The first online private high school for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered youths has opened for business, but so far has found limited interest.

GLBTQ Online High School began enrolling students in January and now has six students -- none from Minnesota -- said David Glick, founder and executive director. (The "Q" stands for those who might be "questioning" their identity.)

Glick, who runs the school out of his home in St. Paul, said the dearth of students results from its midyear start. But school officials continue to receive inquiries from potential students, and Glick said he expects enrollment to increase to between 50 and 100 students by fall.

Enrollment also could increase if the school has a successful campaign to raise funds for its startup costs and student tuition subsidies, Glick said.

Annual tuition for a full-time student is $5,900. Glick says that rate compares favorably to similar schools.

Because it is private and online, the school is open to students nationwide. Its faculty and administration are widely scattered, too. Glick and Doug Bright, dean of operations, live in Minnesota. But the school's 14 teachers and counselors live in other states. The servers that students use to access curriculum and to interface with instructors are in Florida.

"We are headquartered in cyberspace," Glick said.

Glick is experienced in online learning. In 2001 he became Minnesota's first online learning coordinator, in the Department of Education. Last year more than 1 million students nationwide took classes online.

Glick says he started the school because gay and lesbian students still are teased and picked on more than straight students, according to survey results. He says his school creates a safe place and a community for such youths while providing an education.

"Imagine a school where you can be you," says the main page of the school's website, beckoning potential students.

But some have questioned whether removing GLBT students is an appropriate solution to the teasing, bullying and ostracizing that occur in high school.

Minneapolis and St. Paul's public schools have programs designed to protect GLBT youths, integrate them into high school life and provide a space for them to be with like-minded individuals.

Glick says the problem with those programs is that they tend to focus on straight kids' behavior.

"The vast majority of GLBT youths still feel discriminated against and don't get the support they need," says Glick. "I don't consider this to be segregation, separation or isolation. I consider this to be helping them find a community that is supportive of them."

Gregory A. Patterson • 612-673-7287