Gay school?

[mamapaparazzi]

If your son or daughter was gay, would you support this?

The first online private high school for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered youths has opened for business, but so far has found limited interest.

GLBTQ Online High School began enrolling students in January and now has six students -- none from Minnesota -- said David Glick, founder and executive director. (The "Q" stands for those who might be "questioning" their identity.)

Glick, who runs the school out of his home in St. Paul, said the dearth of students results from its midyear start. But school officials continue to receive inquiries from potential students, and Glick said he expects enrollment to increase to between 50 and 100 students by fall.

Enrollment also could increase if the school has a successful campaign to raise funds for its startup costs and student tuition subsidies, Glick said.

Annual tuition for a full-time student is $5,900. Glick says that rate compares favorably to similar schools.

Because it is private and online, the school is open to students nationwide. Its faculty and administration are widely scattered, too. Glick and Doug Bright, dean of operations, live in Minnesota. But the school's 14 teachers and counselors live in other states. The servers that students use to access curriculum and to interface with instructors are in Florida.

"We are headquartered in cyberspace," Glick said.

Glick is experienced in online learning. In 2001 he became Minnesota's first online learning coordinator, in the Department of Education. Last year more than 1 million students nationwide took classes online.

Glick says he started the school because gay and lesbian students still are teased and picked on more than straight students, according to survey results. He says his school creates a safe place and a community for such youths while providing an education.

"Imagine a school where you can be you," says the main page of the school's website, beckoning potential students.

Read more at: http://www.startribune.com/local/stpaul/87536862.html?elr=KArks:DCiUoaW_eEO7UiacyKUUr

[bellaamore]

If it were federally funded, I would find issue with it....since it is a private school, they can have a school for whoever they want.

They have private schools for autistic kids, black kids, jewish kids, catholic kids, etc... this is just a new variety. :)

[angelachristine]

they are just as welcome to have an all gay school as the catholic school was to exclude gays. So good for them i guess.