Brandywine Community Schools is offering sixth through 12th grade students a new way to learn this fall with the launch of the Brandywine Innovation Academy (BIA).

Housed at the former Bell Education Center in Niles, the BIA offers a wide range of programs and opportunities for students who might benefit from taking a non-traditional learning path to earn their high school diploma.

Students who are enrolled full time in the virtual-learning based academy will receive a Google Chromebook laptop that will allow them to work from home at any time of the day or night.

Director Michelle Wruble said students could also come to the Bell Building almost anytime to receive face-to-face interaction with instructors.

“Some (students) really need to be in front of a teacher, to get that immediate feedback, so we will offer that as well,” said Wruble, adding that students would also be able to communicate with teachers using Skype, a phone call, email or instant messaging. “We will do whatever we can to help them.”

The academy, Wruble said, isn’t just for students who have trouble thriving in a traditional classroom setting. It is also for students who want to finish high school more quickly, students who desire a more flexible schedule or students who want to learn online while still participating in Brandywine sports and extracurricular activities.

“We really want to be there for all students, not just what people think of as the traditional alternative student — kids with behavior or attendance problems,” Wruble said. “We want to be there for everybody.”

Students can also take traditional courses along with online ones offered through the academy.

“It is very flexible,” she said.

Full-time students would graduate with a Brandywine diploma.

So far, Wruble said approximately 40 people have signed up for the academy, which begins Sept. 8. Most are from within the district, but some have come from outside Brandywine.

Supt. John Jarpe said they are taking steps to make sure the student/instructor connection is strong, even though it might not be face to face.

“That is what we will be faithful to maintaining here,” he said, adding that at least one day a week would be dedicated to making contact between students and facilitators.

A student’s learning progress will also be monitored to make sure they are staying on track.

“They will have to show us they are able to handle the online aspect,” Wruble said.

Brandywine is in the finishing stages of repainted and renovating the former Bell Education Center in preparation for the opening of the innovation academy.

Enrollment will take place all year, so there is no deadline to apply.

For more information, call 683-8805 or stop by the academy at 1830 S. Third St., Niles. Learn more at brandywinebobcats.org.