The Carson City School District is ready to launch its year-round online school program after a successful semester-long pilot.
Pioneer High School Principal Jason Zona oversaw the program at his alternative school. Since the classes began being offered in January, he said, 10 additional students were able to graduate.
"We're really excited," he said. "Getting more kids to graduate is one of our major goals."
Carson Online, a partnership with Nevada Online Network, will open Aug. 30 to students in grades six through 12.
Students can use the program to suit their needs. They can catch up on classes they have missed or failed, expand curriculum options, schedule around a job or work at their own pace if a traditional classroom setting doesn't work.
Students can attend their regular high school and take one or two courses online or take all classes over the Internet. They can choose to either be affiliated with Pioneer or Carson high schools and will be able to participate in all extracurricular activities at the school of their choice and walk with their peers in graduation.
The program is open to students in Carson City as well as those in Lyon, Douglas, Storey, Churchill and Mineral counties. The teachers are highly qualified and Nevada certified, with more than 100 courses available, including advanced placement.
Two information nights are scheduled today and Saturday to give students and parents additional instruction.
The program will be tailored to suit the needs of the individual student, with some checking in regularly and others only to take necessary exams.
"Very few kids can go on their own and just come in for midterms and finals," Zona said. "It's a partnership with the parents and the school."
Students will start out taking one class and if they are successful, will be allowed to continue to take more.
"That's the beauty of it," Zona said. "It starts off slow and builds as long as they can handle it."
Parents also will be able to access their child's grades and progress online.
Zona said he's already seeing interest in the program. The alternative school usually begins with about 75 students enrolled, he said. This year, enrollment is already at 152, with several of them choosing to either take all their courses or some of them online.
Zona said the district isn't sure how many students to expect this first year.
"We have the ability to handle a lot of students," he said. "We're prepared for the tidal wave."
On Tuesday, he introduced the new program coordinator Jill Council to members of the Carson City School Board. Council served as the district's attendance officer and most recently in the office of Fremont Elementary School.
Zona said she was selected based on her ability to set up new programs and manage people.