The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) is proud to announce the selection of several alternative education programs across the Commonwealth as 2025 Programs of Distinction. These programs have demonstrated exceptional commitment to student success through innovative and effective practices, personalized learning and strong community partnerships.
The Program of Distinction designation honors alternative education programs that go above and beyond in meeting the diverse needs of students who may not thrive in traditional school settings. Selected programs have shown measurable success in areas identified as part of the Alternative Education Program Quality Indicators Rubric.
Alternative education plays a vital role in ensuring every student in Kentucky has access to a meaningful and supportive learning experience. These Programs of Distinction exemplify what’s possible when educators are empowered to meet students where they are and help them reach their full potential.
The 2025 Alternative Education Programs of Distinction include:
- Corbin Educational Center, Corbin Independent Schools;
- Hopkins County Day Treatment, Hopkins County Schools;
- Regional School Programs, Dayton Independent Schools;
- Shelby Academy, Shelby County Public Schools;
- The Learning Center, Fayette County Public Schools; and
- The Providence School, Jessamine County Schools.
Each program underwent a rigorous review process, including site visits, data analysis and stakeholder interviews. Selected programs will receive a monetary award from KDE for instructional support and will serve as models for other districts seeking to strengthen their alternative education offerings.
KDE recognized the honorees at Feb. 4-5 Kentucky Board of Education meeting and will share best practices from these programs through professional learning opportunities statewide.
KDE began highlighting exemplary practices in alternative education programs in 2009. There are currently 219 alternative education programs across the Commonwealth that provide services to students with a variety of unique needs, as well as youth who are considered state agency children through the Kentucky Educational Collaborative for State Agency Children, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Department of Community Based Services and/or the Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities.
For more information about Kentucky’s alternative education initiatives, visit KDE’s Alternative Education Programs webpage.
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