(KNZA)--The Hiawatha school district has been approved as a virtual school for the 2016-17 school year.

Superintendent Penny Hargrove informed the Board of Education last week of the approval by the Kansas Department of Education.

The USD 415 Board in March approved the development of a virtual school program for the high school.

Hargrove says the on-line program is another platform for education and for opportunities for students to learn.

She says students will be allowed to participate in the virtual school on a case by case basis.  Hargrove says that could include students who can’t make it in the regular classroom or adult students who want to get a diploma.

She said there will be no additional cost to the district for the program.