AHOSKIE – Flu and flu-like symptoms have forced a local school to close.

Ridgecroft School closed its doors Wednesday and Thursday after flu-like symptoms were affecting 25 percent of the student body and staff.

“We had so many students and staff out due to sickness that the decision was made to try to prevent it from spreading further,” Ridgecroft Administrator Doug Cobbs said. “We were already out of school on Friday and Monday, so we closed Wednesday and Thursday as well.”

Cobbs said the school has been disinfected and that Headmaster Chris Aycock and the other staff at the school are hoping that most of the sickness will be gone by the time they return to school on Tuesday.