K-12 virtual school – aka learning online – became a necessity during the Covid pandemic. There has been a lot written since the pandemic ended about the shortcomings of that experience, but some school districts have also recognized its value. New York City, for example, has decided to make its high school-level virtual school program permanent, based on student demand.
I encourage you to read the full article on this in TIME magazine: Why the Nation’s Largest School District Is Making Virtual School a Permanent Option. But for those of who like to read the punch line first, here are my key takeaways:
· Students value the “found time”, losing in some cases a multi-hour round-trip commute just to get to and from the physical school building.
· Students value the ability to learn at their own pace, whether that be faster or slower than their fellow students in a physical classroom.
· A flexible schedule allows students to pursue extra-curricular and enrichment activities when they are available (e.g., going to a museum in the middle of the day), or to balance employment with education.
· A flexible schedule allows students to do their schoolwork at the time of day when they learn best (think night owls).
· Virtual learning curricula are now designed to support various learning and communication styles (think introverts).
Here are links to some permanent virtual public school programs in the US:
· Virtual Innovators Academy, New York City NY (currently 9th and 10th grade, planning to add one grade a year)
· Jordan Virtual Learning Academy, Bluffdale Utah (K-12)
· Atlanta Virtual Academy, Atlanta GA (middle and high school, part-time)
· California Virtual Academies, Simi Valley CA (K-12)
