Students and parents at three Highline high schools should have a better idea in a few weeks about what will be offered in the district’s planned small learning communities.

“By the end of the month, we will have clarity,” district spokeswoman Catherine Carbone Rogers promised last week.

The district is breaking up its high schools into smaller learning communities within the larger campuses.

District officials believe the reform will make instruction more personal, leading to higher academic success and fewer dropouts, especially among low income and immigrant youth.

Students would be take classes with the same group of classmates and teachers.

The Tyee campus in SeaTac switched to three learning communities last September.

Reports are due to senior administrators this week from staffers at Evergreen, Highline and Mt. Rainier high schools on their plans.

Superintendent John Welch told school board members Feb. 8 that he probably will send a letter to all parents in the district explaining the changes.

More information will also be offered in the district’s March newsletter and updated Web site: www.hsd401.org.

The board will hold a study session on high school reform Wednesday, Feb. 22, at Midway Elementary School, 22447 24th Ave. S. in Des Moines. The public session will be held following the board’s 5:30 p.m. meeting.

Students and parents are anxious for details on small schools plans because March 15 is the deadline for school transfer requests.

Rogers said the deadlines are flexible for choosing among small learning communities within the larger campuses.

At the Feb. 8 meeting, Highline High parent Meg VanWyk told board members she is “frustrated and confused” by plans for the small learning communities.

VanWyk speaks frequently at board members as a representative of the Highline Council of PTAs.

However, she emphasized this time, she was talking as the mother of a Highline High junior, who will only need two more credits as a senior to graduate.

She said she fears the elective courses he wants to take will not be available in the next school year.

She quoted Dr. Rick Lear from the Coalition of Essential Schools as advocating “shrinking curriculum” as part of the small schools concept.

Rogers responded later that the district’s plans will not be decided by outside experts, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which awarded the district a $5 million grant for high school redesign.

The district’s concept for small communities assures students will be well known and teachers will take responsibility for their students’ education, according to Rogers.

“In this environment, there may not be a vast variety, but we are committed to getting each student ready for a four-year college.”

Rogers added the course offerings will reflect the high school requirements sought by colleges.

“While there will be electives, students don’t need wood shop to get into the University of Washington,” Rogers noted.

Eric Mathison can be reached at hteditor@robinsonnews.com or 206.388-1855.