More than 475 area students are expected to take advantage of a summer program that gives them a second shot at failed courses.

The school was host to a similar session Monday.

“We have 278 students who’ve already started or are continuing the recovery process,” said Gary Lewis, administrator and USD 497’s Lawrence Virtual School.

“We’re expecting 200 new students,” he said.

To take part in the summer program, students must attend an informational session at 1 p.m. today at Lawrence Virtual School, 2145 La.

The program is open to students in ninth through 12th grades.

Last summer, the virtual school charged $85 for each course recovered. Now they’re free for USD 497 students.

“We’ve dropped the fees,” Lewis said. “Basically, we didn’t want to charge for a course in June that was free in March or April, and we don’t want to be holding amounts of money over students’ heads. We want them to move forward; we don’t want to hold them back.”

The summer program’s costs – about $26,000 – are offset by other revenues generated by the virtual school.

Each student, he said, is tested to measure what they know and don’t know about the subject matter. Afterward, they’re given “prescriptions for learning” designed to fill in the gaps and let them finish the course.

Students are free to complete the coursework at their own pace, either at home or at the virtual school, which is open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

“Each student is different,” Lewis said. “Some already know the content and have a three- or four-week prescription. Others may take 20 to 30 weeks.”

He added, “Our learning opportunities are continuous, 12 months a year.”

Lawrence Virtual School is one of 16 virtual schools in Kansas. Its spring- and fall-semester enrollment is limited to 100 high school students and 650 students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

Already, the school has filled 360 of the K-through-8 slots and 55 of the high school slots.

In recent years, budget shortfalls have forced district officials to drop traditional summer school classes.

Today, driver’s education and the virtual school’s recovery program are the only courses offered.

“This is another way the virtual school is creating options for kids,” said deputy superintendent Bruce Passman. “It’s a good thing because once a students gets behind, it’s difficult to catch up. This allows them to go at their own pace and with a support staff. It’s another learning extension for kids.”