1. What is the AOEC?
AOEC - Alternative/Optional Education Center.  It is a self-paced, computer-assisted and student centered program with the goal to get students back on track to their correct grade level and to graduate. The program was developed for students who have difficulty fitting in the regular school environment due to disruptive life issues and family responsibilities. These students are admitted through an intake interview and review of their prior academic work. Students must be reading at the 8th grade level to be admitted and have no serious discipline record.  The Pickus Center, a child care facility run by Kids Hope United, is on site and available to the children of AOEC students who are under three years of age.


2. When can I enroll?
AOEC registration for returning students for the 2012-2013 school year is done by mail-in.  Registration packets are mailed to all current students in late February and accepted back March 19, 2012 through April 20, 2012 in the AOEC Main Office.   If you miss mail-in registration, you will need to register in August before school begins by appointment.  Please contact the AOEC Main Office in August to make an appointment to register. Registration for new students is also by appointment only.  An application will need to be filled out at the Main Office.

There is open enrollment throughout the school year, but the seats available for the AOEC program get filled up fast.  Once the seats are filled, you will be put on a waiting list for any future openings that become available.  The first step is to fill out an application at the Main Office.

If you enroll/transfer to the AOEC program from another school in the district during the school year, you must be accepted into a seat available at the AOEC before you withdraw from your previous school.


3. Is there a deadline to enroll?
There is no deadline to enroll at the AOEC throughout the school year, provided there is a seat available for you and you have been accepted.  When seats are full, applications are taken for a waiting list.

However the deadline for Mail-In Registration for returning students is April 20, 2012.


4. When does school start?
School starts for the AOEC program the same day as the rest of the district.

For the 2012-2013 School Year school begins on Monday, August 20, 2012.
Click on District Calendar to view the 2012-2013 school calendar.


5. How much does it cost?

The 2012-2013 registration fees are:

If you already paid a registration fee at the WHS for the school year and enroll at the AOEC, that registration fee does apply so you do not have to pay it twice.  Registration paperwork does, however, need to be filled out at the AOEC to enroll, and you do not withdraw from your previous school until you have been accepted into an available seat in the program.

6. What are the class hours?
The AOEC Programs Schedule has two different class sessions for Middle School and High School students split into AM and PM classes.  The class sessions are as follows:

MIDDLE SCHOOL SCHEDULE

MONDAY - FRIDAY

As an incentive, when student progress is good, "Motivational Friday" is determined by the AOEC Middle School teachers and students will have a shorter schedule on that Friday.

HIGH SCHOOL SCHEDULE

MONDAY - THURSDAY

FRIDAY

7. Where do I go to sign up?
To apply or enroll for the AOEC program, you must go to the AOEC Main Office located at:

1020 Glen Rock Avenue (entrance is off of Jackson)
Waukegan, IL  60085
Phone: (847) 360-5540

8. What do I need to register?

• Census Verification Report (Verify and make any necessary changes)
• Provide an Official Birth Certificate
• Provide Two (2) Proofs of Residency (Gas bill, Electric bill, Mortgage, Lease, Public Aid Card)
• Pay Registration Fee
• Annual Health Questionnaire (with Health and Immunization Requirements fulfilled)

To enroll in the AOEC program or any of the other programs offered within the AOEC building once you have been accepted, you must go to the AOEC Main Office located at 1020 Glen Rock Avenue (entrance is off of Jackson).  See the secretary to fill out a registration packet.  You MUST also bring a birth certificate, two forms of residency and pay the registration fee.  All health and immunization requirements must also be completed before entering school.


9. How old do you have to be?  Is there an age restriction?
For the 8th grade Credit Recovery program at the AOEC building, students must be at least 14 years of age by September 1st and two years below expected grade level.  Middle School students must be referred by their home school administration.

All other programs offered at the AOEC building are for high school students ranging from 9th to 12th grade.  To apply for the AOEC program, students must be on track to graduate by 21 years of age.


10. Is there daycare?
Yes, there is a daycare program located in the Stephens Center building.  The program is called Pickus Infant and Toddler Center run by Kids Hope United.  Enrollment is on a first come first serve basis and space is limited.  Click on the name to view an informational flyer or call (847) 625-7915 for further information.


