Online summer school attracts 140 students

By RAYMOND L. DAYE

Co-Editor

Summer school through Avoyelles Parish’s virtual classrooms may cost out-of-district students a little more next summer.

The School Board’s Education Committee was told at its June meeting that participation in the parish’s online course recovery/enrichment program had record participation. 

Students taking a summer school course through the virtual classroom program had to pay $150 per course, with a two-course limit.

There were 140 students who were either making up a class they had failed or taking an additional course -- either for “fun” or with an eye toward graduating early.

Avoyelles Superintendent of Schools Blaine Dauzat said the popularity of the online version of summer school put a strain on the teachers assigned to the program. Teachers who monitored and managed the courses were paid out of the per-course fee.

Of the 150 students in the program, 30 were non-APSD students -- 22 from Avoyelles Public Charter, two from St. Joseph, one from St. Mary’s, three from Grace Christian in Alexandria and two from Madison Prep, a public charter school in Baton Rouge.

Dauzat recommended the board keep the price the same for district students but increase the cost for non-district students to $250-$300 next year.

Final tests for summer school are July 14.

The summer remediation in 4th and 8th grade math and English/language arts also had good attendance this year, the committee was told. Those classes were held at Avoyelles High and Marksville High.

There are no fees for students attending the remediation classes.