Press Release

SAU 16 Launches NH’s First Statewide On-Line High School Virtual School Delivers Any Time, Any Where Access to Rigorous, Personalized Education

Exeter, NH – After many years of planning, NH’s first statewide on-line high school, the Virtual Learning Academy Charter School, is scheduled to make its Internet debut in January2008. The Virtual Learning Academy’s goal is to use the latest internet technologies to provide NH’s high school students any time, any where access to a rigorous, personalized education that helps them learn today, graduate tomorrow and prepare for the future. The Academy succinctly promotes its educational vision as Click, Learn, Succeed. The Academy is an innovative venture initiated by the SAU 16; it is an independent organization that will have its own Board of Trustees and IRS tax identification number.

“At the Virtual Learning Academy all students are in the front row,” said Arthur (Skip) Hanson, Superintendent of the Exeter Region Cooperative School District, SAU 16. “In the traditional classroom environment a teacher will instruct a group of students. In the on-line learning environment a student has one-to-one interaction with the teacher and is directly accountable for every query, question or exercise.

The Virtual Learning Academy will offer NH students college-prepatory classes, advanced placement courses and special interest classes such as Biology, Computer Science, Calculus, Economics or English. The Academy will benefit high school students who attend school districts that do not have the student population or funding to offer advanced classes in these and other subjects. Another advantage is the Virtual Learning Academy’s accessibility 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year. This will benefit students who have work or internship schedules that conflict with classes offered in a traditional school.

“The great value the Virtual Learning Academy brings to students is the ability to complete both coursework and active learning at their convenience and at a learning pace that adapts to each student’s needs,” said Steve Kossakoski, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of the Virtual Learning Academy. “The Academy’s flexible and personalized instruction offers unlimited opportunities to our state’s high school students.”

Most of the Virtual Learning Academy’s curriculum will be purchased from the Florida Virtual School (FLVS), a pioneer in virtual school learning that started in 1997 and has an enrollment of more than 60,000 students. Currently, FLVS provides course content to all Florida school districts, and virtual schools in 26 states.

In addition, the arrangement between both schools gives the Academy’s staff and teachers access to FLVS consultants, who will offer training on course curriculum, content, and specialized training and mentoring for teachers. These efforts were created to help implement and manage NH’s first endeavor with an on-line, virtual school and bring the successes of FLVS to New Hampshire. A recent FLVS survey found that 48% students felttheir online courses were better or much better than traditional classroom experiences. Surveys also identified that parents are supportive of FLVS: 56% felt their child learned more in the online format than traditional schooling, while 27% believed the virtual school delivered the same quality.

“The Virtual Learning Academy will give many of our New Hampshire high school students the opportunity to enhance their current learning experience,” said Lyonel B. Tracy, Commissioner of NH’s Department of Education. “It is truly an exciting endeavor that I believe will have positive long-term implications for our state, school administrators, students and their parents.”

Currently, the Virtual Learning Academy receives state-funded tuition through New Hampshire’s Education Trust Fund, which solely funds NH’s charter schools. Plans are to supplement this funding with grants and out-of-state student tuition. Out-of-state, New England students will be able to apply to the Academy after NH students register. Cost for out-of-state students is 125% of the tuition rate for NH students.

Virtual Learning Academy students will undergo an admission process because on-line learning is different from the traditional classroom experience. The Academy’s 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. Admitted students will be assigned a teacher advisor who maintains regular contact with the student and parent.

All Virtual Learning Academy teachers will be NH certified and deemed as highly qualified according to state standards. The Academy’s administrators will conduct a specialized, comprehensive hiring process for potential teachersto ensure they are willing to accept and enjoy the unique and demanding challenges of on-line teaching.

Students may register for one or more classes, with part-time student registration for the Virtual Learning Academy’s Winter 2008 Semester beginning October 1st. The Academy will accept full-time students, who intend to graduate from the school, starting in September 2008. For more information about the Virtual Learning Academy, student enrollment or teaching opportunities, please visit the Academy’s website at www.vlacs.org and complete the automated email contact form or call 603-778-2500. Web visitors are encouraged to view the web site frequently, as it will be updated throughout the Fall months with news and information.

Back to the Top