Archdiocese of Atlanta launches online high school program

The Archdiocese of Atlanta is launching a fully online high school program, known as Sacred Heart Virtual Academy, designed to expand access to Catholic education throughout Georgia and beyond.

Enrollment is currently open for students in grades 9–12, both inside and outside of the Archdiocese of Atlanta, including those living in other states or countries.

“We know this type of offering can have an impact on a global scale, and we are excited about that opportunity,” said Kim Shields, facilitator of the program and an associate superintendent of the Catholic school office of the archdiocese. “Our commitment starts with the communities of the Archdiocese of Atlanta, but we will welcome anyone who feels our program will meet their child’s learning needs.”

The archdiocese designed the program with home-schooling students and students with flexible learning needs in mind, according to Shields.

“Sacred Heart Virtual Academy was created in response to home-schooling groups and others in the archdiocese who are looking for more flexible options for high school,” Shields told EWTN News.

“This program will also enable us to meet the needs of rural students, students with diverse learning needs, and any other student who just needs an alternative to a brick-and-mortar school,” Shields continued.

The archdiocese is partnering with Catholic Education Services, a provider of Catholic virtual education, to provide courses. The group has “partnered with several archdioceses to provide programs for Catholic schools,” according to Shields.

Organizers hope to expand courses to provide more opportunities for students, including a course in American Sign Language.

“We have an inclusion program in the archdiocese, and we are hoping to offer some alternative courses for foreign language such as American Sign Language through the virtual academy for students who need that opportunity,” Shields said.

Students will follow a traditional school year schedule from late August to late May. Optional summer classes are also offered.

“Students will need to complete 24 credits to graduate, and this requirement is in alignment with our current brick-and-mortar high schools,” Shields added. “Class offerings will be synchronous and asynchronous depending on the course.”

Full-time tuition for one year is $7,200, while individual classes cost between $500 and $600.

“The diploma and transcripts will be issued from the Archdiocese of Atlanta, and we are proud to be able to offer that to any student who completes our high school program,” Shields said.

Quoting from the value statements of the Office of Catholic Schools, Shields said the branch is “committed to providing an excellent education in an environment of spiritual, moral, intellectual, and physical formation in accordance with the teachings of the Catholic Church.”

“Our vision is to provide all families and children in the Archdiocese of Atlanta with faith-filled, high-quality, accessible, and affordable educational opportunities,” Shields continued.

“We also believe that all of God’s children deserve a Catholic education, and to live our mission, it is our responsibility to meet the needs of all students as best we can,” Shields added.

Sacred Heart Virtual Academy applications are currently open. For more information, visit here.