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STATESVILLE -- The Iredell-Statesville school system invited home-school parents to Statesville High School on Wednesday to hear their thoughts on a new online program.

Superintendent Brady Johnson said it is just another option -- one that would allow home-schoolers to take their courses at home, online, through the N.C. Virtual Public School.

For Lois Pemberton, the option sounded promising. She said her son is enrolled for next year.

"They can still be doing their learning at home, the parent can still monitor the curriculum that they are taking advantage of but they are still getting a quality education," said Pemberton.

As long as students enroll in two or more courses, it's free. School officials said there are hundreds of courses to choose from. So what's the catch?

Home-school officials said the option is basically public school at home and students would lose their "home-school" status.

That is something Lynne Taylor said she is not willing to give up.

"The reason why I personally would not move forward with this is because to me the freedom to home educate would no longer be mine and I value that very preciously," said Taylor.

The school system would receive the same allotment from the state as they would for a regular student. But they say it is not about the money. Johnson said he is looking at the bigger picture.

“If students do choose to enroll with us, then obviously we would pull down those funds from the state but also the community benefits by having a well-educated citizenry. We're in the education business and we just want to offer our services to the entire community," said Johnson.

To find out more about Virtual Public School, visit: www.ncvps.org