Sixteen high school students are enrolled in the Grosse Pointe Public School System's new virtual school this fall, according to Grosse Pointe News, which first reported the enrollment figure Oct. 22.

The students can still attend homecoming and earn a Grosse Pointe diploma, the newspaper reported. The district plans to expand the online option in phases through the 2029-30 school year, eventually offering a full GPPSS-developed curriculum open to students across Michigan.

The enrollment falls short of the 20 to 30 high school students the district initially targeted for Phase 1. The program is open to ninth- through 12th-graders who live within district boundaries but are not currently attending GPPSS, according to the district's website.

The virtual school uses courses from Michigan Virtual, a statewide online learning provider the district already used for summer school programs. Dr. Daniel Hyliard, listed on the district website as virtual school program coordinator, helped present the plan to the Grosse Pointe Board of Education at its March 9 meeting.

Why the district went virtual

The district's virtual school proposal identified approximately 500 resident K-12 students enrolled in public schools outside GPPSS during the 2024-25 school year. The proposal estimated that the district was missing out on more than $6 million in state funding associated with those students.

The district proposed the virtual school to expand learning opportunities while generating additional revenue.

Students are required to take six classes and commit to the full school year. The district provides Chromebooks, and teachers serve as mentors to support students taking online classes.

The program targets families already using other virtual programs and students who need a more flexible learning option. The proposal describes the virtual school as an additional pathway rather than a replacement for in-person learning.

What comes next

Under the district's phased proposal, Phase 2 in the 2027-28 school year would expand the program to grades six through 12.

Phase 3 in 2028-29 would open enrollment to all district residents and begin replacing Michigan Virtual courses with GPPSS-developed material.

Phase 4 in 2029-30 would offer a full district curriculum and potentially accept students from anywhere in Michigan. District teachers who mentor online students would receive additional compensation under the proposal.

Families interested in the program can find registration information on the district's GP Virtual School webpage.