RIVER FALLS — The Renaissance Charter Academy has been a part of River Falls for about 20 years. They broke ground for a new building in 2022 and Principal Peggy Webb is entering her second year of leading the way, with things looking nothing but up for the school.

The school offers a mirrored curriculum to that of the high school, with the difference being significantly smaller classes with an average class size of 12. Webb said the school has ebbed and flowed over its 20 years to fit the needs of alternative education for students. Now, they have a science lab and technical education shop, opportunities to earn college credit and work with the high school to continue to give their students all the same opportunities to participate in athletics, the arts and classes when interested.

“It’s been a long time in the waiting,” Webb said.

Webb wants the school to be a place where students always feel comfortable showing up to learn. Through later hours than other schools and other decisions, Renaissance increased attendance from 88% to 92% a year ago.

“Helping students find their success,” Webb said. “Sometimes we have students who never have found success in other academic settings… Sometimes, when you get behind in something, you never feel like you can recover. Here at the academy, we have the ability to provide the support and structure so that everybody feels like they can be successful when they come here.”

The school has 39 students as the year gets underway, but they average about 65 students. Renaissance frequently grows in enrollment as the year goes on with students from the high school looking for something different.

Webb is in year two as principal, taught at the school for seven years and taught in Plum City for 15 more.

“The biggest thing I learned is you need to listen to all of the stakeholders, and that includes students, families, colleagues, other administration, the community,” Webb said. “You have to listen to what everybody has a perception of so that you can best make really good decisions for the betterment of the program, betterment of students and for the betterment of the River Falls School District.”

Students at the school have the opportunity to earn a high school diploma all the same while learning in an environment they find more comfortable.

“We know that not everybody learns the same, so it’s really nice to have another opportunity for a student to find their academic success,” Webb said.

They also want teachers to be people the students can go to with questions or even just for someone to talk to.

“As many people know, if a student doesn’t like a teacher but loves the content, they won’t learn the content as well,” Webb said. “But if a student loves the teacher but hates the content, they’ll still work really hard.”

Webb said they welcome people from neighboring communities or the River Falls School District to enroll, and they are always willing to answer any questions.