A new online-exclusive learning program at Ames Community School District has expanded after a successful start.
The Ames School Board approved a $37,500 contract with Edmentum in June to offer online classes during the 2025-26 school year. As of Sept. 17, the initial 15 seats were filled.
The district is providing 10 more enrollment opportunties for the remainder of the school year. The school board approved the extra enrollment subscriptions with Edmentum on Monday, Oct. 6 for an additional $27,100.
The program has been going very well, said Associate Superintendent Jeff Hawkins, and he anticipates it will need even more seats next year.
“(The district) has several parents that were hopeful the board would expand the program, because they’re ready to get going,” Hawkins said. “I wonder whether we will find the need to expand this year yet, or whether 25 seats will be adequate to get us through this year.”
The online offerings will help a district that expects to grow, aiming to offer online-blended classes for grades six through 12 by the 2028-29 school year. The program will eventually be offered as an option when students open-enroll in Ames CSD.
Online program has helped multiple students already
To qualify for the online learning program, a student must be unable or unwilling to come to school and can function in an independent setting with success, according to school board documents.
The number of credits the student needs to graduate or “make meaningful progress towards graduation” must also match what is available in the online program.
In a Sept. 22 report, Hawkins said the online program has helped the district retain 13 students.
How are students able to access support in the program?
The online learning program comes with a Resource Academy containing a repository of lessons, videos, recorded discussions and guided notes for all classes.
There will also be live sessions with teachers scheduled multiple times per week, which will be recorded and archived. Live teacher tutorials with a content specialist one-on-one will be available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each Friday, according to school board documents.
A provided FAQ document will explain how to turn in assignments, access resources and contact a teacher.
A district staff success coach tracks student progress, and there is a weekly review so the student’s family is kept up to date.
What are the program’s next steps?
Edmentum is currently providing fully-accredited and Iowa-licensed teachers for the program, but eventually the district will transition into using Ames CSD teachers. The district plans for Ames CSD teachers to spend the next year developing courses, Hawkins said, and hopefully in the next two years will use its own teachers to teach them.
Additionally, the district must apply to the Department of Education and gain acceptance this winter to serve open-enrolled students.
The goal is to include enrollment options for the 2026-27 school year during the registration process this spring.
Celia Brocker is a government, crime, political and education reporter for the Ames Tribune. She can be reached at CBrocker@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Ames CSD’s new online learning program expanding after successful start
Reporting by Celia Brocker, Ames Tribune / Ames Tribune
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