WDBJ7 Roanoke News and Weather NRV Lynchburg Danville | Alternative school students in Roanoke County move to new location

Alternative school students in Roanoke County move to new location

They're students with discipline problems, who everyone hopes will succeed, but no one necessarily wanted.

That became the focus back in August when Roanoke County administrators toyed with the idea of moving a handful teens from the Roland E. Cook Alternative Education School to Cave Spring High School to an estimated 13 thousand dollars.

Parents turned out in large numbers voicing their outrage at an evening meeting.

On a Monday, there was a decision that went in a different direction altogether.

Wedged in between Roanoke College and Interstate 81, HopeTree Academy is now home to students who once relied on the former Roland Cook Alternative program.

"We learned of the news and we certainly felt a lot of empathy not only for the students involved but we certainly felt Roanoke County's pain with the financial status a lot of the public schools are in," says HopeTree Education Director Dr. Tommy Barber.

Cook students will join about 20 others who are already here for a traditional seven hour school day, the only difference, it'll be year round.

"It actually is per stident cheaper than what we could do. We don't have to have any staff or anything and we pay by the student per day," say Roanoke County Public Schools Superintendent Lorraine Lange.

Students, many with discipline problems, will be able to earn a high school diploma at HopeTree and even participate in job training programs.

Roanoke County administrators say this partnership which they've signed onto for the next 5 years is a dream solution for students and staff at the former school all of which have been reassigned to other campuses.