The first half of the Albert Lea Area Learning Center’s first year at Riverland Community College has been a success, according to school officials.

“It’s had a positive effect on students,” Principal Tonya Prouty said.

Prouty said the move from Brookside Education Center was made so students could collaborate with varying agencies, including Riverland Community College and Workforce Development Center. The Albert Lea school board approved the move in May, and school started in the new location in September.

Prouty said the college environment has allowed ALC students to see that they are making choices bigger than a high school diploma.

The move has also allowed the students to establish role models by seeing former classmates and other Riverland students in a college environment and seeing them make choices to further their education beyond a high school diploma, she said.

“In our classrooms, this means students are grasping the importance of engagement and making regular progress,” Prouty said.

The ALC is in a hallway on the northwest side of the Riverland campus. It consists of five classrooms: one for math, one for english, a shared classroom for science and social studies and office space.

English Teacher Paula Olson agreed.

“I think this move has been a positive move for our students,” Olson said. “Being on a college campus gives our students a sense of the importance education plays in their lives. They see adults continuing their education, and it gets them thinking about their future careers and what they need to do to achieve those goals.”

There are 84 students enrolled in ALC.

Prouty said the school has long-term goals.

“We’re really working toward student engagement, responsible, respectful learners that are engaged,” Prouty said.