WCPS reports 41 students interested in relaunch of ABLE elementary virtual program; 23 from home instruction

Washington County Public Schools officials updated the board on the district’s ABLE elementary programming—an elementary-level virtual option that will relaunch this fall for grades 1 through 5 and is housed at Smithsburg Elementary.

Officials said 41 students have expressed interest in enrolling in grades 1–5; 23 of those students are currently served through home instruction and have indicated interest in the district’s virtual program. District staff said they have capacity and will notify families in the coming week about enrollment decisions, provided that students’ academic needs can be met in the virtual setting.

Administrators described the instructional day as closely mirroring in-person schedules: 60 minutes of daily math, 90 minutes of ELA, daily science or social studies, supplemental instruction in math and ELA, and daily encore activities including physical education, art, music and media. Students also will have designated time each day for lunch and recess.

ABLE teachers will be housed at Smithsburg Elementary to provide grade-level collaboration with colleagues while delivering virtual instruction from that campus. District staff said they have been communicating enrollment information by email and district postings and plan additional outreach to families.

When asked about outreach, staff said the district used electronic communications and direct mailings to homeschool families; staff estimated the district supervises “close to 900” students who are home instructed and said the number could be higher if families use independent evaluators outside the district’s supervision.

Officials said they will follow up with the board on precise counts of returning versus new students and will send enrollment letters to families soon.