MLO High School

Mead Learning Options High School (formerly Five Mile High School) is undergoing some program changes for the 2025-2026 school year. We believe this new model will foster greater student success by promoting skill-area focus, balance, and mastery of core skills while still allowing for student-centered pacing. The program provides a small school culture with a special schedule offering flexibility for students and families. There is an emphasis on independent learning and self-advocacy with parental support. Certificated teachers provide instruction and student success depends heavily on this ongoing partnership between the school, students, and parents. More information can be found below, including a link to the informational meeting held June 2025.

MLO High School Schedule Changes 2025-26

Mission Statement
To ensure all students learn at high levels.

Vision Statement
If we are on mission, our policies, programs, and practices at Mead Learning Options reflect a commitment to help all students learn at high levels. Students do their coursework with integrity, earn satisfactory progress and high school credits where applicable.

We operate under the authority of the State of Washington and the laws pursuant to an alternative learning experience (ALE, WAC 392-121-182). Our Mead Learning Options programs take our responsibility for helping students reach their learning goals and objectives very seriously.

If you have any questions about Mead Learning Options or our Five Mile Secondary programs, please call us a 509-465-7700. We look forward to working with you and your child.

Who is a good fit for MLO High School?

Students who are best served in this setting:

Students who benefit from the structure of a classroom.
Students needing smaller classrooms, support and an encouraging environment
Students with parents who support teacher-instructed academics
Students who want to earn a Mead School District diploma
Students who are a good fit for Running Start or Skills Center (11th or 12th grade)

Families best served at MLO Secondary:

Families who want a strong content focus
Families who need flexibility in their schedule.

Students who struggle with defiance, aggression, and/or leaving a classroom setting without permission are not a good fit for this program.

Role of the Parent

Role of the Mentor Teacher

Each student has many teachers and one advisor assigned.
In a once-per-month advisory class with a caseload of students, advisors check grades and progress in all subjects, including off-site courses, submitting monthly reports as per the Washington State alternative education law.
Advisors assign, communicate, and implement interventions when needed.

Role of the Student

Students are the purpose of our community. But they also play an important part in building our community’s culture. We ask four things of our students:

Be kind. Everyone who walks through our doors, is expected to always treat others with kindness.
Give your best effort. We don’t expect students to be perfect or have all the right answers. But we do expect you to try their best in everything you do.
Respond quickly to adult requests for cooperation and participation. If any adult in our program asks any student to cooperate, we need to know you will follow directions quickly and without argument.
Be responsible for our space and your belongings. Keep track of stuff, clean up afterwards and help beautify our surroundings.

These four guidelines help create a harmonious learning environment for all of our students.

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