Lawrence school district officials deserve a pat on the back for their efforts to launch a computer-based charter school.

The Lawrence Virtual School has attracted more than five times the number of students expected by local officials this fall. They had estimated an enrollment of about 30 students; they got 29 students from Lawrence alone, plus 136 more from across the state. Enrollment is fairly evenly divided among kindergarten through eighth grade, ranging from 11 sixth-grade students to 24 third-graders.

All classes will be taught over computers, meaning there are no geographic limitations. The primary target for the virtual school is families who home-school their children. Many parents reportedly were attracted to the Lawrence school because it will use the “K12” curriculum researched and developed by a team of education experts chaired by William Bennett, former U.S. secretary of education.

The virtual school appears to be a solid financial deal for Lawrence. Startup costs for the virtual school will be covered by the $101,709 state grant the district received for starting a charter school. The district also will receive the state’s standard $3,863 per-pupil funding for everyone enrolled in the virtual school.

Beyond the revenue, however, district officials should be congratulated for taking an innovative track to reach students around the state. It isn’t the first virtual school in Kansas, but Lawrence Virtual School clearly offers a service that families value. It will be interesting to follow its progress in the years to come.