The SOAR (Supporting Opportunities for Achievement and Resilience) Program is an Alternative Learning Opportunities Placement (ALOP) model allowing students to remain at their home school and designed to support students in grades 4–12 who need additional academic, attendance, or social-emotional support. Through individualized student success plans, 1-1 and group mentoring, progress monitoring, and strong family engagement, SOAR meets students where they are and walks alongside them to remove barriers, strengthen resilience, and promote lasting academic growth.

Meet the SOAR team

Melissa Wiegel

SOAR Program Coordinator

As the SOAR Program Coordinator, Melissa has a deep commitment to fostering positive learning environments, strengthening systems of support for at-risk students, and building strong collaborative teams to ensure student success. With more than 15 years of experience in education including roles as Principal, Assistant Principal, Special Education Case Manager, Reading Interventionist, and classroom teacher, Melissa brings a comprehensive understanding of academic, behavioral, and social-emotional development. Throughout her career, Melissa has led multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), supervised and mentored staff, utilized data to drive instructional decisions, and partnered closely with families and community stakeholders. Her background in special education and educational leadership allows her to approach program coordination with both strategic insight and compassionate problem-solving.