Conclusion
Virginia Virtual Academy is a virtual school program for students in grades K-8. It is the only virtual school program in the state of Virginia. It is part of the Carroll County Public School system. It uses the K12 curriculum developed by K12, Inc.
Its aim is to provide individualized learning for all students. It offers classes in the core subjects and foreign languages. It also offers electives like art and music. In addition it offers interaction opportunities for its students and parents by arranging monthly activities, field trips and events online and in person to meet, share and interact.
The Virginia Virtual Academy provides an extensive and comprehensive array of courses to meet the needs of a diverse population of students. Its student body includes students with special needs, students that are gifted and talented, students that are struggling in school and students that need an accredited curriculum and advanced placement courses to meet their intellectual needs.
The coursework is taught by professional, highly qualified teachers that are experts in the subject they are teaching. The school provides its teachers with professional development and training as well as resources and assessment tools to do their job well. The teachers are supported by a strong administrative team consisting of the head of the school, an academic administrator, an operations manager and a special needs manager. This team takes care of the paperwork; enrollment, registrations, attendance, curriculum design and technology side of the school so that teachers can concentrate on teaching the students.
The Virginia Virtual Academy follows the Carroll County Public Schools guidelines and teaching standards. Hence their students have to take the state recommended and mandated assessments like the SOL, Diebels, lessons assessments, unit assessments and semester exams just like students attending a face to face school in the state of Virginia. The difference is that Virginia Virtual Academy allows its students the flexibility to access the classwork at any time and from any place making it possible for students that can't attend a traditional school for a variety of reasons to get a quality education. But, the students still have to meet the required bench marks to make the grade and to be promoted to the next grade.
Each student is enrolled in a full day program. Each student is required to attend 990 hours of school in a school year. The curriculum is taught using synchronous and asynchronous methods of teaching. The students use materials provided to them in digital format as well as physical format. In the beginning of the school year each enrolled student receives a box with hand-on materials for labs as well as books they would need for the course work. Students also participate in virtual labs and interactive activities and games to master the information being taught. Students also have access to mobile apps to reinforce skills being taught in class. Parents play an important role at Virginia Virtual Academy. The parent is the "learning coach" for the student the parent overlooks the work the student is doing at home, makes sure the student completes assignments and turns them in on time and serves as a facilitator. They also work closely with the teachers to modify the pace and schedule of the course if needed. The teacher’s guide parents in effective ways to facilitate student’s progress.
The teachers stay in regular contact with the students via phone, online meeting and email. They teach the coursework, guide the students, grade assignments and provide feedback.
All in all Virginia Virtual Academy provides it's students with a comprehensive free education, provided by qualified, licensed teachers that adheres to the Virginia Public Schools standards and follows the Virginia Public School curriculum with the flexibility of time and place. It is a wonderful alternative for students that are not able to attend a traditional school.
