TLC Student Handbook

The Tokata Learning Center emphasizes “effort” as a primary ingredient to school success.  The TLC understands the internal and external barriers that often get in the way of school success and works hard to eliminate these barriers through connection, flexibility, and a variety of behavior and academic interventions.  

In partnership with students and families, the TLC uses a continual learning plan (CLP) to guide students on their path to school success.  

Students work with their advisors to set/meet academic goals. The base goal for each student is to complete 4 modules (equivalent to 1 credit) every progress term (approximately 3 weeks).  Advisors monitor and communicate student progress with families at the end of each progress term.  Students who do not meet their academic goal will be given intervention support.  Students who do not meet their academic goal after receiving intervention support may be recommended for other program options, such as the TLC Bridge Program, Shakopee High School, or other area alternative programs.

Attendance Requirements & Considerations

Attendance Expectation:  All students are expected to attend all of their scheduled classes every day on time (unless accommodations have been made on the student’s continual learning plan).

If a student is not able to attend school for any reason, a parent/guardian is expected to call the attendance line at 952-496-5984.

Attendance calls are sent to parents/guardians when prior notification to the secretary of an absence/tardy is not provided. 

TLC Policies for Promoting Consistent Attendance:

1. Daily phone call home for students who are not present in school.

2. Daily phone call home for students who leave school early without permission.

3. Students who exhibit chronic absenteeism/tardiness will meet with a TLC staff member to create a student support plan.

4. Students who continue to exhibit chronic absenteeism or tardiness after receiving additional support may receive a modified schedule or be removed from the TLC Core Program.   

Attendance for Students 18+

If a student is over 18 years of age and submits an 18+ waiver complete with a signature of a parent or guardian, the student may call themselves in if they are going to be absent or late, but administration reserves the right to contact a parent/guardian to verify any absence with the parent or guardian.  

The Tokata Learning Center is a closed campus, meaning students may not leave the school (or if outside - supervised area) during the school day without permission from a TLC staff member.  Students who leave campus without permission will be required to work in the R&R room for the remainder of the day.   Students may also be dismissed if they violated additional school policies while off campus.

Students are not allowed to order food and have it delivered to the TLC because of the distraction it creates for school operations.   Students who order food will be required to store it in the staff workroom until the end of the day.   

The TLC uses a contract system to support students who do not meet the behavior and attendance expectations of the TLC.  Students may be placed on a contract when a student’s behavior(s) or attendance is adversely impacting the student’s academic progress or school climate.  The terms and length of behavior and attendance contracts depend on individual circumstances.  

2026-27 Conference Dates

Students graduating from the Tokata Learning Center receive a Shakopee High School diploma.   Due to differences in scope, size, and focus, students attending the Tokata Learning Center have different academic credit requirements than students attending Shakopee High School. 

TLC courses are aligned to the Minnesota state standards and follow school district articulated curriculum guidelines. 

The quality of education provided at the TLC is comparable to that provided at SHS.  However, the emphasis TLC places on teacher-student relationships, smaller class sizes, block scheduling, personalized self-paced learning and academic power standards ensures that the education experience at TLC is different than at SHS. 

The following types of instructional models are used to meet the different learning needs of TLC students:

Seat-Based Courses

Seat-based courses at the TLC are generally self-directed with most of the course work being facilitated on Canvas, the Shakopee School District’s learning management software.  

Students receive a combination of individual, small group, and whole group instruction as they work through the course content at their own pace.  

Students are allowed to work in their scheduled courses until completed, after which they are scheduled in new courses.   

Flex Learning Options

Students have the option during their Flex period to participate in credit-bearing activities.  Students are required to accumulate a total of 40 hours in a credit-bearing activity in order to earn 1 credit.  

Since hours are accumulated over the course of a school year, Flex credits will not be transcribed until the end of the school year.  

Please note: not all Flex activities are credit bearing.   Students participating in an Open or Guided Study Hall do not accumulate hours toward a flex credit.  

