The Hancock County Academy was forced to relocate in downtown Carthage after its home was damaged during a fatal fire last month next door at the Bentzinger Home Supply Store.
The school serves more than a dozen non-traditional students who have dropped out or been expelled.
“We are a one-room school type atmosphere with a lot of the kids working on computers,” Regional School Superintendent John Meixner said.
Students missed just a few days of school because of the fire.
Meixner said classes are now being held in the nearby Kelly building, which most recently housed the Illini West High School District Office.
“We like the site we are at,” Meixner said. “The landlord has done a nice job of accommodating us.”
Meixner said the school will move back to its own building after the smoke damage is repaired.
“But there’s just so much clean up. The smoke damage was permeated pretty much to the walls, ceilings and carpet so there’s going to have to be a lot of renovation work.”
Meixner said it will be well into the new year before the school moves back.
