skills they need to be successful. When I am not actively working, I am sewing, reading, binge watching British murder mysteries, and running from one practice or lesson to another as the personal chauffeur to my five lovely kiddos!
Joe Knight
I have been involved in education as a substitute teacher and classroom teacher since 2009. I earned my Master of Arts in Teaching from Simpson College and am endorsed in K-12 art and 5-12 special education. I teach the art classes for Iowa Net High Academy and always enjoy seeing what students create. Though I am no longer in the regular education setting, I utilize my passion to connect with and motivate students through the fine arts. My preferred media are graphite and watercolor. I am active in the outdoors and love to follow my bird dogs through marshes and uplands.
Ike Moore
I've provided educational solutions to school districts in the Midwest for the past 20 years, representing Gateway Computers and on-line educational software such as PLATO Learning and myON Reader to name a few. Although I am not a teacher by trade, I am a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and have taught employees how to become cooks and chefs in restaurants and hotels. I am as passionate about Iowa NET High today as I was over 14 years ago when Dr. Knight shared her vision with me. I knew then and this holds true today, that her program is a much-needed solution for today's youth. Engage, Excite, and Support are the key components to why this program outperforms canned solutions.
I am married to my wife Martha who is a wildlife photographer (marthamooreimages.com). We enjoy the outdoors, exploring the natural habitat of animals, and taking pictures to capture their unique expressions. I love to cook and enjoy trying new recipes that excite the palate. I have two sons. One that was an at-risk student and nearly dropped out, who now owns his own HVAC company "Moore Air KC" in Springhill, KS. My youngest is a graduate of Duke University with an Engineering Degree and is now working on his Doctorate in Biomedical Engineering at North Western University.
Christine Ehlert
I have been teaching Physical Education and Health at Marshalltown High School for the past 24 years. I enjoy being active and communicate with my students that physical activity can be fun and it vital for their well- being. In my free time, I like to work in the garden, spend time with family and friends and outside projects.
Chuck Krueger
I've been teaching since the early 70s. I graduated from ISU with a double major ( physics and psychology ) and eventually got a masters from Wichita State University in special ed (emphasis in talented and gifted ). I'm married and live in Newton.
Morgan Owen
Hi! I chose to teach at Net High because I truly believe in the value and potential of each student. I love teaching social studies because understanding ourselves, others, and society is crucial to creating more peaceful spaces and places. In addition to Net High, I have also taught Spanish and English as a Foreign Language in Des Moines, Minneapolis, and a handful of countries. Wandering, traveling, and general exploring are my favorite activities. I also have profound love for coffee, the environment, and social gatherings that involve good food.
Thomas Griffin
I have been a Social Studies teacher for nine years. I have taught Government, AP Government, Economics, Psychology, World History and US History. I wanted to teach with INHA because I believe that the best education is a meaningful one. INHA allows teachers and students to create a personalized learning experience that will stick with the student for a lifetime. I love learning about history and education. When I am not teaching, I spend a lot of time with my wife and two children, reading or watching sports.
Cale Roe
My name is Cale Roe and I teach social science with Iowa Net High Academy. I started out teaching Law & Sociology in the Chicago Public Schools. I have also taught for many years at Urbandale High School. I enjoy working with young people to help them succeed and earn credits. I believe strongly in personalized learning and giving students a voice and choice in how they learn.
Don Jordahl
Jordahl Academy
Working with the Private sector to increase educational opportunities for Iowa's At-Risk Youth.
