Did you know that teens learn better when they sleep in a bit? Teens need at least nine or more hours of sleep at night, yet with school start times at 8 a.m. or earlier, many teens are not getting the sleep they need to perform their best. Sleep deprivation is cumulative - and you can't "catch up" on sleep over the weekend. Some of the effects include:

• Difficulty staying awake and paying attention in class
• Difficulty learning, thinking, making decisions, using good judgment or solving problems
• Moodiness and irritability
• Confusion with other disorders such as depression and attention deficit disorder
• Problems with memory, growth, the immune system, and general health
• Delayed reaction times (affects sports and other activities)
• Sluggishness and decreased motivation
• Using bad behavior to counteract daytime sleepiness.
  Examples include eating sugary, fast-energy foods; drinking too much caffeine and smoking.
• Using bad behaviors to fall asleep earlier
  Examples include drinking alcohol or taking pills.
• Sleepiness and a lack of alertness while driving
  Sleep deprivation can cause as much impairment as drunk driving. More than 50,000 crashes are caused each year by drowsy drivers under the age of 25 years old.

At TC Prep, we believe that part of the solution is to provide a menu of services combined and tailored to the individual student's needs. Students are able to work from home, online, on campus, or any combination of these. With the help of a teacher mentor, flexible start times, Online courses and individual tutoring, students receive the support needed to achieve. Plus, FREE dual-enrollment at Northwestern Michigan College mean that students can graduate from TC Prep having already earned college credits!

Traverse City College Preparatory Academy has added an innovative Seat Time Waiver Program to its growing list of offerings for the 2011-12 school year. The tuition-free public school academy, located at 1402 Carlisle Rd., is working with the Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District to enable learners to pursue their high school diploma while working from home, through community-based instruction, online, on campus - or a combination of these. Students who need a computer to be able to participate in online learning will be provided one at no cost.

"At TC Prep, we embrace the reality that students learn in a variety of ways, and that these experiences can greatly enhance students' academic experience," explained Dr. Mark Gable, school leader. "Teacher-mentors work with each student to craft an education plan that is a best fit for the student while delivering a high quality academic experience."

There are a variety of reasons why students choose the Seat Time Waiver Program over a traditional school day. Home-school students who wish to earn a diploma from a high-quality, accredited high school may do so using this option. Students interested in work study, online learning and internship arrangements may benefit as well. Students who are unable to attend school for a variety of reasons including transportation issues, health, family circumstances or religious practices now have a viable option to earn their high school diploma. In addition, TC Prep students are eligible for dual-enrollment opportunities at Northern Michigan College, making it possible to graduate from high school with college credits. This program is also available at no cost.

Applications are currently being accepted for fall 2011. For more information, or to schedule a school tour, please contact School Leader Dr. Mark Gable at 231.929.4539.

Traverse City College Preparatory Academy is a tuition-free public school academy that provides a quality education in a nurturing, small-school environment. The school features individualized instruction for every student with a focus on college preparation and leadership. Applications are being accepted now for fall, 2011. The academy is chartered by Bay Mills Community College and managed by The Leona Group.