Credit Recovery

Students have the opportunity to complete more credits after the school day ends by taking a credit recovery course through our Edgenuity learning system (online, self-paced, digital curriculum) in our Independent Study Bridge Program.  

Students interested in this option should contact the school counselor.

During the 2026-27 school year, TLC will pilot a revised daily schedule designed to better meet the needs of our students.

The new schedule shortens each instructional block, allowing TLC to begin every day with a dedicated Flex Period. This time will provide students with additional opportunities for academic support, relationship building, wellness activities and enrichment while also creating more opportunities for students to earn elective credits throughout the year.

• Artificial Intelligence Usage Expectations - The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in academic work must adhere to the same standards of integrity as traditional methods. Students are expected to:

  • Acknowledge the use of AI tools in their work, clearly indicating how these tools were utilized.
  • Ensure that any AI-generated content used in assignments is integrated appropriately and not presented as original work unless explicitly permitted.
  • Avoid submitting AI-generated material as their own without proper attribution.

Violations of these expectations regarding AI use will be treated as academic dishonesty and will result in the same consequences as other forms of cheating or plagiarism.

TLC students are enrolled in grade levels 9-12 based on credits earned, not based on the graduation year. This is a Minnesota state requirement for area learning centers that makes it easier for students to understand where they are in relation to graduating.

Grade 9-12 credits earned

Grade 10 12.25-24 credits earned

Grade 11 24.25-36 credits earned

Grade 12 36.25-48 credits earned

Grading & Credits

Below are the standard grading criteria at the TLC:

* ‘NY’ (“Not Yet”) grading allows teachers the flexibility to have students redo work that is not up to at least average (‘C’) standards, and to give extra time for completion as they feel is acceptable. Students who do not complete what they need to within the teacher’s established parameters and time frame will receive an ‘NC’ (no credit) for grades below 70%.

Credits are awarded at the completion of each course.  Students who do not complete all of the content of course at the end of the school year are awarded partial credit and are scheduled to continue the remainder of their coursework the following year whenever possible.

Any structure and support you are able to provide at home to promote healthy sleep, nutrition, and positive decision making habits at home is extremely helpful to your student’s learning. 

Student Check-In Conferences take place weekly between students and their advisors to discuss well-being, academic progress, and attendance.  During these conferences students set and monitor academic/attendance goals as well as discuss helpful intervention strategies when applicable.

Team Conferences  take place each quarter.  Families have the option to register for a virtual or on-site conference via the invite that is emailed out every quarter.   In addition, families may schedule a conference with their student’s teacher(s) and advisor at any time.   

Campus Portal - Parents/guardians can have access to their student’s Portal through the district’s student information system to view students’ academic progress and attendance. You as a student also have access to Portal so you can view your own progress. Users of Portal are not allowed to attempt to change any records or to access other users’ information. For Portal account setup, contact the TLC secretary.  Grades are updated in infinite campus every two weeks.

Canvas – Parent’s/guardians can have access to their student’s courses through Canvas – Shakopee School District’s learning management system.   Through Canvas parents/guardians can become “observers” in their students’ courses and view the learning activities and progress students are making in their courses.  To gain access to your student’s courses through Canvas please follow the directions on the “Canvas Info for Parents” found in the Quick Links section on the Tokata Learning Center homepage.

Transcripts can be requested for current and past students by having the organization or person needing the transcript fax a request to TLC, or by contacting the TLC secretary and advising where to send the transcript.

In the TLC Core Program, students engage in 2-4 self-directed courses at one time.   Students follow a four-block schedule, attending lab classrooms where they get instructional support from content teachers.   In addition, students participate in daily advisory and flex periods.   

The advisory period is designed to promote positive relationship building and academic goal setting.   

The flex period is designed to actively engage students in activities that promote social, emotional, and physical well-being.  

The TLC Core Program provides students with structures and support that promote interdependent learning and provide students with elements of autonomy.   Students in the Core Program work to meet three-week academic goals.   At the end of each three-week term, staff will share student progress updates and indicate if any program modifications/interventions are going to be implemented in the following term. 

