Three Rivers Partnership

Three Rivers Partnership is a collaboration between parents, students, the local school district, and the community. We aim to provide dynamic and enriching, supplemental educational opportunities for homeschooled and privately schooled students. Our classes are also available to traditional students enrolled in Three Rivers Community Schools.

Parents (and private schools) are still the primary educators, but students enroll part-time with Three Rivers Community Schools and can access some of their tax dollars to take electives for free. All electives are virtual learning experiences with optional, real-world applications offered by approved, community experts. Students can enroll in dual enrollment and join us on discovery educational excursions.

Please click the sections below for more detailed information. If you would like to discuss our programs further, or if you are interested in becoming a participating community expert/partner, please contact Kerrie Bass, TR Partnership Director at 269-279-1130 Option 5.

Three Rivers Partnership Student Handbook

Requirements

This program is available to any student in the Three Rivers Community School District, home school students, and private school students grades K-12 whose residence is in Michigan.
Students may not be enrolled in any other public school or online public school program.
Students must be five by September 1 of the school year. (Waivers available for consideration if five by December 1)
Parents must complete all registration forms.
Parents must provide two forms of proof of residency and the student’s official birth certificate.
A maximum of 4 elective courses (plus Discovery excursions) total per student is allowed.
Students must participate in state count days (October and February) as appropriate.

Class Information

All courses offered through the Partnership are virtual. Each course is taken through a digital learning environment that is delivered in an electronic format. A Certified Teacher of Record is appointed to each course and all students have a mentor assigned to them for support. Most of these virtual courses also offer optional, extended learning opportunities through approved community experts, on and off campus. Many of our community experts also offer asynchronous e-learning. For a list of approved community experts and for more information regarding asynchronous learning options, please contact Kerrie Bass at (269) 279-1130 Option 5.

2026-2027 Course Catalog and Community Experts

For Course Syllabi and Kit information, please contact Kerrie Bass, TR Partnership Coordinator at 269-279-1130 Option 5.

Community

Three Rivers Partnership offers in-person experiences and opportunities off campus with approved community experts. We are blessed with a very rich, diverse community to learn from and are rapidly expanding our community-based learning opportunities to reflect this diversity. Community learning opportunities offered through the Three Rivers Partnership do not include transportation to and from the location; you must provide your own transportation.

Online

Three Rivers Partnership also partners with Michigan Virtual for extended online courses. These courses do not offer optional, extended learning opportunities through approved community partners, but provide comprehensive, rigorous content.

Dual Enrollment Information

Also known as the Postsecondary Options Act, gives high school students in public schools or state-approved non-public schools the opportunity to enroll in college courses while attending high school. When all criteria identified by the state are met, the student’s college tuition, applicable fees, and textbook costs may be paid by the school district.

Dual Enrollment Guidelines:

Students may take a maximum of 10 Dual Enrollment classes during their high school years.
Limited to core classes, non elective. No religious, craft/hobby, phys. ed or remedial courses may be taken as Dual Enrollment.
Parents are responsible for all costs of the class if the student fails or doesn’t complete the class.
Tuition and fees are billed directly to the district. Anything above the budgeted amount is the parent’s responsibility.
Each participating college has its own forms and guidelines; follow the links for more information.
Students must be enrolled in one concurrent class in the Partnership.
Student must complete all applicable forms and meet with the College and Career Services Coordinator at their college of choice. Contact Kerrie Bass, Kerrie Bass, TR Partnership Coordinator, at (269) 279-1130 Option 5 to set this up.

Though a total of 10 Dual Enrollment Classes are allowed during a student’s High School career, there are guidelines based on grade level of the student entering the program.

9th Grade – Limited to 2 classes 9th grade year, 2 classes 10th grade year, 2 classes 11th grade year and 4 classes 12th grade year.
10th Grade – Limited to 2 classes 10th grade year, 4 classes 11th grade year and 4 classes 12th grade year.
11th or 12 Grade – Limited to not more the 6 courses during either of those years but not to exceed a total of 10.
All students must agree to the Dual Enrollment Student/Parent Contract (see below).
- Dual Enrollment Student/Parent Contract English
- Dual Enrollment Student/Parent Contract Spanish

For additional information about dual enrollment guidelines for specific schools, follow the links below. To set up a meeting with the College and Career Services Coordinator, contact Kerrie Bass, TR Partnership Coordinator, at (269) 279-1130 Option 5.

If you don’t see the Michigan college you are looking for, please inquire about adding it.

Online Classes

Three Rivers Partnership offers online courses to all full-time district and home-schooled and private-schooled students looking for virtual options for non-essential courses.

Guidelines

Only electives and semester-long courses may be selected.
All AP courses count as electives and may be selected. You must indicate if you want to take the AP test when you enroll.
All online classes can be completed ahead of time, but have deadlines. Online classes can be worked on at home or in a library.
Online classes are available for grades K-12.
Every student taking an online class will be assigned a mentor or teacher of record who will communicate with them about the progress and content of their online class.

You can access course offerings in the Class Information section of this website.

Orientation

Special Education

Students who are eligible for special education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) should contact their district of residence regarding any special education programs and/or services for which they may be entitled. For more information about the rights of students with disabilities and special education service programs offered, please visit the St Joseph County ISD.

Auxiliary services are available to families who are homeschooling under the nonpublic school option. State law entitles nonpublic school students to access auxiliary services on an equal basis with public school students. These include health and nursing services and examinations, street crossing guard services, national defense education act testing services, teacher speech and language services, school social work services, school psychological services, teacher consultant services for students with a disability and other ancillary services for students with a disability, and remedial reading.

When you enroll your child in a NONPUBLIC school: Your child does not have a right to a FAPE and does not have an IEP in a nonpublic school. Some services (such as speech or physical therapy) may be provided through a nonpublic services plan but the services provided may be less than what your child would receive in a public school. The services are determined through a process between the public school district and the nonpublic schools, based on the required share of federal funding and the needs of the student. The services are provided by the public school district. Nonpublic schools are not bound by special education law.

Even when your child is in a nonpublic school, the public school district is responsible for your child’s evaluation for special education. If you request a special education evaluation, the public school district must get your consent and then begin the evaluation process. If your child is determined eligible and enrolls in a public school, he or she will receive a FAPE and an IEP. If your child stays in a nonpublic school, he or she might receive services through a nonpublic services plan.

When a child is enrolled in a nonpublic school by the parents, the public school district’s obligations are different than for children enrolled in public schools. Eligible students in public schools receive individualized special education programs and services through an IEP. Eligible students who attend nonpublic schools receive services through a nonpublic services plan.

A nonpublic school is not operated by a public school district. Nonpublic schools may be religion-based, private, or a home school. Eligible students in a nonpublic school may still receive some special education services.

It is recommended the parent first submit a completed Nonpublic School Membership Report to MDE if special education services will be requested. See the link below.

Homeschool Registration Form