Q. What is a virtual on-line school?
A. Virtual schools are available through the Internet and provide students the flexibility of any time, anywhere access to rigorous, personalized education. In the virtual classroom, every student is in the front row, actively engaged with the instructor. Each student is directly accountable for every query, question or exercise.

Q. What is a charter school?
A. Charter schools are public schools that operate without many of the regulations that apply to traditional public schools. In exchange for this increased freedom, charter schools agree to greater accountability. The 'charter' that establishes each school is a performance contract detailing the school's mission, program, goals, students served, methods of assessment, and ways to measure success. Charter schools are accountable to their sponsor, usually a state or local school board, to produce positive academic results and adhere to the charter contract.

Q. Who founded the Virtual Learning Academy Charter School?
A. The Exeter Region Cooperative School District (SAU 16) initiated the Virtual Learning Academy Charter School as an independent organization. The Academy has its own employees and teaching staff, Board of Trustees, and financial statement.

Q. When was the Virtual Learning Academy established?
A. The New Hampshire Board of Education approved the Virtual Learning Academy Charter School in May 2007.

Q. Can credits earned through Virtual Learning Academy count towards my high school graduation requirements?
A. Yes, students can earn credit through the Academy to accelerate their graduation date.

Q. What credentials must Virtual Learning Academy instructors have?
A. All Virtual Learning Academy instructors will be New Hampshire certified and deemed as highly qualified according to state standards. The Academy's administrators will conduct a specialized, comprehensive hiring process for potential instructors to ensure they are willing to accept and enjoy the unique and demanding challenges of on-line teaching.

Q. Who will teach the classes?
A. During the Academy's first year, adjunct instructors will be hired. The Academy's administrators anticipate that traditional classroom teachers will apply for available instructor positions. After the Academy's first year, all instructors will be provided with a mentor who will provide professional coaching, support and advice. Currently, VLACS employs close to 100 instructors from 5 New England States.

Q. Who is the Virtual Learning Academy approved by?
A. The Academy is approved by the State of New Hampshire and the U.S. Department of Education. The Academy meets the federal requirements of a graduating, high school.

Q. Why does NH need a virtual on-line high school?
Many NH high school students cannot take advanced placement or specialized classes because their school district cannot afford the course or there is not enough student interest for a school district to justify funding a course. Since its inception, VLACS has provided students and schools options to reduce drop out rates, scheduling flexibility, expanded course offerings, and credit recovery options. An additional benefit the Academy offers is the one-to-one communication between the instructor and student, which is vastly different from the instructor-student relationship in the traditional classroom environment. The virtual environment enables the instructor to get to know each students and challenge each student based upon his/her learning style, strengths and weaknesses.

From a broader perspective, the U.S. Department of Education encourages all states to establish and grow virtual schools through its National Educational Technology Plan. Nationwide, 24 states have state-sponsored, online education programs and there are more than 500,000 enrollments in online courses throughout the country.

The Virtual Learning Academy Charter School is New Hampshire's first statewide, on-line high school. It provides students with flexibility, choice, a personalized learning environment, and the opportunity to learn using the latest technology. Most importantly, the Academy provides every NH high school student with and equal learning opportunity.

Q. How does the instructor actively engage students in the on-line environment?
A. In the virtual classroom, every student is in the front row, actively engaged with the instructor. Each student is directly accountable for every query, question or exercise. Unlike the traditional classroom where instructors communicate with 25 students at one time, virtual instructors are in constant, one-to-one communication with each student. This environment enables the instructor to become familiar with the student's learning style and skills, and facilitate an effective, challenging learning opportunity for each student.

Technically, instructors communicate with students through the Academy's open source, Web-based course management system. The system enables instructors to upload and share materials, hold online discussions and chats, give quizzes and surveys, and gather and review assignments, and post grades. The system is password protected and meets stringent privacy and security standards to protect users.

Q. How do students interact and debate with other students on-line?
A. The Academy supports an open source Web based course management system that enables students to communicate with each other. Students can upload and share materials, hold online discussions and chats, and review assignments. This invaluable experience prepares students to easily adapt to a future academic or career environment in an expanding digital world.

Q. How involved can parents be? How are they informed about their child's progress?
A. Parents are encouraged to become involved in their child's academic career at the Academy. Enrolled students will be assigned a instructor advisor who maintains regular contact with parents about the student's progress. The advisor's role is to serve as a contact person for the student or parent regarding questions about courses, procedures, college placement.

In addition, students and parents receive a welcome call from the instructor. Other communication methods from the instructor include a phone call at least once a month and progress reports on the 15th of each month. The instructor will return all emails and phone calls from students and/or parents within 24 hours.


Q. How is the Virtual Learning Academy funded?
A. The Virtual Learning Academy is funded through the New Hampshire's Education Trust Fund, which exists solely to benefit NH's charter schools. State law gives the NH Legislature the authority and job to fund the state's charter schools. Current estimates calculate the Academy will receive $3,600 for each full-time student for the 2007 - 2008 & 2008 - 2009 school year. The Academy will prorate the tuition for part-time students based upon the full-time tuition rate. This tuition projection is based upon NH state law RSA 194-B:11.

