GETAWAY — Just in its first month the fledgling Lawrence County Academy e-school has exceeded its hoped-for beginning enrollment.

Already 37 students are taking middle or high school classes online.

“We had hoped to open the school and finish the first month with 15 or 20 students,” Bob Wilds, academy director, said.

The academy was started earlier this month with the goal of providing a blended community school for grades seven through 12. Students are given the opportunity to study electronically exclusively and remain part of their home district.

Headquartered at the Collins Career Center, the academy offers the accredited curriculum a student would receive in the classroom but with the option of working on it from home. A teacher is available to provided one-on-one in-person tutoring.

During school hours at Collins, the computer lab is available for academy students to use if they do not have their own computer. They must come to the campus at least once a week.

They also must spend at least 25 hours a week on the computer and complete a minimum of 20 assignments weekly.

“We are getting positive feedback,” Wilds said. “The curriculum is more difficult than some of the online programs. There is a lot of problem-solving, not all multiple choice. It is a little more difficult than anticipated but they seem to enjoy it.”

Right now there are two in the eighth grade curriculum; seven in ninth grade; five in 10th grade; 15 in 11th grade and eight are classified as seniors.

“A lot of them have tried other online schools but there was no face-to-face contact,” Wilds said. “They have socialization with their peers. There are some students who come four days a week. This is a different atmosphere, different presentation. They seem to enjoy it. It is going good.”