Georgia virtual academy, did any one use this online curriculum for home school this year, ifso what's it like

Question

i want this to be a top post no extra comments please, just answer.! thanks

Answer 1

You already asked this three hours ago.  I answered the first time you asked it.  You might want to consider deleting this duplicate.

Answer 2

We used it since October 2007 for 5th grade course work.  My son does take 7th grade Algebra.

I find it to be very good for it's purpose.  It allows the student to be at home taking classes with a "learning coach" (Mom or Dad) assisting as needed.  At this grade, my son is self sufficient and logs on every day and does his work.  Mostly I assist with algebra with some assistance in history,  and literature.

If sending your son/daughter to a public school is troubling as far as the peer pressure, bad influences, etc.. this is definitely the way to go.  We could no longer afford private tuition and we tried public school for third grade.  Third grade was rotten as the culture clash from private to public was great.

The courses are all online.  All the books, workbooks, teacher answer books are sent "FREE" and brand new.  they even send rocks, sand and beakers for science classes including large world maps for history.  

The lessons are all computer based.  Think Powerpoint presentations with audio.  It's material presented in a bright clear format.  

A teacher at the beginning of the year is assigned to every student in the teacher's local area.  The teacher may have as many as 60 students local.  Our teacher has a Masters degree in education.  The drawback I've seen is there is little interaction between the teacher and my son.  There may be a net meeting session about every 6 weeks, but it's not mandatory.  I've never spoke to the teacher on the phone but have traded emails.  

Honestly I haven't needed her for teaching but sometimes I have questions about a process.

The student must attend a minimum of 5 hours per day in Georgia.  About 100% of the time all work can be completed within about 2 hours!  We completed a years material of Science by Christmas.  Algebra is challenging as it's two grade levels higher but it takes about an hour per day.

The class work is not easy but it's not very difficult either.  I think the amount of material covered per day could easily be increased without harming the student's learning.

The staff at K12 is very professional, more so than our local county schools.  

To begin enrolling in Georgia Virtual Academy (GVA) your student must take a battery of tests online.  Each tests gets increasingly more difficult.  Once all the tests have been completed, the results are sent via internet to K12.  They evaluate the test scores and place your child in the appropriate grade level of classes.  

The testing process took about 4-6 hours.

K12 will send you a very large shipment of everything that is needed for your school year.  If your economic circumstances are challenging you may qualify for a free computer they will send you.  

We have re-enrolled our son for 6th grade this coming year.  School year begins after Labor Day and goes to about June 10.  Homework is controlled by you, you can assign nor not assign homework.  The program does not assign homework.

Field trips occur during the year.  Lake Lanier Islands for the end of year party.

Hope this helps.

Bob