AUGUSTA (AP) — Officials say a virtual charter school has seen a 25 percent drop in enrollment since it opened last fall.

A Dec. 31 report says that at the 90-day mark for the school year, 76 students in the initial class of 297 had left the school.

The Portland Press Herald the education company contracted to provide Maine Virtual Academy’s curriculum told the Maine Charter School Commission they should expect an initial 20 percent to 25 percent withdrawal rate.

Officials say the school continues to have a high number of truants who aren’t logging on enough for lessons.

Maine Virtual Academy board member Peter Mills says some students left because they weren’t prepared for a virtual school experience, which requires them to be self-directed and work with an at-home learning coach.

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