ALC celebrates 4,000th graduate
by Jim Maurice, WJON.com

ST. CLOUD -- The 4,000th diploma was recently handed-out at the St. Cloud Area School District's Alternative Learning Center.

The program started with 16 graduates back in 1969, and has since grown to average about 200 a year now.

A-L-C counselor Jeni Schad says they accept students from several area districts, but they do have to meet some requirements before they're accepted.  She says they have to be referred to the program through a high school counselor, and they have to meet at least one of their "at-risk" criteria.

The St. Cloud Area Alternative Learning Program is one of the bigger ones in the state. They offer four different programs at two separate sites -- A-L-C Wilson and the McKinley Education Center.