Elizabeth Swoboda competes in alpine skiing with the Bridger Ski Foundation, so to free up her afternoons for training, she’s taking five morning classes at Bozeman High School and two online classes from the state’s new Montana Digital Academy.

“I like it because it’s really convenient. It’s easy if you’re on top of it,” said Swoboda, a 14-year-old freshman, who is taking German and digital photography online.

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The Montana Digital Academy has begun its first school year and so far, over 1,500 students statewide are taking advantage of it.

The Digital Academy is an online school in which K through 12 students can take online classes. The classes are meant to provide learning opportunities to students who may not have access in their hometowns.

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“In this electronic age, kids don’t’ talk face to face as much any more,” she said.

At this point, regardless of the reason for his anxiety, Deucker has to find a way to deal with it, especially if he wants his second shot at high school to stick.

There are programs that can help. A late-start program allows students to begin their school days later than the masses. The Montana Digital Academy allows students to take classes online. And there’s an alternative high school, a re-engagement program at the college and a GED program.

Jack Deucker Sr. said that sometimes school can be a chore, but acknowledged that it also can’t be an excuse.

“You can feel the way you want to feel, but the chore still has to get done,” he said.

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Because of Grinde’s hard work and diligence in the state Legislature, we are now able to expand high quality learning opportunities for Montana students in both rural and urban settings. As an academy board member and teacher, I applaud Grinde’s effort in the State Legislature to establish the Montana Digital Academy and am excited about the opportunities for learning it is providing to students.

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The Montana Digital Academy this year will offer free Internet classes to help kids make up classes, get ahead or take courses not offered at some schools.

Butte High students under the policy can take one class per semester during their junior year and two per semester as seniors. The board will review the course offerings each year to approve them.

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