Cedar Springs — Cedar Springs Public Schools will be offering more learning options and flexibility to students and families through its brand-new Virtual Academy and Homeschool Partnership program, which launches at the start of the upcoming 2026-27 school year.
The program has two separate but interconnected components: a virtual academy that will offer full-time virtual learning, as well as hybrid in-person/online learning opportunities; and a new homeschool partnership, which will allow students who take their core classes elsewhere — at home or at a private school — to enroll in electives at CSPS, including art, music, physical education and more, either in-person or online through the virtual academy.
Kimberly Morden, director of extended learning and engagement, is overseeing the implementation of the new offerings, which she said will fulfill a need for more versatile learning opportunities, while also sharing district resources with more students.
Morden explained that there’s been a growing trend in K-12 education towards more personalized learning models.
“We know of several local families who are enrolling in virtual programs in neighboring districts. Our goal is to provide a high-quality, cost-free local option right here in Cedar Springs,” she said. “Families have many choices when it comes to homeschooling, and we want to ensure they have access to robust, flexible resources right in their home community.”
By launching the new initiative, the district is “meeting the demand for flexibility while ensuring that virtual and homeschool students still feel connected to and supported by their local public school district,” Morden said.
She added that the program will also, hopefully, help the district stabilize and grow enrollment, and keep students “plugged into” Cedar Springs.
“Our enrollment data showed us that a number of families had transitioned to homeschooling over the years,” Morden said. “This partnership was developed proactively to bridge that gap, offering a top-tier educational resource that respects the independence of homeschooling while providing the district support and community connection they might be missing.”
Logistics, Funding & Benefits
The virtual academy will use the Lincoln Learning platform for grades K-5, and the Edmentum platform for grades 6-12.
Students will have local mentors within the district to oversee their progress and help with assessments and interventions. At the outset, these roles will be filled by Cedar Springs teachers; it’s possible, though, that the district may hire additional dedicated staff specifically for the mentor positions if demand outpaces what current staffing levels can handle.
‘It’s really about providing opportunities. We have an obligation to the people in our community to provide educational experiences for their children that they can’t necessarily do on their own.’
— Superintendent Scott Smith
Access to athletics is one of the program’s big draws, Morden said. Homeschool students who enroll in four or more electives with the district will be eligible to participate in Cedar Springs athletics, and all full-time and hybrid virtual academy students will also be eligible, said Morden.
Another incentive is the fact that the district will partner with area organizations for electives to broaden the scope of what certain electives can look like.
“For example, if you’re taking a PE elective, the school will partner with a local dance studio and the school will pay for that student to take dance lessons with that dance studio, up to $300 per semester,” Morden said. “It has to be related (to the elective) somehow, but that is something that is a nice bonus for these students.”
The initiative’s cost will be covered by state funding, she said, as participants will be officially registered as either part-time or full-time Cedar Springs students.
“This allows us to offer these incredible resources entirely free of charge to our families,” she said.
Providing Opportunities
Superintendent Scott Smith said the Virtual Academy and Homeschool Partnership program has been in the works since the COVID-19 days, when it became clear just how well virtual learning worked for some students.
It wasn’t until Morden was hired in summer 2025 that the district found the right person to steer the ship, he said. Morden worked out some of the kinks during the 2025-26 school year, which made 2026-27 an optimal time for a proper launch.
Smith is thrilled to finally get the program off the ground, as he believes it’s incumbent upon the district to do all it can for kids in the community.
“It’s really about providing opportunities,” he said. “We have an obligation to the people in our community to provide educational experiences for their children that they can’t necessarily do on their own.”
There are still some unknowns about how many students will participate, and how popular the program will be, but Smith said he feels good about the potential to have a positive impact in the community.
“I’m confident that the program will grow, with time,” he said. “The district is here to serve the community in whatever capacity the community needs.”
Enrollment is now open, and can be completed on the district’s website. Students must commit to at least one semester to sign up.
For additional information, contact Morden at kimberly.morden@csredhawks.org, or call 616-696-1204, ext. 5920.
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