ESCANABA – The Escanaba branch of the Success and Virtual Learning Center held an open house Wednesday afternoon to commemorate its move from the old Wells Elementary building to its new location on Ludington Street. Escanaba School Board members, faculty of the virtual learning center, and government officials were in attendance to perform a ribbon cutting ceremony and show their support for the center and all of the options it has to offer.

The Success Virtual Learning Centers, or Success VLC, was started a decade ago by Jim Bermingham and Dallas Bell. Bermingham is the superintendent of Berrien Springs Public Schools, which has a partnership with the Escanaba center. Bell is the president of Michigan High School Options and co-founder of Success VLC. The center also has a partnership with Escanaba Area Public Schools.

Students who want to apply to be in the program must first get approval from their school principal and explain the reasons why the virtual option is better for them.

The center aims to help students who may have struggled in a traditional school setting for varying circumstances and were unable to attain their high school diploma. With the help of the center, students are provided the core curriculum that is needed to obtain a high school diploma. The center is a “drop in” location for students. Students who are a part of the program can also work from home. Teachers and students can connect via phone, text, email, video chat, or in person at the center.

Throughout Michigan, there are 16 centers and Bell said they hope to make the centers go nationwide.

“We’re honored to be able to serve kids,” said Bell.

The center has students from Escanaba, Bark River, Rapid River, Gladstone and even as far as Marquette and Gwinn.

According to Bartel, the Escanaba center opened in 2013. In its new location, Bartel said it allows the center to be more visible and makes student access easier.

This year, 147 students are enrolled at the virtual learning center.

“I think it’s important for kids to know they have another option,” Bartel said. “Without us, they would drop out.”

State Rep. Ed McBroom said the center and the others like it are important assets to students who want to get their high school diploma in a non-traditional setting.

“(It) provides tremendous opportunities to continue education,” said McBroom, adding he had met a student who met unfortunate circumstances and was unable to attend a regular high school because he/she had to work full time in order to provide for themselves.

“This provides an opportunity to work and get an education at the same time,” McBroom said.

Sen. Tom Casperson was also at the open house and he said the center’s main appeal is the flexibility it offers non-traditional students.

“I think they’re offering a great option for kids,” he said. “And the option they’re giving is flexibility.”