Bibb County Schools to explore VIP Academy closure
The Bibb County School District’s virtual academy has faced declining enrollment following its opening after the COVID-19 pandemic. Community meetings to discuss a potential move will be held later this month.
To counter declining enrollment and achieve potential cost savings, the Bibb County School District will consider rolling the fully virtual VIP Academy into existing school-based hybrid learning programs.
VIP Academy became a standalone school in 2022 following its opening during the COVID-19 pandemic. The virtual learning academy originally served all grade levels but currently only serves middle and high school students.
The academy takes applications only, and although enrollment was projected to be 384 students this past school year, only 248 students ultimately attended.
“This has been a whole new world for everyone,” said Brian Butler, district executive director of teaching and learning.
The district shared initial options for “reimagining virtual learning” with the Bibb County Board of Education at a budget meeting Monday afternoon.
The virtual school could be folded into the district’s in-school academies. Those programs offer in-person and virtual learning options within high schools for students with needs that do not suit the traditional classroom environment — for example, students with discipline issues.
“We saw that there’s overlapping services and this might be something to just ponder and consider,” Butler said.
Virtual learning software costs for VIP Academy far exceed those of traditional high schools because of how Edgenuity, the software’s provider, charges per student versus per school, Butler noted.
Butler said the district has not yet identified exact cost savings. Keeping the dozen teachers who work there — according to the school’s website — and students at VIP Academy is also still on the table.
Exploring the potential move comes as the district completes its rezoning analysis and proposes its initial budget for the coming school year.
“The biggest thing we’re doing right now is we want to get input from the community, anything that affects where students go to school or how services are provided to students,” Butler said. “We want to make sure families have input.”
Any move would take place during the 2027-28 school year. The district will host virtual community meetings on May 11 and May 27 to collect feedback.
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