08/20/2026
Starting this fall- a new tuition-free high school option in South Whidbey.
Market Square Education (MSE) has provided alternative learning options for students since 2008 and started serving the South Whidbey community in 2019.
MSEW is offering an in-person, high school Alternative Learning Experience (ALE) program for our community. To start, students can choose from part-time to full-time in the program, complete online coursework with individualized support, and participate in an in-person learning community at MSE Whidbey 2–3 days per week for approximately four hours per day.
As this opportunity has come together only a few weeks before school begins, we’re starting with something we know we can begin quickly. If there is sufficient interest, the program can grow and evolve based on what our community students and families need.
Interested? Come learn more.
Parent Information Meeting — Monday, August 24, 6:30 pm at 4777 Commercial St , Clinton (same complex as Foodmart).
We’ll share how the program works, answer questions, talk about enrollment, and hear from families about what they would most value in a new high school alternative. We can add additional meetings if needed.
How did we get here?
MSEW offered a private high school program last year. Through that experience and conversations with local families, we heard a consistent message: families wanted a small, flexible, individualized learning environment, but many wanted that option available through public education rather than private tuition.
MSE is committed to working with local districts and community resources whenever possible by complementing the educational opportunities already available. At times, however, local collaboration may not be possible.
This tuition-free alternative high school option is available to students. Curlew School District offers this ALE program under contract with Market Square Education. Participating students will complete a choice transfer to the Curlew SD while receiving local, in-person support through MSE Whidbey.
What will the program look like at first?
To begin, MSEW can offer:
• Part- to full-time enrollment in a public high school ALE program
• Online coursework with individualized academic support
• An in-person learning community 2–3 days per week, approximately four hours per day
• A small, flexible environment where students can build relationships, receive support, and experience more individualization than a fully online program provides
If there is sufficient interest, the program could evolve to include additional in-person time, direct instruction, math and/or science support, project-based learning, community-based learning, workshops, more grade levels, or other programming shaped by the needs and interests of participating students and families.
Our intention is not to recreate what already exists locally, but to offer another pathway for students whose needs may be better met in a smaller, more flexible learning environment.
One important enrollment consideration: dual enrollment between South Whidbey High School and another ALE program is not currently an option. Students currently enrolled at SWSD’s high school are welcome to explore MSEW as an alternative pathway, but MSEW ALE courses cannot be added alongside an existing SWSD high school schedule.
Please share this with other Whidbey families who may be looking for a different high school option. The more we understand about what students and families need, the better we can shape what MSE Whidbey becomes.
If you’re interested in attending the August 24 information meeting, exploring enrollment, or simply learning more, contact us at:
[email protected].
