Sixth grader Michael Peterson is busy working on his Spanish. But instead of sitting in a classroom, he takes the class by himself on his computer. In fact - he's taking all of his classes at Leon County Virtual School.

"It's been a really good experience and I'm not as distracted as I usually am in class," says Michael.

Michael's parents felt he would do better in this kind of environment, focusing all of his attention on his school work, but still enjoying extra curricular activities and sports at his zoned middle school.

"I don't want him socializing in the classroom, I want him concentrating on his coursework, doing the things that he needs to do, so that was my only drawback, but I have not seen any thing- he's not lacking any social skills at all," says Michael, Sr.

Virtual School classes are self paced, and include assignments and final exams.

While Michael is part of a small percentage taking his entire course load online, hundreds are enrolled at the Virtual School for various reasons.

"She has a few health issues, so a full long day is difficult, so for her to continue to have a more rigorous schedule, and to be able to take the classes she'd like to take- this is a great opportunity," says Lori Swanson of her daughter, who is taking two virtual school classes, and the rest at Chiles High School.

"We want every student to graduate and we know that sometimes there isn't one fit for all, one size doesn't fit all in education," says the Virtual School principal, Gillian Gregory.

So far this year, the school has had more than 14-hundred course request enrollments.