Diploma On is not a school or a place, but rather a service to engage students in their education. Our Diploma On Coordinators work with students, their families, and their schools to re-engage unenrolled students into school settings that meet their individual needs. This is a voluntary and free service for students and families.

​​We are based in Intermediate District 287 and the following member districts participate in our program: Brooklyn Center, Eden Prairie, Edina, Hopkins, Osseo, Orono, Richfield, St. Louis Park, Robbinsdale, Wayzata, and Westonka and 287 ALCs (Gateway, NECA, SECA, WALT)

Diploma On Referral Form

Diploma On Brochure
Eligibility


Part of District 287's member districts (either residing in, was attending school at)

Have dropped out of school

Have been dropped from a school district and have not re-enrolled

Have been excluded and/or expelled from a school

 

Support

Find program options that fit student needs;

Meet student through intake process;

Navigate the educational, county, medical, and mental health systems;

Act as an advocate, resource & referral;

Improve students' relationships with staff within the school;

Implement a graduation plan that is achievable and sustainable; and

Create a post-secondary plan.

Our Mission

The goal of Diploma On is to reduce barriers for students and increase graduation rates by contacting students previously dropped from their school programs and inviting them back to school.

History of Diploma On

Diploma On was created by school social worker Alexia Poppy-Finley in the spring of 2012 in response to Hennepin County public school superintendents' concern with increasing dropout rates. It was initially part of the Achieving Graduation by Reducing Achievement Disparities (A-GRAD) initiative.

In April of 2012, Diploma On started its pilot program with Brooklyn Center and St. Louis Park. The following school year (SY 12-13), Hopkins and Osseo joined the project. Eden Prairie, Mound-Westonka, Orono, Richfield, Robbinsdale, and Wayzata joined a year later (SY 13-14). Diploma On has also added a collaboration with Minnesota Visiting Nurses Association (MVNA) and Bloomington Public Health, in addition to our own Area Learning Centers.

Diploma On is supervised by Tonya Allen, MSW, LICSW, Ed.S. from District 287. It is financed by Local Collaborative Time Study (LCTS) funds allocated by District 287 through its member districts.