SOUTH SIOUX CITY, Neb. – A new location and partnership were announced today for the South Sioux City Community School’s Gateway to Learning (GTL) Program.
The GTL program, which is an alternative high school designed to support students who may feel challenges in a traditional setting, will partner the South Sioux City program with Northeast Community College and Wayne State College in their shared College Center at 1001 College Way.
The new arrangement was announced at a press conference following the Northeast Community College’s Board of Governors’ meeting on June 12 in South Sioux City.
The agreement, which was approved earlier in the day by the Northeast board, has also been approved by the South Sioux City School Board and the Nebraska State College System Board of Trustees.
Dr. Rony Ortega, South Sioux City Community Schools superintendent, said he was looking forward to continuing collaboration with Northeast and Wayne State as this exciting project moves forward.
The project not only supports student success but also positions the program as a destination that inspires possibility and purpose for more South Sioux City High School students, Ortega said.
The existing GTL program is housed at 1000 W. 29th St. in South Sioux City. At the college center, it will be housed in five rooms and a corridor, providing more than 3,700-square-feet.
Dr. Leah Barrett, president of Northeast, and Dr. Marysz Rames, president of Wayne State College, said the new arrangement will enhance the existing offerings for their programs.
Barrett said while the arrangement of the GTL Program partnering with colleges might seem like a new concept, this type of partnership has been implemented before.
“Welcoming the GTL program to the College Center is a great step to building pathways to higher education for young people who may not have been college bound,” Barrett said. “The students will have the benefit of stepping into a college facility every day for high school classes as well as multiple opportunities to participate in dual enrollment courses from Northeast and Wayne State.”
Just like many students enroll in Early College or Dual Credit Courses, this agreement enables GTL students to take advantage of those benefits. Such programs allow high school students to earn college credits while in high school.
“Creative partnerships like this benefit our students and our communities,” Barrett said.
One of the areas where GTL high school students will have new opportunities is welding.
“We are opening the doors to our full-time welding program to high school students who are close to meeting high school graduation requirements,” said Katie Towler, director of the South Sioux City Extended Campus. “Students who participate will graduate in May with a high school diploma and a welding diploma.”
Here’s how that will work: Students will take welding and general education courses (technical math and workplace communications) Monday-Thursday at the College Center campus and complete their remaining high school requirements on Fridays or outside of the school day. Because of Northeast's free Early College program, students will access the tuition-free content. Students are responsible for textbooks, course fees, and tools.
This is where the new partnership needs assistance – helping students pay for textbooks, course fees and tools.
“We do not want these expenses to be a barrier to students, and therefore we are committed to securing sponsorships and in-kind donations to ensure a successful launch,” Towler said.
Barrett speaking
Northeast Community College President Leah Barrett speaks Thursday afternoon at a press conference to announce a new partnership with the South Sioux City Community Schools and Wayne State College with the GTL Program. (Northeast Community College)
