Manhattan Open Door is an adult dropout recovery program. Adults who have not completed their high school education or earned a Kansas High School Diploma (GED) are encouraged to enroll in the program. When a student enrolls, a copy of his most recent high school transcript for any previously earned credits from a state accredited school is requested. Upon receipt of the transcript(s), an analysis of the credits earned is completed and an individual Graduation Action Plan (GAP) that outlines the credits necessary to earn a Manhattan High School (MHS) diploma is developed. Only the remaining credits needed for MHS graduation requirements are what a student will need to complete at Open Door. Previously earned credits do not have to be completed again, regardless of how long it has been since they were earned. Students will have some online and some offline work in each course that they are enrolled. Generally, a students will be enrolled in one to three courses at a time.

The enrollment fee for the current school year at Open Door is $25.00.

No. Open Door is a self-paced adult education program with flexible hours to accommodate the schedules of students who have work and family obligations. Some contracted students will be required to work a specified number of hours, but rate of progress in the program is dependent on each individual: his regular attendance, his academic abilities, and his motivation.

Since Open Door is a program of USD 383 Manhattan-Ogden, it adheres to the same graduation requirements as Manhattan High School. Manhattan High School requires 24 credits for graduation which are broken down as follows: English/Language Arts (4 credits) Mathematics (3 credits) Science (3 credits) Social Science (3 credits) Physical Education (2 credits) Fine Arts (1 credit) Electives (8 credits) Exception apply for students who have been or are in foster care.

Students enrolled at Open Door are active in USD 383 Manhattan-Ogden. Upon completion of the required credits, an Open Door student will receive a Manhattan High School diploma.

Open Door is located in the Manhattan Workforce Center building at 205 South Fourth Street, Suite F. This building is located on Fourth Street on the east side of the street between Houston and Pierre. Another landmark in the area is that Open Door is just a block west of the Towne Center Mall.

Prospective students can begin the enrollment process as of August 1st of each school year by completing an application form and paying a small enrollment fee. However, a student must meet the basic guidelines of 1) being 18 years old and 2) his cohort group/class should have graduated. Enrollment of new students ends April 15th for each academic year. If a student does not meet the criteria outlined above (due to age), then he will have to complete the application form as well as a Review Board form and be approved by the Open Door Review Board. For a prospective student to be considered by the Review Board, he must be at least 16 years of age and should have already earned 17 high school credits. NO STUDENTS UNDER THE AGE OF 16 WILL BE ACCEPTED. Out of district students will rarely be accepted; this is especially true after the September 20th count date. The Review Board only meets once per month, so an applicant may have to wait until the next meeting to find out if he has been accepted to Open Door.. A school-age student should remain in school until a decision is rendered by the Open Door Review Board.

A cohort group is defined by the No Child Left Behind legislation as a group of students who enter the 9th grade together and, by law, have eight semesters to complete their high school education and graduate. Thus, from the time a student starts during his 9th grade year he will be a member of that cohort group for the next eight semesters( i.e. 4 years), whether he is in school or not. If, at the end of the eight semesters, a student has not graduated then he is classified as a nongraduate and counts against the dropout rate for that cohort group. The federal government created a strict definition of the cohort group in order to hold schools accountable for all students and not allow students to "fall through the cracks" or be "left behind."

Open Door uses the A+ Learning System software. It is an online learning system that allows students to work at their own pace through the lessons. Each course has an online component and the majority also have offline learning activities, such as written reports, reading and research projects. The offline work is often taylored to the student's interests. There are usually some choices allowed for these curricular requirements. Open Door staff will work with and support students as they work through course assignments.

Yes. Open Door generally closes after graduation ceremonies in mid-June. Enrollment for the next academic year will begin on or around August 1 with students able to begin coursework on a designated date in the second week of August.

Yes. No additional college courses are required for military enlistment. However, several of the military branches will request potential recruits to take the ASVAB exam and pass it. Students interested in military enlistment will be encouraged to visit with a recruiter.

Yes, there is a dress code at Open Door. It follows the Manhattan High School dress code and adhers to the MHS and Open Door Handbook guidelines. Basically, students are expected to dress appropriately and to abide by the standards of decency and good taste. Conservatism is preferred Shirts and shoes must be worn at all times. Items that are prohibited include, but are not limited to those which 1) advocate or encourage violence, including the possession of bandannas, 2) promote the use of alcoholic beverages, drugs, or other illegal substances, 3) contain profanity or indecent language, pictures, or symbols, 4) demean or ridicule others, including sexually suggestive or racially offensive material, 5) are indecent because of the cut or style of the garment or the way the garment is worn or fits the individual. The Open Door staff or school administration reserves the right to make all judgement determinations. For anyone unable to abide by the above guidelines and or other handbook policies, he may be asked to go home, to turn a clothing item inside out, or to put on more appropriate clothing offered by the administration. Repeated offenses will constitute other consequences which may include suspension or expulsion. It is sincerely hoped that other disciplinary means will not be required as it is our desire to help every student improve his educational status which will assist with future life successes.

If qualified, volunteer applicants are found to assist Open Door students, they will be utilitzed. If interested in volunteering, contact Open Door personnel at 785.539.5928 for a volunteer application.