Two Northern Kentucky regional alternative schools, which have been growing since they opened a few years ago, are expanding again next year to make room for even more students.

        The Learning Academy and the Phoenix School, which deal with students with behavioral problems who are unable to function in mainstream schools, are adding staff and classes as more school districts join the programs.

        “We're maxed out,” said Dan Sullivan, superintendent of Newport Independent Schools, which oversees the Learning Academy.

        The Learning Academy has more than 80 students, with a dozen more on a waiting list. Phoenix School in Cold Spring, has about 20 students, with more than 40 expected this fall.

        The academy wants to add at least two classes, creating space for 34 more students. The Phoenix School also hopes to add two more classes. Both programs will take their expansion proposals to the Northern Kentucky Cooperative for Educational Services in April for ap proval.

        Eleven of Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties' 14 school districts pool their money to operate the programs. Both were started through the educational cooperative for the region's smaller districts that didn't have the resources to run their own alternative programs.

        The other three districts — Boone County, Covington and Kenton County — have their own alternative schools. However, the academy is talking to those districts about forming partnerships.

        Covington and Pendleton County Schools are joining the Phoenix program next year.

        Phoenix School, a more restrictive setting than the academy, works with special-education students with emotional or behavioral troubles in elementary, middle and high schools.

        Phoenix, housed in the Cold Spring Educational Facility, opened in fall 1998 with three students, but now has room for 32. Districts pay $12,000 to $13,000 for each student.

        Students get group therapy and individual counseling, in addition to their academics. Most classes have six to eight students, some as few as three.

        The Learning Academy opened four years ago in Newport with 30 middle and high school students from eight districts. It later added sites in Cold Spring and Erlanger and now serves fourth- through 12th-grade students.

        Districts paid $20,000 plus $1,650 for each student this year to run the academy. Costs fluctuate from year to year.

        The academy works with students who have had behavioral, emotional or academic problems at their schools. The school is a good alternative to suspensions or expulsions, academy Director Demetria Choice said.

        “We get students who haven't even been to school half the year but they come to us because of the small numbers we serve,” she said. “Without all the hustle and bustle, they feel more comfortable.”

        The average class has 15 students. Most students stay at the school one to two semesters. Then academy counselors help them transition back to their home schools.

        “Our goal is not only preparing them academically, but we prepare them to along in society so they can make it once they leave us,” Ms. Choice said.

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