The Providence School in Wilmore was among 11 other schools from across the state to be recognized for excellence in serving students with a variety learning needs at a Kentucky Department of Education Meeting on June 7.

TPS applied to become an Alternative Program of Distinction in January this year. Along with writing the application, the school received many site visits from KDE.

“It was a pretty rough application process,” Principal of TPS Charlanne Pook said.

An alternative education program exists to meet the needs of students that cannot be addressed in a traditional classroom setting but can be met through the assignment of students to alternative classrooms, centers or campuses that are designed to remediate academic performance, improve behavior or provide enhanced learning experiences. Alternative education programs do not include career or technical centers or departments.

As an Alternative Program of Distinction, TPS will receive $2,000 from the Kentucky Department of Education and $1,000 from the Kentucky Center for School Safety for instructional support.

Pook said TPS getting the award this year, after not receiving it last year, was a great note for her to leave. 

“It’s a huge honor for our school,” Pook said.

Pook has been employed by Jessamine County Schools since January, 1994. She has been with The Providence School for a total of 14 years. Eleven of those years were as assistant principal and three were as head principal. Her last day will be June 29. 

Prior to this year, TPS has won the award six times for their school culture and work with vision-driven learning and the work on strategic planning.

“It’s nice to be recognized by outside people for the hard work that our staff does,” Pook said. 

KDE began highlighting exemplary practices in public school alternative programs in 2009. 

“It’s a sense of pride for staff and students,” Pook said. “We worked really hard to receive this award.”