An alternative education program of studies has been developed for students in grades 9-12 who are experiencing difficulties in the traditional school setting such as:

• Attendance Issues-Students who have failed to attend school regularly, but still want to earn a diploma
• Educationally At-Risk-Students—Students who are determined to be at risk because of low GPA or poor academic performance despite their ability
• Health related Issues—Pregnant teens or teenage parents or students with health issues for which the Pennway schedule would be beneficial.

Students may apply for the program through their guidance counselor.  Official referral to the Pennway Alternative School comes from the recommendation of the administration.

 
Facts about the Pennway Alternative School Program:

• Pennway classes are done via a comprehensive core curriculum of North Central Association-approved
• courses delivered through Nova Net.  Nova Net courses are interactive Internet-based programs.
• Students progress at their own speed on their own computer.
• In addition to work done on the computer many courses require supplemental writing assignments.
• Many courses also require supplemental activities and the CRT Criterion Referenced Test.
• Grades are Pass (P) or Fail (F) and will appear on the student’s Penn High School transcript as P or F.
• Graduation requirements for Pennway students are the Penn High School graduation requirements.
• Pennway students cannot receive the Academic Honors Diploma because of the Pass/Fail format in grading.
• Students may return to Penn high School at the end of a semester.
• Students may complete their entire High School degree at Pennway Alternative School
• Pennway students will graduate with a Penn High School diploma and are encouraged to participate in the Penn High School graduation ceremony.
• The staff includes a Director, licensed teachers and instructional aides to guide students through their curriculum
• Pennway Alternative School follows the Penn High School calendar.
• Pennway Alternative School is located on Bittersweet Road north of Schmucher Middle School
• Guidance Counselors at Penn High School visit Pennway on a regular basis to do academic advising with their students

 
Facts about the Pennway ninth and tenth grade division: 

• Ninth and tenth grade Pennway students are bused to school on a separate bus route. Ninth and tenth grade students are not allowed to drive to school. 
• The school day is from 9:30 to 1:30 p.m. No lunch is served.

Facts about the Pennway eleventh and twelfth  grade division: 

• Students are not bused.  Students must provide their own transportation.
• This Division has an A.M. session and a P.M. session.
• Students are assigned to one session based on space available.
• The A.M. session is from 8:00 to 10:45
• The P.M. session is from 12:15 to 3:00
• Students in the 11-12 division must have a job, a volunteer position or attend the Elkhart Area Career Center
• Students who fail to comply will not be able to continue at Pennway Alternative School