Educators say the number of South Dakota students taking classes online continues to grow.

The state-run South Dakota Virtual School, which is designed to serve high school students, had 2,000 registrants its first full year of operation, the 2008-09 school year.

The school's director, Sarah Carter, says officials were pleased with the number - and that it likely will keep growing.

And the Center for Statewide E-Learning at Northern State University in Aberdeen has enjoyed growth since it started in 2001 with 296 high school students. The center's director says enrollment has surpassed 900 for the past two years.

Students who take classes through the e-learning center meet at their own schools at set times and interact electronically with their teacher and with students from other high schools.

Students who take classes through the state's virtual school can go to a computer anytime to work on their courses.

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