St. Martin to offer virtual school
LAFAYETTE — More educational options will be available to St. Martin Parish school students starting this summer with the launch of the district’s new virtual school.
The school will give students in grades 7-12 the option to take online courses at home or at a site designated for the virtual school. Students can enroll in one course or take their entire course through the program, said Richard Lavergne, St. Martin Parish schools superintendent.
Interested students will enroll through their zoned school site and be able to participate in that school’s activities.
The program targets independent learners, Lavergne said.
“This virtual program offers to them that particular option of learning at their own pace and time,” he said. “So many times, we lose students and not just the low kids, but upper-level kids because they don’t like to be in the traditional classroom setting.”
The program also now offers students a summer school option. The parish has not operated a summer school in the past because of low enrollment, Lavergne said. While the virtual school is offered at no cost to students, there will be a tuition for summer school classes, he said.
Board members approved the school at its Dec. 7 meeting, but will decide on a location at its Jan. 11 meeting.
Though students can take their courses at home, if they choose, they must report to the virtual school site of their zoned school for tests, Lavergne explained. The site will also provide computers for students to work on courses. At least one teacher will be at the site to assist students who need help or tutoring. The support of teachers at students’ zoned school will also be made available to the virtual school students, Lavergne said.
Lavergne recommended a site in Breaux Bridge adjacent to the school-based health center across from Breaux Bridge Junior High. The site is centrally located in the parish and would accommodate workspace for about 50 computers, Lavergne said.
Board member Steve Fuselier proposed a board-owned property in St. Martinville that is now being used by the city and parish during courthouse renovations. The building should be available in April, Lavergne said.
About $300,000 from the district’s capital projects budget is available to prepare a site for the virtual program, he said.
An additional $141,000 is the cost of a three-year contract for Education 2020, the online courseware that will be used for the program, Lavergne said.
No additional instructional cost for staffing will be needed, he said.