News Photo by Julie Goldberg Homeschooled students work on computers at Sunset Elementary School on Tuesday. School officials would not allow students’ faces to show in the photo because of privacy reasons with the student and their families.

ALPENA — Alpena Public Schools has opened the doors to the former Sunset Elementary School for homeschool students to take classes and gain experience they might not be able to take at home.

The Alpena Family Partnership Program started this school year with 115 homeschool students in grades kindergarten through 12th grade. The program is for any homeschooler who lives in Alpena, Alcona, Montmorency, Cheboygan, Presque Isle, Otsego, Crawford, Oscoda, Ogemaw, Roscommon, and Iosco counties.

Through the program, homeschool students can take online-based elective classes. Jen Myers, director of the program, said classes are held in the building or around the community, depending on the subject. There are also optional learning experiences offered weekly to supplement online learning.

“It’s a launching pad for them to be able to also utilize other programs within our district,” Myers said.

Myers said the students and parents in the program are excited about the opportunities that are available.

“It’s great for them to get together with other kids to have gym class or art class or a music class, electives that would be important to them that maybe they wouldn’t get otherwise in a homeschool experience,” Myers said.

Next year, APS Superintendent John VanWagoner said they’re hoping to offer Career and Technical Education classes so they can offer a variety of classes for students

Since the program is a family program, the district does not provide transportation. If a student needs to go to Plaza Pool at Alpena High School for a swimming class, their mom or dad can drive them, or they carpool with other families, Myers said.

APS Superintendent John VanWagoner said the learning experiences are all optional for the students. He said if a traditional student in the district wants to participate, there is transportation available for them.

Sunset closed in June 2010 because of declining enrollment, but the homeschool program allows APS to use the building.

“It’s helpful to have the building back up and running,” VanWagoner said.

Myers said people have stopped by and said that they’re happy to see Sunset up and running after being closed for so long. She said it’s a positive thing because experts are able to come and share their knowledge with the students.

“It’s a positive thing for our district and community,” VanWagoner said.

Julie Goldberg can be reached at 989-358-5688 or jgoldberg@thealpenanews.com. Follow her on Twitter @jkgoldberg12.