The Henry County School system has recently declared a new way for high school students to attend classes. “Impact Academy” will be an online school which allows kids to take the four core subjects as well as electives and Advanced Placement classes. This opportunity will allow students to attend school full time and online. According to Steve Thompson, the administrator for Impact Academy, this will allow more flexibility in time, which is something we could all use.

There will initially be a limit on the number of students that can participate. For the first year, 2012-2013, 220 spots will be available. There will be four full-time teachers, as well as other assistant teachers providing the students top-notch education. Thompson feels that Henry County Schools are more than ready for this virtual school program. A large portion of existing students are already partaking in the Georgia Cyber Academy, the state’s biggest school.

During the 2012-2013 school year, only ninth and 10th graders will be allowed to enroll in “Impact Academy.” The county has high hopes that beginning in the 2013-2014 school year, the grade levels will be extended to 11th and 12th grade.

In regards to the fiscal side of things, due to the school earning state public funding and re-visiting existing budgets, the online school will be “cost-neutral to the school system”, says Thompson. For more information on the financial details of “Impact Academy,” and to learn more about the extracurricular activities of the new school, please visit www.henry.k12.ga.us/ia.

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