A new educational option with the Greene County School District will be ready for next school year.

Superintendent Brett Abbotts is excited to announce that the district was approved by the Iowa Department of Education to start a virtual academy. He tells Raccoon Valley Radio this opportunity will be phased in next school year for kindergarten through 12th graders, with limited spots available.

Abbotts explains that the district is partnering with Edmentum, who has licensed teachers in Iowa with a curriculum that aligns with what they already offer to students. He states that the district needed to think differently about providing students with opportunities to receive an education, He says they challenged themselves to think outside of the standard academic box when they realized there were many students electing to choose a homeschool or virtual option, which having a virtual academy can help give these students a path back to the district and earn a high school diploma, while completing their graduation requirements.

Abbotts details that there will be processes put in place for selecting students that qualify for the first year of the virtual academy and then they can make adjustments based on the feedback from the families involved and those who are managing if more seats are needed in the future. He notes that the district consulted with two other school districts, Glenwood and Linn-Mar, for suggestions on the provider and guidance on how to add this option. He adds that registrations will open on April 6th with more information to come of how families can get assistance with that.

Abbotts is excited to have this opportunity to capture those students who are in a virtual option outside of the district boundaries, to come back to the district for their learning.