Tuition-free virtual school enrollment through March 1
Former Superintendent Allan Nelson was the driving force behind establishing the Iowa Virtual Academy, which opened for the 2012-2013 school year. At launch, the school initially served grades K-6, but expanded to include grades 7-12 for its second year. "We had our first graduating class in 2014, after we began offering the high school grades," said head of school Steve Hoff. Above, IAVA students enjoy a field trip. (Photo submitted)
By Molly Moser
The head of Iowa’s statewide online public school system, the Iowa Virtual Academy (or IAVA), makes his office right here at Clayton Ridge Schools. The Virtual Academy enrolled 305 students for the 2015-2016 school year, and Head of School Steve Hoff reminds parents that enrollment is now open for the 2016-17 year.
“Enrollment is open to students in grades K-12 who reside anywhere in Iowa, as long as families submit an Open Enrollment application before the state’s deadline of March 1, 2016, (September 1, 2016, for kindergarten students), and choose to Open Enroll into the Clayton Ridge School District,” Hoff told The Press.
What type of students make a good fit for the virtual school option? “Iowa Virtual Academy is for those students who want more out of their education,” Hoff explained. “The curriculum we use is structured around the individual student, so advanced learners can move ahead at their own pace or explore supplemental opportunities for enrichment.” It may be the right choice for a variety of students, including:
• Advanced learners who are either performing above grade level in one or more subjects or are motivated to increase their knowledge beyond the basic course offerings in specific subjects.
• Students who are seeking relief from bullying, or who have other safety concerns and need a safe and comfortable learning environment.
• Students whose families want to be more involved in their education.
• Students from military families, who might be prone to moving and changing schools more often than the average student.
• Students who have health concerns and need to have a flexible schedule.
• Athletes and performers who need classes that can travel with them during practices, rehearsals and competitions.
• Struggling students who need more time to grasp concepts, or who may need an environment with fewer distractions.
Iowa Virtual Academy offers a tuition-free academic option for students who seek alternatives to a traditional brick-and-mortar education, and IAVA can issue computers to students who need one. Lessons are accessed online and each student is supported by a highly-qualified, Iowa-certified teacher who monitors student progress while providing professional insight and instruction. Teachers communicate with students via phone, email and the online classroom technology in order to provide a highly individualized approach that helps prepare students for a post-graduation career or college success.
“Choosing a program with high quality curriculum was really important to me,” said Amanda, the mother of three IAVA students. “The curriculum at Iowa Virtual Academy is rigorous and more detailed than the others I researched. Plus, having the support of a teacher really makes a difference to me. It’s a team effort, and we collaborate on the best approach for my sons.”
“Students spend their days working in online and offline materials to complete their coursework,” Hoff explained. “Online lessons are interactive and engaging and supplemented with traditional materials, including award-winning textbooks, CDs, videos, and hands-on items that allow the widest variety of students to master lesson objectives. The curriculum is based on a deep understanding of how students learn and, therefore, is designed to optimize student engagement.”
Students are able to take each lesson at their own pace to ensure they are mastering the skills for their grade level. Thus, students are not pushed to move ahead to another lesson if they aren’t ready – and when they are ready, they don’t have to wait for their classmates before moving on. When students are keenly interested in a particular topic, they can dig deeper, using videos, projects or trips to their local library. Working through the course work using the planning tools provided, students are able to stay on track with the outlined public school requirements.
At this time, virtual students are not allowed to participate in Clayton Ridge athletics or other extra-curricular activities. But though they may be learning from remote locations, virtual students are not isolated from their peers, Hoff explains. “Iowa Virtual Academy provides opportunities for field trips and community gatherings, so families who live near each other can meet. We also offer virtual clubs. We always encourage our parents to continue to use their communities to help their students build relationships, i.e. at parks and recreation leagues, boy and girl scouts, etc.”
Scheduling is another advantage of an online school experience. “The schedule can be more flexible than it can be at traditional brick and mortar schools. Flexibility at IAVA means being able to spend more time per day and week when needed for challenging lessons, or other rigorous content, as well as working on school work at non-traditional times of day. For example, if your student is a gymnast and practices 5 hours per day, the student can work before or after practice time,” Hoff told The Press. “Plus, students can complete their courses anywhere there is an Internet connection!”
The IAVA high school program offers more than 150 core, elective and Advanced Placement courses designed to allow students enjoy a high school program tailored to their goals and abilities. Subjects like language arts, history, math and science are available as Honors- or AP-level courses, and students have access to a wide selection of electives such as world languages and Career Technical Education (CTE) courses designed to give them a head start on job skills.
Even experiences in music, drama, and the visual arts are available through IAVA. “K-8 students can choose music, art or a foreign language. These classes are taught virtually, using online lessons the students must complete, Class Connect sessions [online meetings of teachers and students] and hands-on materials,” said Hoff. Virtual students are also required to complete 30 minutes of physical activity each day.
IAVA instructor Karen Zuercher, who also works from the Garnavillo campus of Clayton Ridge, describes a day in her job. “There is not a “typical day” for me, but for the most part, a day for me at Iowa Virtual Academy consists of live instructional sessions for grades 3-8 math and 4-6 Language Arts. I also will spend about an hour or more responding to questions through kmails (our internal emailing system) from parents or students that may have come in after school hours.” Zuercher teaches live sessions from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. each day that last 30-45 minutes each. She corresponds with parents and students via phone, chat, and live one-on-one discussions.
“Throughout the day and week I have meetings with my administrator to look over student data, so we can make the best adjustments necessary to see where our students will need more clarification,” said Zuercher.
IAVA will host several online events late this month to help parents learn more about the program in advance of the March 1 deadline. Event dates and locations can be found on the school’s event calendar, along with more information available at http://iava.k12.com.
