Elkhart Community Schools recently announced it will be introducing several new online virtual learning courses, referred to as the “Elkhart Virtual School”–or just EVS, for short.
This program is tuition free and will be available for students in grades 6 through 12. Moreover, it is slated to begin within the 2026-2027 school year.
The EVS will have a large selection of around 400 or so courses to choose from and will provide students a ton of online opportunities designed to fit student needs.
Enrollment will require a student to be a resident of Indiana, be in the respective grade range, have access to some form of smart technology, and have a steady Wi-Fi connection, along with completing an application and attending orientation in order to enroll.
Elkhart Virtual School Principal Bryan Hammontree states that the EVS will use an “Asynchronous Model” of instruction, which will allow students to work and study on their own schedule, rather than going by the school’s block schedule.
Hammontree also notes that students will be learning from and receiving assignments from “certified, Indiana-licensed teachers”; however, they will still need to meet participation expectations, such as doing work and logging into Canvas or whatever programs the EVS will use.
The best fits for the program, according to Hammontree, are “students who need flexibility, students balancing work or family responsibilities, and students who want a different learning environment or to move at their own pace.” Additionally, this program could be an amazing aid for kids participating in homeschooling, definitely taking some of the load off of the parents.
Although learning from home, students can still participate in school clubs and activities, as long as they receive proper approval. Hammontree cautions, however, that students who are part of the EVS program are not eligible for participation in any athletics that are part of the Indiana High School Athletic Association.
Getting started in EVS is as simple as clicking the enrollment link that will be sent out on ParentSquare once the program is running. Additionally, those interested can check out the EVS website in order to receive further information.
While still in the works, this program can hopefully provide new opportunities to students who can’t always come to school due to mental or physical health conditions, life struggles at home, or those who simply just want a simpler learning environment that allows them to work at their own pace.
