Alpine Academy, the first charter high school in Sparks, will have 120 students who will enjoy what spokesman Michael Bradley called “a more personalized experience.”

“It’s a smaller school with smaller class sizes,” Alpine Academy founder Jill Petersen said. “Teachers only have 22 (students) in each class, so they’ll be a lot more hands-on.”

Smaller class sizes are what separate the new school, which is still accepting enrollments, from other schools in the area.

“In some other schools in the county, there are as many as 35 students per classroom,” Bradley said. “The school has come at a good time, since Nevada has one of the lowest graduation rates in the country. Sixty-three percent of students in Washoe County don’t graduate.”

Though the school’s enrollment is small, Bradley hopes the Alpine Academy will have a high graduation rate.

“We’re not even scratching the surface since we can only accept that amount (120), but we want all of our students to succeed,” Bradley said.

Concerning the academics, Alpine Academy will have the same curriculum as other Washoe County schools.

“Credits that students earn from other schools are transferable since our curriculum is aligned with Washoe County’s curriculum,” Bradley said.

While the curriculum and calendar are the same for Alpine Academy as other high schools, the new charter school differs in that it offers Microsoft certifications as well as vocational classes in business, marketing and other areas.

“Students will be better prepared to get a job out of high school,” Bradley said. “We also offer classes to prepare students for college if they want to continue their education after they graduate.”

“Students can also earn college credit while they’re attending Alpine Academy,” Petersen added.

Students are given a portfolio once they graduate that includes their grades and any of their accomplishments including volunteer work on community projects and awards for student of the month.

“We turn their portfolio into a resume when the students are going to graduate,” Bradley said. “That way, students who want to find a job after finishing high school will be well prepared.”

The school is located on Sparks Boulevard and Prater Way and is set to open in mid-August. Classes will begin on Aug. 31, along with other Washoe County high schools.

The school is still enrolling students and currently has 85 students enrolled. To enroll or for more information, e-mail alpineacademychs@yahoo.com or call 240-3050.