How to enroll your child in a virtual learning center in Erie County

WEST SENECA, N.Y. (WKBW) — Students in Erie County's Orange Zone will have to learn from home for the time being, starting Monday.

This is once again putting many families in a tough spot, looking for child care options, or just help for their kids who are learning remotely.

This impacts thousands of families during a very busy time in the school year.

Virtual learning centers like the Erie 1 BOCES Remote Learning Center in West Seneca are to help students get by. There are 72 total in Erie County.

But how do you get your student enrolled?

To start, find the virtual learning center location that works best for you.

There are 72 in Erie County, run by Erie 1 BOCES, Erie 2 BOCES and Say Yes Buffalo.

The county website shows all of them on this map.

Each dot is a learning center.

If you click the dot it shows you the location, hours, capacity, and school district served.

But according to Erie 1 BOCES, you don't need to live in the same district as the learning center.

"If I'm a parent who lives in Amherst, but works in Lancaster and it would be more convenient for me to drop my student off at one of the Lancaster centers, then certainly I can do that," said Elizabeth Freas, Superintendent at Erie 1 BOCES.

And the big question, how much does this cost?

If your family makes more than the 85% median income, it's $50, per student, per day.

Otherwise, it's free.

"We're working really hard to make sure students that are enrolled in the program have a really safe and structured learning environment, because ultimately it's about the success of the student," said Freas.

Once you find the right location for you, just call and enroll. For a full list of Erie 1 BOCES virtual learning centers and their contact information, click here. For more info on Say Yes Buffalo virtual learning centers, click here.