W-ALT-IS

**W-ALT-IS** (often referred to as the West-Alternative Intermediate School) is a specialized educational program operating under the umbrella of **Intermediate District 287**, a collaborative district serving suburban school districts in the west metro area of Minneapolis/St. Paul. The school is specifically designed to support students who require a non-traditional learning environment. It focuses on providing intensive academic and social-emotional support for students who may have struggled in mainstream high school settings due to behavioral challenges, trauma, or credit deficiencies.

The program at W-ALT-IS emphasizes a highly structured, relationship-based approach to education. By maintaining smaller class sizes and utilizing a multidisciplinary team—which often includes social workers, behavioral specialists, and licensed teachers—the school creates a therapeutic environment tailored to individual student needs. The ultimate goal of the program is to provide students with the necessary tools for credit recovery, social skill development, and personal growth, preparing them either for a successful transition back to their home district or for high school graduation and post-secondary planning.