Crossroads/Open Doors program reports enrollment gains and expanded career pathways

Bridget McVay, who presented the Crossroads/Open Doors report to the Granite Falls School District board, said the alternative program is growing and showing early academic progress for students who had previously disengaged. "Over the last 3 months, we had 55 IAPs earn," she told the board, referring to indicators of academic progress used to count students for funding.

McVay said Crossroads serves a diverse group of secondary students, many of whom work full time or are parents, and that the program accepts students ages 16 to 21 who are roughly 65–75% behind in credits. She reported 210 students at Crossroads: 133 from Granite Falls, 69 from Lake Stevens, and 8 transfers from outside the district. "Open Doors is not going to be as much of a diploma program," she said; the district views it primarily as a GED-plus pathway while retaining options for students who want to continue toward a high-school diploma.

The presentation listed outcomes the board highlighted: about 30 GED completions this year so far, a recent uptick in MAPS growth in reading and math, and improved ELA and science results compared with earlier years. McVay also described supports inside Crossroads: daily math tutoring, case managers who connect students to worksite learning and unions, and intensive mental-health screening and referral work tied to a suicide-prevention grant.

Board members asked for follow-up details, including how many Crossroads seniors were on track to graduate, whether students could earn multiple IAPs in a quarter, and what portion of the program’s high homeless count reflected Granite Falls residents versus transfers. McVay said she would check the data and report back to the board. The board praised the program’s CTE expansion and new grants, including a $45,000 CASE Foundation grant to support greenhouse, power and water infrastructure, and CTE facility needs.