The first day of each new term is scheduled to be a Remote Day, meaning students will work from home with afternoon virtual check-in requirements.    

The TLC is in the process of implementing more project based learning opportunities.   

At the TLC , project-based learning connects academic standards to meaningful, real-world challenges and opportunities. 

Students explore questions that matter, apply their learning in authentic ways, and create products that demonstrate their knowledge and skills. Through collaboration, critical thinking, creativity and reflection, students develop both academic success and future-ready skills. 

Projects are designed to honor student voice and choice, allowing learners to pursue their interests while meeting high expectations. 

To support student success and ensure access to academic support, students are not allowed to complete more than six semester credits during any academic quarter. This limit helps maintain a manageable workload and promotes high-quality learning.

The TLC uses Restorative Practices whenever possible and appropriate.  According to Howard Zehr, a pioneer in the modern concept of Restorative Justice, “Restorative justice is a process to involve, to the extent possible, those who have a stake in an offense and to collectively identify and address harms, needs and obligations, in order to heal and put things right as possible.” 

The TLC follows all District 720 discipline policies and uses the Behavioral Expectations & Consequences (Secondary Students) as a reference for all discipline issues that are not able to be processed using Restorative Practices. 

At the end of each progress term (approximately every 3 weeks), the advisor will email you a short summary for your student’s academic progress.. This is a great opportunity to engage in a conversation with your student and/or teacher about school successes and challenges.

We invite problem solving and family teaming. We see the best results with student progress when they are given an appropriate level of agency to make meaningful school decisions with a strong network of family and school support.

You are invited to reach out to your student’s advisor at any time for progress updates or to make a team meeting request. Likewise, we will reach out if necessary to garner more family support and input as we work to problem solve for student success.

We recognize the learning flexibility some students need to navigate life’s challenges.   The TLC Bridge Program is a flexible learning program that meets the needs of students in unique situations through independent study coursework.  

The Bridge Program is designed to engage students who: 

• need an ultra flexible learning option

• are waiting to get enrolled in the TLC Core Program

• have been excited from the TLC Core Program

TLC Independent Study Requirements

Many Stories. One Purpose. Endless Possibilities.

At Tokata Learning Center, our name comes from the Dakota word Tokata—Future. It reflects our belief that every student deserves the opportunity to envision, pursue, and create a future filled with purpose, possibility, and success.

For some students, the traditional path hasn't been the right fit. At Tokata, we help students reconnect with their strengths and see new possibilities for their future. At Tokata, we see beyond those challenges and focus on strengths, potential, and opportunity.

Through meaningful relationships, personalized learning, project-based experiences, we help students reconnect with learning, build confidence, and discover a path forward. Every student is known, supported, challenged, and celebrated as they develop the skills, character, and agency to shape their future.

More than a school, Tokata is a community where students and families join in partnership to find belonging, purpose, and hope—and where every day is an opportunity to move one step closer to the future they deserve.

Our graduates leave Tokata with a deeper understanding of their strengths, greater confidence in their abilities, and a belief that they can create a future that is meaningful to them.

You are eligible to walk in the SHS graduation ceremony ONLY IF you

• have completed or are within 2 credit of completing the requirements for graduation by the end of the school day eight (8) days prior to the ceremony,

AND 

• have not previously participated in an SHS graduation ceremony,

AND

• notify the TLC secretary you would like to participate, before you finish your credits or before April 1, whichever comes first,

AND

• participate in the graduation rehearsal (details will be provided in the spring).

Your eligibility may change if your attendance or behavior becomes a cause for concern at any time.

Students may participate in after-school activities at Shakopee High School with prior approval of the SHS principal. This includes dances, sports, clubs, and more. You must pay all applicable fees and submit required paperwork.

There are a variety of athletic and non-athletic opportunities during the school year. It shall be the policy of Independent School District No. 720 to encourage its students to participate in co-curricular activities in order to enhance their total education. Keeping in mind, however, that their academic progress toward graduation is of the prime interest, any student of Shakopee Public Schools desiring to participate in a co-curricular activity must be making satisfactory progress toward graduation in order to be eligible for such participation.

