Iberia Parish School Board will kick off a new Virtual School Program when classes begin Friday.

The school system purchased an online learning program called Edmentum, which provides detailed lessons for school courses, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction Carey Laviolette said.

The students’ online progress will be monitored by a program coordinator and content tutors, who will be in “close contact” with parents regarding their child’s progress, she said.

Students will progress at their own pace, but a prescribed timeline will be given to each student, Laviolette said.

Students can attend a computer lab at New Iberia Senior High from 3 to 5 p.m. every day, where certified teachers in math, English, science and social studies will provide assistance to the students, she said.

“This concept began as a result of realizing our culture has become a digital society and there is always a need to provide students every possible opportunity to complete a high school diploma,” she said.

Iberia Parish Superintendent of Schools Dale Henderson said the Virtual Program is an opportunity for pupils who want to return to school.

“This is an opportunity for kids who may have found themselves in a difficult situation and want an opportunity to return to school,” Henderson said. “This is for kids who are not in school but could be in school. This is also for a group who may learn a little differently. We’re trying to target kids who cannot be in school, who are digital learners, who may have an affinity for this kind of learning experience.”

But, he said, the virtual school is for a “disciplined” student.

“This is not for every student. It takes a special student who is motivated and extremely disciplined. It’s a lot of on-your-own work. Kids have to be determined, motivated and really want to do this,” Henderson said.

Laviolette said 10 students are enrolled, but the school system has 25 additional inquiries. She said they expect more interest “once the word is out” about the program.

The program will offer all academic subjects as well as limited vocational courses.

“Middle school students are able to attend the Iberia Virtual School on a full-time basis, while high school students may have to take some vocational courses at the home-based school in order to complete an area of concentration required for a high school diploma,” Laviolette said.

The program will be free to students who are enrolled in the Iberia Parish public school system, she said.

“We are excited about providing the students of Iberia Parish an alternate learning environment to complete their high school diploma,” Laviolette said. 

“It is inevitable that the digital world is ever expanding and becoming more and more a part of the lives of our young people.”