The Daviess County Public Schools Board of Education has announced the name of the district’s alternative high school following a unanimous vote during a special meeting on August 6.
Heritage Park High School is located at 3361 Buckland Square, which is in the Heritage Park development of Owensboro. The program replaces the former Beacon Central High School, which moved to the current location in January 2015. DCPS bought the 6.362-acre former Daymar College campus in 2014 for $2.4 million.
Heritage Park High School will open Wednesday, Aug. 12, with a projected enrollment of 165 students in grades 10-12. Smaller class sizes allow individualized learning pathways and high-quality direct instruction in a student-centered environment. Mentoring and one-on-one supports are an integral part of the Heritage Park experience, with a focus on leadership development and community service. The school will provide an encouraging atmosphere for healthy living, physical fitness, and the development of personal confidence, skill and self-advocacy.
Alternative high school director Michelle Ruckdeschel said, “We are ecstatic with the choice of Heritage Park as the name for our high school. It is a classy and distinguished reflection of our beautiful new location, and is especially exciting for our students because we are implementing many positive and innovative strategies with the new program. Our new name truly reflects a new beginning for our school.”
The innovative education model also offers a credit recovery center with extended hours; and College and Career Readiness programs with individualized support for each student, as well as real-world work and field experiences.
“We are proud to introduce Heritage Park High School as a place where students will learn and graduate with experience and confidence, ready to succeed at college, with a family-sustainable career and in life,” said DCPS Superintendent Owens Saylor.
