Virtual academies remove barriers and unleash students' potential

Key points:

Two extraordinary high school teachers changed the course of my life at a time when academics were the least of my concerns. Their belief in my potential and their guidance helped me establish a solid foundation for my future and changed my life. This experience led me from a career in investment management to one in education, driven by a desire to make an impact and improve access to quality education for all. My role in launching specialized schools in Louisiana for students with low-incidence disabilities reinforced the importance of educational choice—a need that is universal regardless of student abilities, grade level, learning style, preferences, social class, and geographic location.

I am committed to empowering students to receive a personalized and rigorous education that unleashes the unique potential (the genius) within each of them. I believe this can be accomplished by introducing virtual academy options within public school districts, giving families and students an option that can best meet their needs.

The landscape of primary and secondary education is rapidly changing. For many, it is changing for the better with the increased availability of options that allow students to learn in environments optimized for their needs.

As district and education leaders know, across the country, many children lack reasonable geographic access to in-person schools or are enrolled in schools that do not meet their educational or lifestyle needs. Often, the only available option is a traditional public school, which typically operates on a one-size-fits-all model and schedule. While traditional public schools are effective for many students, they simply can no longer adequately meet the needs of all. Much of the recent change in education has been guided by an increase in families’ desire for choice. As a result, education leaders are facing funding drops due to declining enrollment numbers, and are responding by creating robust, comprehensive alternatives to the traditional in-person educational experience, the most significant being virtual learning.

The desire for more choice has become clear in recent research and there is a growing shift in parental preferences when it comes to education. Survey 2023 According to a study by National School Choice Week, nearly half of parents surveyed in the United States said they were actively looking for a new school for the 2023-24 school year. Since the pandemic, it has become clear to many parents that online learning is a better option for their children, prompting them to seek out alternative school options for the best educational outcomes, such as virtual academies.

technology has the power to make high-quality education more equitable, and virtual academies are designed with accessibility at their core. Students who live in remote or rural settings, who require a different environment due to social-emotional or special needs, or who participate in extracurricular activities with a rigorous training program, can now access the same curriculum, learning environment, career readiness programs, and enrichment programs as their peers who attend traditional, in-person schools.

Personalized learning is another key component of virtual academies that can remove barriers by catering to the diverse needs and abilities of students. Aristotle, often considered the pioneer of individualized instruction, emphasized the need to tailor education to take advantage of each student’s curiosity and talents, a method that has endured throughout the centuries.

Today, virtual academies continue to use personalized learning strategies, which may involve adjusting pacing, providing supplemental resources, and incorporating enrichment activities, such as participation in a gifted or talented program. Additionally, many virtual academies offer programs such as dual enrollment and career and technical education (CTE) pathways, which allow students to earn certifications and college credits while still in high school, thus extending Aristotle’s educational philosophy into the modern age of learning.

There are countless heartwarming stories of students who benefited from a virtual learning option. One student, who lived in a remote area, rode the ferry to school every day, leaving at 6 a.m. and returning at 8 p.m. Virtual learning eliminated the need for this long commute to her local public school, a challenge faced by many students across the country due to school closures, mergers, and remote placements. Another student, who did not feel challenged at her previous school, thrived in a virtual academy that allowed her to accelerate her learning while earning college credits. Another student simply preferred the online learning environment after the pandemic and chose to continue her education at a virtual academy as she found it better suited her learning style. There are also stories of students who chose a virtual academy due to socioeconomic challenges, health concerns, learning disabilities, or the demands of being part of a military family.

For many families, having choice means having a say in their child’s education. Virtual academies emphasize the parental involvement that families crave, fostering a collaborative partnership between families and schools, where an open line of communication means families are well informed of their child’s progress through detailed feedback.

With the right partner, districts can enhance their appeal and strength within their communities by offering a virtual academy as part of a portfolio of educational programs. This strategy can make the district a more attractive option for local families, which could help maintain or even increase enrollment. Families would be able to choose the educational environment that best suits their children, whether it is a traditional public school or a virtual academy, ensuring an optimal learning experience for each student.

As educators, we are partners in preparing students for successful and fulfilling lives after high school. Introducing a virtual academy option allows districts to meet a broader range of student needs, giving every student the opportunity to learn in an environment that best suits them. Together, we can empower students and have a profound impact on the next generation of leaders and innovators by offering them an option that will help them reach their full potential.