LEONARDTOWN, Md. — St. Mary’s County Public Schools is considering a new Virtual Learning Experience program for home-instructed students in secondary grades, with a potential launch targeted for the 2026–2027 school year.
The proposed initiative would allow eligible home-schooled students in grades 6 through 12 to enroll as active SMCPS Virtual Students. Upon enrollment, participants would gain the ability to earn credits toward high school graduation requirements and, upon completion of all necessary credits, receive a Maryland State Diploma without additional home instruction reviews. The program would carry no costs to participating families.
In addition to core academic coursework aligned with district standards, enrolled students would have access to a broad range of extracurricular opportunities. These include participation in clubs, sports, theater productions, ROTC programs, SAT and PSAT testing, and entry into the Tech Center Lottery for career and technical education courses. SMCPS officials describe the offering as providing a full and enriching school experience comparable to that available to in-person learners.
The district is currently seeking community input to gauge interest and refine the proposal. Families are encouraged to complete a brief online survey to share feedback. Two information sessions are scheduled to provide further details and answer questions: a virtual session on January 15, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., and an in-person session on February 12, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at the Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center in Leonardtown.
Registration for either session and access to the survey are available through the district’s provided links. SMCPS stated its commitment to flexible, high-quality educational options that address the diverse needs of students and families in the county. The district indicated it looks forward to community engagement as it evaluates this potential addition to its offerings.
St. Mary’s County Public Schools serves approximately 15,000 students across elementary, middle, and high school levels in Southern Maryland’s southernmost county. The system has previously expanded alternative learning pathways, including online and hybrid options during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, to support varied family preferences. The proposed virtual program for home-instructed secondary students represents a targeted extension of those efforts, specifically aimed at bridging home instruction with full district enrollment benefits.
The exploration of this virtual option comes as Maryland school districts continue to adapt to evolving enrollment trends and family requests for flexible learning models. If implemented, the program could provide home-instructed secondary students in St. Mary’s County with greater access to accredited coursework and school-based activities while maintaining the option to transition from home-school status.