Older students in the Fort McMurray Catholic School District will be able to take a full online program during the 2020/21 school year.

The FMCSD announced on Friday they will be launching the Virtual Learning Academy and Sacred Heart Academy, giving families a choice of education during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is similar to the program the Fort McMurray Public School Division announced earlier this week. This after the provincial government announced they were expecting schools to reopen again in September, however, a final decision won’t be made until early August.

“Given the diverse needs of our students, and the variety of scenarios that many of our families face due to the uncertainty of the pandemic, it is imperative that we are able to meet our families where they are,” said Cathie Langmead, FMCSD Board Chair.

“The ability to provide exceptional education opportunities grounded in our faith is essential to who we are and what we do, whether it is within our schools or with our students through virtual means.”

Through the Virtual Learning Academy, students in grades 7-12 will have access to a complete high school curriculum, an upgrade on the current lessons being offered over the past couple of months.

The Sacred Heart Academy aims to help students in grades 10-12 who need an alternative path towards graduation. Classes would be held through a number of different methods including online, in small groups, and one-on-one instruction.

To register for either program, you must be registered with the FMCSD and participate in an intake interview.

The district says they believe kids in their Early Learning Program and in kindergarten to grade 6 would receive the best education by returning to in-school classes.