Capac's virtual ed program gets its own building

A few years ago, anxiety issues kept Mikayla Poppe home and out of class. She began falling behind in her courses.

"The homework was piling up because of a health issue," said the 15-year-old.

Mikayla then enrolled in Capac Public Schools' virtual education program, which allowed her to stay at home and still complete her necessary coursework. Her health issues had caused her to fall a full year behind. Now, she is only a semester behind.

"This program made it easier for me to do it at home," Mikayla said. "It was just the better option."

Mikayla has followed Capac's virtual education program through its various forms. Superintendent Steve Bigelow said the program began in 2012 as an online-only program.

Last year, the district launched a hybrid program at Capac High School, which meant that teachers were available to help students with their online coursework.

This fall, the virtual education program will have a building all to itself, thanks to a district consolidation, said Bigelow.

Elementary and high school changes

The district's sixth-graders will now attend Capac Elementary School, while seventh- and eighth-graders will go to Capac High School.

The now-vacant middle school will house the virtual learning academy.

Bigelow said he has heard concerns from seventh- and eighth-grade parents who are nervous that their children will be in the company of older students.

But he said he believes the older students will act more as mentors to the younger students.

"Just knowing our student body, that's not a concern," Bigelow said.

Bigelow said that interaction between the younger and older students would also be limited, describing the transition as a "school within a school concept."

The high school will also now offer more AP courses and a robotics class for seventh- through 12th-grade students.

At the elementary level, a STEAM program — which stands for science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics — will be implemented and band will be an option for fifth-graders.

"We expanded our programs quite a bit," Bigelow said.

The decision to consolidate was due in part to a much a smaller kindergarten class coming in than the departing senior class, Bigelow said.

The restructuring resulted in three fewer teachers being needed for the upcoming school year.

"We just don’t have the students to necessitate it," Bigelow said. "Now that we’re on one campus, we have a more efficient schedule."

Virtual education program

Bigelow said the middle school building was built in two sections, with the original part being built in the 1930s and the more recent part being built in 1999.

Because the two sections have separate utilities, the older part of the building will have its heat lowered and the water will be turned off. A use for this section has not been determined yet.

The newer portion will be used to house the virtual education program, which has 55 students enrolled to date. It is available for students in sixth through 12th grade.

Tami Zimmer, dean of students for the virtual education program, said there are about 170 courses available for students to enroll in. Students can take courses that range from culinary arts to basic algebra. Bigelow said a variety of platform vendors offer the courses and Capac determines which courses to use based on what works best for students.

There are two teachers and a paraprofessional who will be on site to work with the virtual education program students. Students in the program are not required to come in and work on site. They can work from home or come in to the building as much as they feel necessary.

Students can either be enrolled in the program full-time or they can blend traditional school time with the virtual classes.

Zimmer said that each course is designed to be an entire semester's worth of work, but the actual duration of each course depends on the student.

"It's an absolutely wonderful advantage (because) not only can students catch up, but they can speed up," Zimmer said. "They have more say in their educational process — and that helps."

Caleb Godbold, is starting 11th grade in the fall and is enrolled in the virtual education program full time. Through the program, he's taken algebra, biology, Spanish, English and world history.

Caleb joined Capac schools in the middle of the fall semester. Because he was behind his peers, he joined the virtual education program.

"It was just easier," he said. "I started late, so I was behind on my classes. It’s easier because you can work at your own pace. And if a teacher is going fast, you don’t have to stop the whole class. You can go on your own. That’s mostly what I like."

Zimmer said she usually starts each student with six courses that are a mix of core subjects and electives. If a student finishes a course early, they can start another one.

"It's completely up to the student when they graduate," Zimmer said.

What sets Capac's program apart

Bigelow said he was initially skeptical about the efficiency of online coursework. But he has come to realize that it's all about how the programs are executed.

By providing actual staff support to work with students, Bigelow said students will have someone to turn to.

Catherine Bussone, who is starting 10th grade in the fall, was home-schooled until Capac schools began offering virtual courses.

"By definition, (you are) a public school student, but you can work at home," Catherine said. "It’s not that much different."

She said she appreciated when it switched into a hybrid program because she had teachers to ask questions.

"Especially in algebra, I can get a lot more help," she said.

Catherine said she also believes the program also helps with college readiness because of the broad range of electives that are available for students to enroll in.

"You get a different outlook on a career you'd like to try," she said.

Bigelow said the program is still accepting students. Those interested do not need to live within Capac's district lines. They can join through the Schools of Choice program or the Contiguous Intermediate School District Schools of Choice program. Bigelow said the program is also open to students who would seek to utilize the virtual education program part-time while remaining in a different district.

There will be an open house for the program from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday. Zimmer said she, as well as parents and students in the program, will be available to answer any questions. It will be held in the Capac Library.

"We’re growing quickly, which is wonderful," Zimmer said.

Contact Anya Rath at (810) 434-2172 or arath@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @anya_rath.

If you go 

There will be an open house for the Capac Virtual Education Program from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday at the Capac Library, 111 N. Main St., Capac.