New Online School Program Coming to District 91

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Idaho Falls School District 91 will be expanding its online school offerings this fall to help meet growing demand for more flexible education options.

Students and parents looking to customize their education experience will have additional virtual tools available in August. 

The district will initially offer seven main courses online to students in middle school and high school.

“This fall we will be offering all of the core classes online – so English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Speech and Health," said District 91 Superintendent Karla LaOrange. "Then second trimester, which starts right after Thanksgiving, we will be offering our full array of courses online.”

After the first trimester, it plans to expand to add Advanced Placement and other elective digital classes to the mix.

“We've recognized a need that our parents and community have expressed to just provide more flexibility and options for credits, for learning, and to address the unique needs of some of our students,” said Dr. Thomas Kennedy, District 91’s federal programs director.

Students in online courses will still be enrolled at their local high school or middle school, and can participate in extracurricular activities, dances, sports and clubs.

“The advantages of an online course are that students maybe might be experiencing anxiety, or some other health factors that really it's best for them to step away from school for a trimester," LaOrange explained. "There are other students that might want to accelerate or take more classes and earn additional credits, and they can do that. It offers some flexibility in their schedules so that they can work around scheduling conflicts or other internships.”

Middle school students can apply for the whole day online, while high schoolers can customize their schedule to take one or more digital classes at a time.

Students interested in enrolling can contact the counseling office at their high school or middle school for more information.