The Path Academy alternative high school charter school in Windham surrendered its state charter voluntarily Tuesday during a state Department of Education investigation into alleged violations that led the state to start charter revocation procedures in May.

Nearly three dozen southeastern Connecticut students had attended Path Academy, most from Norwich and New London, according to enrollment records released by the state in May. But questions over confirmation of enrollment, student records and tracking of student progress were among the problems being investigated by the state education department.

A report by state Department of Education staff in May said the academy, run by Our Piece of the Pie youth services agency, had failed to provide adequate records on a total of 128 students in the past two academy years. The state had paid $1,573,000 in charter tuition payments -- $11,000 per student in each year.

Path Academy provided specialized programs for “overaged, under-credited” high school students. Enrollment records showed the academy enrolled 23 students from Norwich, six from New London and two from Ledyard this past year. Eight Norwich students attended classes at the unauthorized Norwich satellite location at the Our Piece of the Pie facility on Otrobando Avenue. Seven Norwich students were part-time students, a violation of the charter, state officials said. The school had no academic documentation for three Norwich students and no grade information on one other Norwich student.

Three of the New London students attended part time, and there was no documentation for a fourth New London student. One of the Ledyard students attended part time.

“Now that Path Academy has surrendered its charter and will cease operations for the upcoming school year, our highest priority is, as it has always been, ensuring the well-being of the students formerly served by Path and providing them with the best possible options for an uninterrupted transition to continuing their education,” state Education Commissioner Dianna Wentzell said in a press release Tuesday. “We are committed to doing everything necessary to place these students in learning environments that meet their unique academic needs and position them to grow, thrive and succeed.”

State Department of Education spokesman Peter Yazbak said since Path just surrendered its charter Tuesday, it’s too soon to say what alternatives will be available for students. The state is exploring a possible collaborative effort between Windham school district and Our Piece of the Pie to have Path students attend programs in the Windham school district.

Path Academy Principal Gino LoRicco, who had started the position in spring in the hopes of turning the academy’s performance record around, could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

“The results of (the Department of Education’s) ongoing efforts on this matter will be determined by its assessment of what will best serve the interests of the students,” the education department’s press release said.

c.bessette@theday.com