All athletics and activities offered are listed on ShakopeeSabers.com.

Click here for an interactive brochure that includes a list of activities and athletics by season and grade.

Most athletic seasons consist of a seven-week season with 8-10 competitions. Competitions will be both home and away with bussing provided to all away contests.

If you want to participate in a dance at SHS, you must be enrolled in 10^th grade, notify the TLC secretary by Wednesday the week of the dance, and register guests from schools other than SHS or the TLC by Wednesday the week of the dance (see secretary for guest form).

• Guests must be under 21 and at least in 10^th grade.

• If you or your guest is removed from the dance, you will both have to leave.

• You and your guest must both have valid photo identification to enter the dance.

• All other rules posted at SHS or indicated by SHS staff must be obeyed or you will be removed from the dance.

Cell Phone Expectations

To create a learning environment with fewer distractions and stronger student engagement:

• Cell phones may not be used during instructional periods unless specifically authorized by a staff member for an educational purpose or individual student need.
• Students may continue to use their phones to listen to music when permitted; however, phones must remain out of sight when not actively being used for an approved purpose.

If a student chooses not to follow these expectations:

• Staff will direct the student to put the phone away immediately.
• Students who do not comply will be required to place their phone in a TLC cell phone locker for the remainder of the school day.
• Students who demonstrate repeated difficulty following the expectation may be required to check their phone into the TLC cell phone locker at the beginning of each school day for the remainder of the current progress term.

These expectations are intended to maximize learning, strengthen classroom engagement and help students develop healthy technology habits while at school.

The district cannot reimburse for stolen personal property, AND items left in lockers at the end of the school year will be donated to charity.

Under Minnesota law, school lockers are school district property. At no time does the school district relinquish its exclusive control of lockers provided for students’ convenience. School officials may inspect the interior of lockers for any reason at any time, without notice, without student consent, and without a search warrant. 

Students’ personal possessions within a school locker may be searched only when school officials have a reasonable suspicion that the search will uncover evidence of a violation of law or school rules. As soon as practicable after the search of a student’s personal possessions, the school officials will provide notice of the search to students whose lockers were searched, unless disclosure would impede an ongoing investigation by police or school officials.

Students have access to all necessary learning technology through school issued devices.   Cell phones and other handheld devices have the potential to be a significant distraction to the learning process and school environment.   Therefore, Students who are not able to manage their device(s) - as determined by meeting academic goals and avoiding distracted/disruptive behavior - may be required to turn in their device(s) during the school day.   

The TLC is part of the Shakopee Town Square Mall community of tenants (e.g., businesses), patrons and guests. Therefore, TLC staff requires all students to:

1. Be respectful and courteous to all people in and around the mall at all times – even when school is not in session.

2. Obey all policies and requests of employees of the businesses in the mall and of the mall itself.

3. Take care of mall property. If you see garbage on the floor, put it in a wastebasket. If you make a mess, notify the secretary or a mall employee. If you see someone defacing the mall, call the police.

Students who engage in disruptive or criminal behavior in the mall community will be referred to law enforcement as well as discipline under District 720 policy.

At the TLC, earning your diploma means more than just finishing assignments. It means you can:

• Understand what you learn, think critically, and form your own opinions using trustworthy resources.
• Express your ideas clearly—whether it's through writing, speaking, drawing, or creating something meaningful.
• Use what you’ve learned to create meaningful projects—like art, poetry, journals, experiments, or models.
• Keep going—even when things are hard or you don’t feel like it.
• Ask for help when you need support.
• Grow from feedback - reflect, revise, and keep learning.

he TLC administers a school climate survey to all students every quarter.   The purpose of the survey is to collect data regarding student engagement, academic expectations, student motivation, sense of belonging, and sense of autonomy.   Data from the student survey is used to inform programmatic changes and identify students that may need additional school support.   All students are expected to complete the survey each quarter.  Parents/guardians can elect to opt their student out of taking the survey by notifying the TLC secretary or principal by phone or email.