11. Is there lunch?
Yes, there is hot Breakfast and Lunch available to the AOEC students. It is located at the WHS-Washington Campus cafeteria.  Breakfast is available from 7:15a-7:45a, and lunch is available for the AM session students from 12:30pm-1:00pm, and for the PM session students from 12:00pm-12:30pm. Students MUST bring their IDs with them to breakfast and/or lunch!


12. Is there Saturday School?
Yes, the AOEC/Stephens Center does hold Saturday School during the regular school year.  Saturday School offers students the opportunity to make-up 0.5 to 1.0 credits.  There are a limited number of openings for Saturday School.  Priority is given to the AOEC students but remaining openings are available to the rest of Waukegan High School students.  To enroll in Saturday School, you must sign-up at the AOEC Main Office and pay the $25.00 fee (**There is no cost for AOEC students**).

Waukegan High School students should have paperwork from their counselors showing what course(s) is needed.

For Saturday School hours, dates, location, etc. please refer to the Programs Schedule.


13. What other alternative programs are available through the AOEC?
The AOEC building encompasses programs designed to target middle and high school students who have not found success within the traditional school setting. Besides the AOEC program, there are several other alternative programs managed through the AOEC for student placement.  For further detailed information about each program, click on the link below.

• AOEC
• OPTIONS
• GRADUATE RECOVERY
• EXTENDED DAY
• OMBUDSMAN
• ROE
• TWILIGHT
• S.T.A.R.S. PROGRAM (Successfully Targeting And Reaching Students)
• Pickus Infant and Toddler Center

14. Where is Twilight school?
TWILIGHT school is located at the AOEC/Stephens Center building.  School hours are from 5:30pm - 8:30pm.  For further information contact Mrs. Olivia at (847) 360-5540.


15. Can I fulfill all my graduation requirements through an AOEC alternative program?
The curriculum used for most of the credit earning alternative programs at the AOEC building is on computer program called APEX and Nova Net.  On their own, APEX and Nova Net do not contain all coursework necessary to meet the WHS graduation requirements if a student enters as a freshman.  It is possible to satisfy graduation requirements by taking certain classes during Summer School or through the AOEC Extended Day program.


16. Do I still get a diploma if I am enrolled in an alternative program?
Students that attend any of the credit earning alternative programs through the AOEC building, such as AOEC, Options, Extended Day, Twilight, Ombudsman and ROE are Waukegan High School students.  Students enrolled in any of these programs, upon completion of WHS graduation requirements, will receive a high school diploma that reads Waukegan High School.


17. Can I still go to prom if I am enrolled in an AOEC alternative program?
Students enrolled in any of the alternative programs through the AOEC building are still considered Waukegan High School students.  As long as their school schedule does not conflict with the activity and they are in good standing, students can attend prom, homecoming and other dances as well as participate in clubs and interscholastic sports.

The exception for this is expelled students.  Those expelled students who attend an alternative program through the AOEC building, must still follow the rules of the expulsion and are NOT allowed on school grounds during their expulsion.


18. Are Special Ed students eligible to enroll in one of the AOEC alternative programs?
The Special Education Department has many placement options for Special Education students.  The AOEC, Ombudsman, Twilight, etc. with the advisement of a student's IEP and corresponding service requirements, are programs that can accommodate Special Education students.  


19. Are Bilingual/ESL students eligible to enroll in one of AOEC alternative programs?
Bilingual/ESL students level 3 and above are eligible to enroll at the AOEC.

20. What is the Homebound Tutoring Program? Is it done through the AOEC?
The Homebound Tutoring Program is a homebound/hospital instruction program for Waukegan students who are unable to come to school for medical or other reasons. The students involved in this program have medical certification from their doctors requiring the program. Information regarding the HOMEBOUND TUTORING Program can be found on the AOEC website. Clicking on the "Homebound Tutoring" name and/or "Homebound Tutoring Guidelines and Schedule" will provide a link to that section of information. The Homebound Tutoring Coordinator is Julie Pasqua.


For further information regarding any of the AOEC alternative programs, please contact the Main Office:

1020 Glen Rock Avenue
Waukegan, IL  60085

Phone: (847) 360-5540
Fax: (847) 360-5373