Q. Do NH students pay to attend the Virtual Learning Academy?
A. High school students who reside in New Hampshire are eligible to apply and attend the Academy free of charge. The Academy accepts out-of-state students when seats are available; these students will be charged tuition for attending the school.

Q. Does funding for the Academy take away from money that supports NH public schools?
A. No. The state's Adequacy Education Fund and local property taxes fund New Hampshire's public education system. The state manages and distributes monies from these income sources to public school districts.

Q. Who can attend the Virtual Learning Academy?
A. Any high school student who resides in New Hampshire may apply to the Academy. The Academy will accept out-of-state high school students on a tuition basis.

Part-time students may enroll in the Academy for academic enrichment, accelerate their progress in a traditional high school program or finish uncompleted coursework. Students who intend to graduate from the Academy may apply to pursue full time studies.

Q. Does the Academy have an enrollment/admission process?
A. Yes, both part time and full time students are expected to be self motivated, possess good communication and writing skills, able to work independently, have good time management skills, and have access to a computer with an Internet connection.


In order to be eligible to become a full-time student at the VLACS a student must:

• Be a New Hampshire resident to qualify for free tuition or pay non-resident tuition in full upon admission
• Have not earned a high school diploma
• Not be expelled from a school or diploma granting program
• Successfully complete the admissions application including the submission of school transcripts
• Complete one or more half credit segments as a part time student with a 70% average or better as a part time student before becoming eligible for transitioning to full time status
• Receive a recommendation for acceptance by the VLACS admissions team
• Complete all coursework prior to their twenty-first birthday
• Submit all information required by the New Hampshire Department of Education to ensure eligibility for funding.

In order to be eligible to enroll in classes as a part-time student at the VLACS a student must:

• Be a New Hampshire resident to qualify for free tuition or pay non-resident tuition in full prior to enrollment
• Have not earned a high school diploma
• Not be expelled from a school or diploma granting program
• Successfully complete the enrollment process
• Complete all coursework prior to their twenty-first birthday
• Submit all information required by the New Hampshire Department of Education to ensure eligibility for funding.

Q. How does a student apply to the Academy?
A. Student applications can be accessed through the Academy's web site, www.vlacs.org, or by calling the Academy at (603) 778-2500.

Q. When can a student register for classes?
A. Students may register at anytime at the school's website.

Q. When do classes start?
A. Start times are flexible. During the registration process students will be asked to select a start time that meets their educational goals.

Q. Can students who dropped out of high school earn high school credits through the Academy?
A. Yes, these students are encouraged to apply to the Virtual Learning Academy. The Academy is available 24-7, offers flexible scheduling to complete coursework, and provides one-to-one interaction between the student and instructor, and as such is a viable option for older high school students who wish to earn a high school diploma without returning to the traditional classroom environment.

Q. How many classes can a student take through Virtual Learning Academy?
A. Full time students take a full course load of 6 credits per year. Part-time students can be active in no more than four classes at one time and may not take more than six credits between July 1st and June 30th of any year. Most of the Academy's courses are 1-credit classes, however 0.5 credit classes are also offered.

Q. What kind of courses can I take online?
A. VLACS offers over 50 courses ranging from middle school courses to AP courses and eStart courses which are offered for dual high school and college credit. A complete list of courses, along with course descriptions can be accessed at http://catalog.vlacs.org/.


A sampling of courses include:

AP courses

• AP U.S. History
• AP Calculus AB
• AP Biology
• AP Microeconomics & Macroeconomics

College Prep and Honors courses

• English I-IV
• Algebra I
• Geometry
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Marine Science
• Earth & Space Science
• Physics

Middle School Courses

• Math (3 levels)
• Reading
• Keyboarding
• Spanish

Additional course offerings

• Computer Programming Basic I
• Web Design I
• Foreign Languages: Spanish, Latin, Mandarin
• Personal Fitness
• SAT Prep.
• Thinking and Learning Strategies

Q. How does an online course work? Do I work at my own pace?
A. The Academy's instructors guide students through the on-line coursework, and students can complete the work at their own pace. For example, a strong math student can complete an Algebra course in 15 weeks, whereas a struggling Algebra student may take up to 38 weeks to complete the course. All submitted coursework is graded and returned to the student within 48 hours, unless some other arrangement between the instructor and student is made.

Q. How does the Academy develop its curriculum?
A. The Academy purchased most of its curriculum from the Florida Virtual School, a successful virtual school that has been operating since 1997. During the past 10 years, the FVS curriculum and coursework has been evaluated and revised to meet rigorous academic standards. In addition, FVS's instructors, administrators, students and parents continually evaluate the curriculum and coursework.

Q. How long will I have to complete a course?
A. The timeline for course completion will be flexible to meet the needs of students. Typically, students will complete a 1-credit course in about 38 weeks or complete a .5 credit course in 19 weeks. Students could opt to accelerate the pace of these courses or request additional time if they find the coursework too challenging.

Q. I have questions about courses, who should I contact?
A. If you have questions about enrollment, registration, or courses, visit the Academy's web site www.vlacs.org and select the Contact Us page for an email contact. You may also contact the Academy at (603) 778-2500 and the operator will direct the caller to the appropriate staff person.