LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Some Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) students can continue learning virtually next school year if they want to. Plus, some students will be switching buildings next year. 

During a Board of Education meeting Tuesday night, members voted to make a full virtual learning year available to any 6-12th grade students in the district. It's called the Pathfinder School of Innovation. JCPS will make this possible by expanding Jefferson County High School, which currently offers students 16 and up the chance to earn a diploma through online courses.

These options will be available starting next school year. Students who choose this path will not be allowed to participate in extracurricular activities such as sports.

The Board of Education also approved moving the Grace James Academy of Excellence to the current Roosevelt-Perry Elementary building at the start of next school year. The all-girls school, with an emphasis on STEAM subjects and Afrocentric curriculum, opened last August. Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio said this gives the Grace James Academy of Excellence the ability to grow if the district decides to expand to high school students in the future.

"Having talked to people recently, they were very happy to know that the Grace James Academy was coming to this facility, so I am hopeful that this will be combining of children, education and the community, bringing the community along with us," said Board President Diane Porter.

Current Roosevelt-Perry students are encouraged to attend Wheatley Elementary next school year, but they do have the option to attend another school if they want to. The two schools were already scheduled to merge. JCPS said the district should break ground on the new school for that merger in the next few months.