Virtual school attendance on the rise in Arizona

PHOENIX - Class is beginning for more than 4,000 students at Arizona Virtual Academy.

They learn all the same lessons and have the same teachers, but the children are often hundreds of miles apart.

"This offers flexibility for out students and our parents," said Megan Henry, Head of School for Arizona Virtual Academy.

Students can "attend" class from anywhere an Internet connection is accessible.

The academy is a charter school funded by tax dollars and no tuition is paid.

If a family cannot afford a computer with internet access, the school will provide one.

It began in 2003 with only 200 students.

This year, administrators expect enrollment to top 5,000.

The school teaches children from the kindergarten level through twelfth grade.

Interactive lessons replace most textbooks, and assessments are done online as well giving instructors instant feedback on the progress of any particular student.

"We have a strong policy on academic integrity," explained Henry. "We can tell if a student is truly doing the work or not."

Teachers can tell how long a student worked on an assignment or test.

That way, they can gauge if a student is thinking about the questions or simply plugging in answers.

Students also have the option of attending class sessions in person.

The school has teamed with the Valley of the Sun YMCA to open 17 K-12 at the Y i-Learn centers, which offer computers and instructors to students who wish to do their work in a physical classroom environment.

If as student attends three or more sessions each week, they will be given a free YMCA membership.

The i-Learn centers are expanding to Globe and Kingman as well.

All teachers are state-certified and monitor student progress.

Help is only an email or phone call away.

Students also meet online in a "web conference" with classmates and teachers.

Henry says self starting students who work well independently will succeed in the program.

A parent or caregiver should also be an "education coach" who can help proctor tests and keep assignments moving along.

Henry points out that students without support at home or who don't work well independently may not be best served by the school.

Students with athletic desires may also find a better fit elsewhere.

Arizona Virtual Academy does not offer athletics, and unlike home school students, the Academy's children aren't allowed to participate on other schools' teams.

It's not a prohibition on the Academy's part, but rather the school districts.

"It all comes down to money," said Henry.

School districts are given money for each student who attends.

That money is also given if a home school student attends a class or plays sports.

But if the student attend Arizona Virtual Academy or any other charter school, the money will not follow them if they were to attend programs at traditional schools.

"We're trying to come up with a solution, but it's matter for the state legislature," said Henry.

Those drawbacks set aside, Henry says it may not be the best option for everyone, but it does offer something other schools can't

"We're lucky we can offer so much choice."

For more information on the Arizona Virtual Academy, click here .