The Virginia Department of Education’s Virtual Virginia program will pilot a full-time, online high school for the 2015-2016 school year.

The pilot will be available to up to 100 students on a first-come, first-served basis. It will offer all of the required core academic courses and electives necessary to earn a standard or advanced studies diploma.

Students in the full-time pilot will be enrolled in their local public school but will receive instruction through Virtual Virginia. The courses will be taught by teachers with Virginia certification and local schools will see that the pilot students have access to technology, textbooks, special services and other necessary materials at no cost.

“Virtual Virginia has a track record of providing rigorous online instruction alternatives to students in the commonwealth,” said John W. Haun, the state assistant superintendent for instruction, in a release announcing the pilot.

“That will continue with the addition of...