Niles Community Schools will be offering a new, innovative program for middle school students grades 6-8 this fall called W-A-Y Forward Niles.

This educational opportunity will combine virtual learning with classroom instruction, providing a flexible, dynamic learning environment that, until now, has only been available to high school students.

“W-A-Y Niles has completed its first year with high school students, and it has been a huge success,” said Director of Non-Traditional Education Rich Klemm.

“We are very excited to offer this opportunity to middle school students this fall.”

Like the high school W-A-Y program, selected middle school students will receive an iMac computer, internet connectivity and either a digital camera or iPod touch to use from their home, at no cost to the family. This program is available to students living in Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties.

W-A-Y Forward Niles will host a demonstration night  at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Westside Administrative Building, 111 Spruce St., Niles, in Room 200.

For more information, call Rich Klemm at 683-0736 or John Fonash at 684-4480. Visit the Niles Community Schools website, www.nilesschools.org, to access the online enrollment form.