ANDOVER, Kansas – Ads have been running on the radio and newspapers for a new Kansas online school. The schools are the newest way for Kansas kids to get a K-12 education. And they’re providing a boost to some school districts across the state.
When you think of a Kansas high school, you typically think of students sitting at desks, learning from teachers. But times are changing.
“It's another option for young people, and why wouldn't we want to provide that option?” said Mark Evans, superintendent of Andover Schools.
The Andover School District is just one of many districts across the state providing online education for students K through 12. The online student ranges from a gifted student looking to progress faster to students who have had trouble in the traditional setting.
"We have some students who are enrolled who are in professional or nearly-professional gymnastics where they're competing on a national level, and they don't have time for a regular brick and mortar setting,” Evans said.
In all, 37districts across Kansas now offer K-12 online education, all the way from districts like Andover to some of the state's smallest, which is causing a little competition among Kansas schools. Each online student brings the same funding to the district as a traditional student.
“The enrollment brings state aid, which pays for the program,” Evans said. “I'm not sure that it really helps the district as a whole, but it does provide a program that is paid for through the enrollment."
Andover expects to have 130 students enrolled in its eCademy by the fall and plans to expand to have five to seven staff members dedicated to the program. As the district sees it, it is just another tool to help educate kids.
Another cyber school, Kansas Connections Academy, of Elkhart, will be in Wichita tonight hosting an informational meeting for students and their families. The meeting starts at 6:30 at the Holiday Inn at Kellogg and Rock Rd.
