JACKSON TWP — Students in the Seneca Valley School District have already begun picking courses for next school year, and those in the intermediate and senior high schools will have new options available to them.

Assistant Superintendent Matt McKinley told the school board Monday night that Seneca Valley is introducing “blended learning,” a concept that combines traditional learning settings with cyber learning. The blended courses at first will be available only to students in grades nine through 12.

McKinley said these blended courses would require students to meet with teachers in-person at least twice a week. Students and teachers during those sessions can review lesson plans, work on homework or talk about the class.

Currently, the district offers cyber classes and traditional classes, but not a mix of the two.

McKinley described the blended courses as the “next level” in learning environments that can be tailored to each student’s individual needs.

The blended courses also offer “more collaboration between students” than a traditional cyber program, he said.

“It’s a natural next step in online education,” McKinley said.

Denise Manganello, the principal of Seneca Valley’s cyber academy, said Tuesday the blended courses are the “best of both worlds” for students.

“It teaches a student how to be a more independent learner with the continued support of a teacher,” she said. “It’s a model program and an ideal way to operate.”

In addition to the blended learning, Seneca Valley now plans on offering students an Advanced Placement course in computer science, as well as classes in gaming and 3-D art.