BOE Approves Name Change For District School

The Haysville USD 261 Board of Education recently approved the name change of the Haysville Alternative High School (HAHS) to Haysville High School (HHS). The requested name change stemmed from the very purpose of the school which is to give district high school students an opportunity.
“Many people confuse the semantics of the word alternative,” said Mark Foster, Haysville High School Assistant Principal. “Our diploma is not an alternative diploma, but a fully accredited diploma which actually exceeds the requirements imposed by the Kansas State Board of Education.”
Foster noted that many people think that an alternative school awards an alternative diploma (meaning something less than what is required by the state).
“Our diploma has always read Haysville High School for this very reason,” Foster explained. “However, whenour students apply for jobs, the military, and post-secondary opportunities there is much ambiguity on the part of prospective employers, the military, and institutions of higher learning. “
Foster believes in the past, the confusion over the school name and diploma awarded has cost his students opportunities they have worked very hard to be equally entitled to compete for without prejudice.
“Our students earned the right to be considered for these opportunities on an equal level with students from other schools. Our teachers are part of Professional Learning Communities, by department, at Campus High School and we have a common curriculum and common assessments,” Foster affirmed.
Haysville High School graduation rate and state assessment scores are included with those of Campus High School, but disaggregated are on par with those of CHS and surrounding schools in this area.
Foster is passionate about the name change and the positive impact on our students who deserve equal opportunity.
“I am very grateful to this community, Campus High School, the Haysville Public School Central Office, and our Board of Education for the tremendous support we had for our request. Many of our students have gone on to achieve success in technical
programs, junior colleges, four-year state universities, and the United States military. We will continue to advocate for our district students to have equal opportunity in all of their endeavors.”