COLOME, S.D. — School in Colome doesn’t always mean sitting in a classroom anymore. This fall, the district launched the Colome Cyber Academy, offering K-12 students a flexible online learning option while keeping them connected to their school and community.
“The Colome School District is proud to offer an exciting educational opportunity for students and families,” said Principal Samantha West. “Designed with flexibility, innovation, and student success in mind, this program brings high-quality education to learners both near and far while keeping them connected to the heart of the Colome community.”
The Cyber Academy grew out of both opportunity and necessity. Like many small districts across South Dakota, Colome has faced declining enrollment and shifting boundaries. In the spring of 2024, voters approved a reorganization plan that sent the communities of Wood and Witten to neighboring districts, including White River and Winner. Then, in June 2025, Colome passed a $400,000 opt-out to stabilize finances. Amid these changes, district leaders saw a chance to offer families a personalized, flexible option that could meet a wider variety of students’ needs.
Students enrolled in the Cyber Academy receive individualized learning plans tailored to their goals. Some families choose the program because a traditional classroom environment hasn’t been successful for their children, while others appreciate the ability to balance schoolwork with sports, music, or other commitments.
“We saw an opportunity to fulfill a need for families that either haven’t had success in the traditional classroom or have circumstances where online schooling is the best option,” said Jerry Norton, school counselor. “Students can remain socially connected through extracurricular activities while pursuing academics in a way that works for them.”
Students in grades K-8 explore core subjects through Black Hills Online Learning and DIAL, which include lessons in math, science, language arts, and social studies. High school students have additional options, including courses from Northern State University. Juniors and seniors can even earn college credits while still in high school with dual-credit opportunities, giving them a head start toward graduation and postsecondary plans.
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A typical day for Cyber Academy students may include live online classes, independent assignments, and virtual group projects. Between coursework, students often schedule time for extracurricular activities, allowing them to stay involved in sports, music, and other school events without losing flexibility. Teachers and staff check in regularly to monitor progress, answer questions, and provide support when needed.
Parent Ted Kahler enrolled his sons, Berkley, a sophomore, and Hunter, a junior, in the Cyber Academy this year.
“They can do their homework when nothing is going on in their schedules, and it gives them the chance to start pursuing some of their own passions,” he said.
Kahler noted that while managing multiple learning platforms can be tricky, the benefits outweigh the challenges. He believes the program is teaching his sons valuable skills in time management, self-discipline, and independence.
“It’s really having them take the next step to independence without having to be gone to college,” he said.
Even though students learn remotely, they remain fully part of the Colome School family. Both Kahler boys, for example, still participate in sports and feel welcomed when they attend school events. Students can also take part in band, chorus, prom, and graduation ceremonies. Seniors graduate with a Colome High School diploma and walk alongside their peers. Students also take state-mandated assessments, with flexible arrangements for testing when needed.
As of mid-September, Norton said 19 students were enrolled, spanning grades 6 through 12. Some families supplement the Cyber Academy with additional curricula, including faith-based programs or speciality courses in music, technology, or art. The district hopes enrollment will grow as more families learn about the program and its benefits.
Colome’s Cyber Academy reflects a broader trend in South Dakota toward flexible, individualized education. Wessington Springs has offered a similar Cyber School since 2013, serving 228 students across the state.
“In the past, students were told they had to get their education in the traditional classroom,” said James Kruse, principal of Wessington Springs Cyber School. “While this is still a great option for most students, I am proud that programs like ours can help students who prefer to do classwork from home.”
For Colome, the Cyber Academy is not just an alternative to traditional classrooms — it’s a way to ensure students can thrive academically while maintaining connections to their peers, school events, and local activities.
“This is about meeting students where they are and giving them a chance to thrive,” Norton said. “We’re excited about the future of the Colome Cyber Academy.”
For more information about the Colome Cyber Academy, families can visit the district
website
or contact the school office at 605-842-1624.
