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Frequently Asked Questions
Student & Parents
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 teacher. 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.
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Q. What credentials must Virtual Learning Academy teachers have?
A. All Virtual Learning Academy teachers 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 teachers 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 teachers will be hired. The Academy’s administrators anticipate that traditional classroom teachers will apply for available teaching jobs. After the Academy’s first year, all teachers will be provided with a mentor who will provide professional coaching, support and advice.
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?
A. 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.
Another benefit the Academy offers is the one-to-one communication between the teacher and student, which is vastly different from the teacher-student relationship in the traditional classroom environment. The virtual environment enables the teacher to get to know each student and challenge each person 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, on-line education programs and there are more than 500,000 enrollments in online courses throughout the country. Most importantly, the Academy provides every NH high school student with an equal learning opportunity.
Q. Do I have to 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 has plans to accept out-of-state, New England high school students; these students will be charged tuition.
Q. How does the teacher actively engage students in the on-line environment?
A. In the virtual classroom, every student is in the front row, actively engaged with the teacher. Each student is directly accountable for every query, question or exercise. Unlike the traditional classroom where teachers communicate with 25 students at one time, virtual teachers are in constant, one-to-one communication with each student. This environment enables the teacher to become familiar with the student’s learning style and skills, and facilitate an effective, challenging learning opportunity for each student.
Technically, teachers communicate with students through the Academy’s web-based course management system. The system enables teachers 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.
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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 teacher 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, and college placement.
In addition, students and parents receive a welcome call from the teacher. Other communication methods from the teacher include a phone call at least once a month and progress reports on the 15th of each month. The teacher will return all emails and phone calls from students and/or parents within 24 hours.
Q. Who can attend The Virtual Learning Academy?
A. Any high school student, who resides in New Hampshire, can apply to the Academy. The Academy has plans to open enrollment to out-of-state students who reside in New England.
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 pursue full time studies in the Fall 2008 semester.
Q. Does the Academy have an admission process?
A. Yes. Every applicant must apply and 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.
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. Prospective students may submit their application through the Academy’s web site or mail their application to: Virtual Learning Academy Charter School, 30 Linden Street, Exeter, NH 03833.
Q. When can I 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 with their educational goals.
Q. How do students register for a class?
A. Students may register through the Academy’s website at www.vlacs.org.
Q. How many classes can a student take through the Virtual Learning Academy?
A. Full time students take a full course load of 5 credits annually. Part-time students may take 0.5 to 4 credits annually. Most of the Academy’s courses are 1-credit classes, however 0.5 credit classes will be offered.
Q. How do online students socialize with other students?
A. Online students typically take one or two courses, which blends their learning opportunities with traditional classroom instruction. Full time virtual school students often engage actively with their peers both online and in their communities. Many assignments are project based and require the student to interview community members and report about their observations.
In the on-line environment, the Academy supports an open source Web course management system that enables students to easily communicate with each other and/or their teachers. All parties can upload and share materials, hold online discussions and chats, give quizzes and surveys, and gather and review assignments. This is an invaluable experience prepares students to easily adapt to a future academic or career environment in an expanding digital world.
Q. What type of classes will the Academy offer in 2007-2008?
A. The Academy will offer college prep, honors and AP courses.
AP courses offerings are:
- AP English Language and Composition
- AP Calculus AB
- AP Biology
- AP Microeconomics
College Prep and Honors course offerings are:
- English IV
- Algebra I
- Geometry
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Marine Science
- Physics
Additional course offerings include:
- Computer Programming Basic I
- Spanish I
- Thinking and Learning Strategies
- SAT Prep
We will be adding new courses to our catalog in March. Please visit our website to see our latest listing of classes.
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Q. How does an online course work? Do I work at my own pace?
A. The Academy’s teachers 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 teacher 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, national and state standards. In addition, FVS’s teachers, 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.
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