Information about the k12/Virtual Academy?

Question

1. Is it expensive?

2. Is it even effective?

3. is there some kind of minimum time to do classes per day or something?

4. What's the difference between the private and public school curriculums?

5. If it's an on line thing, why are there programs for Arizona and stuff... unless I misunderstood?

sorry there are a lot but I really want to gethome schooled and I'm trying to get informed. THANKS!!!!

Answer 1

1a.  It's only "expensive" if you use it as a private homeschooler.  But expensive is relative.  We've used it for 6 years and it's been worth every penny we paid.

1b.  It's not expensive at all, in fact it's free (normal PS fees apply) if you use it as part of a virtual charter school, which is an online public school, or "public school at home".  Just like your local public schools, it's free.

2.  It's extremely effective.  My son's test scores are an example.  This year, in 4th grade, on the EXPLORE test, through a university talent search, he scored better than 90% of 8th graders overall, and better than 99% of them in grammar (K12 starts grammar in 1st grade).  Last year, as a 3rd grader, his composite score was also better than 90% of 8th graders (the typical takers of the test) and he scored better than 99% of them in science.  He's consistently scored all 99's (the highest you can get) on his standardized achievement tests.

3.  *If* you use K12 through a public charter school, you will need to abide by their attendance requirements, which are set by the state, just like any other PS.  If you use the K12 iCademy, it will vary depending on classes.  If you use K12 as an independent HS'er (Consumer Direct), you can set your own schedules and attendance hours - we do.  We school year-round and have a four-day school week.

4.  The K12 curriculum is *no* different from each way to use it.  The only variance is who pays for it.  It's a curriculum just like Sonlight, Abeka, BJUP, AOP, etc.  So if you use a virtual academy, like AZVA, you're going to have the exact same curriculum as my son who's a direct consumer.  Some of the public virtual schools require additional classes to meet the PS rules of the state.  These would be state history, PE, civics, etc., that are not part of K12's catalog.

5.  It's an "online thing" because the lessons are delivered online.  You log in to do your lessons and submit work via the 'net.  There "programs for AZ" because AZ allows virtual charter public schools.  So AZVA is the K12 VA in AZ.  There are virtual academies (VA's) in many states.  Many state also have virtual public school programs using K12 that aren't managed by K12, such as the Lawrence Virtual School in KS.  They just purchase the curriculum, whereas AZVA is also using K12's curriculum and also using their school management systems.

No matter how one uses the K12 curriculum, it's going to be online.  That's their whole reason for existance - to deliver quality, in-depth, curriculum to all types of learners in all types of situations.  They even have some brick & mortar public schools using the curriculum with Smart Boards.

If you use AZVA, you won't technically be HS'ed.  You'll still be a public schooled student; you'll just be learning from home.  You'll have assigned teachers and deadlines etc.

If you want to be a *true* HS'er, then you'd purchase K12 to use as any other curriculum.  For K-8 you'd have one cost and for 9-12, you'd use the private virtual school classes/schools.

Answer 2

1. No, it is absolutley free

2. Yes, and the materials are amazing

3. No, you just must finish ever subject you are assigned for that day

4. I am really not sure!

5. I think you're misunderstood

Answer 3

(1) It's free if you use the Virtual Academy.  You can also buy the curriculum - or the subjects that you want to use - in which case it is pricey.

(2) Depends on the student.  Some kids do well with a standard textbook curriculum.  Others, like my child, found it very dry and boring.

(2) If you use the Virtual Academy, no one will track your hours, although you are expected to log them on line.  You will have a teacher visiting your home to answer general questions and to make sure you are doing your work.  You will also be subject to the rules of your public school system.  One example - you will need to operate on the public school schedule.  Another - you will need to take any state achievement tests required of public school students.

(4) Public school curriculums are set by the state.  All public schools are expected to teach this curriculum, no matter the needs of their students.  Private schools do not have government oversight, which gives them much more freedom.

(5) It's online in that a portion of your work, plus your recordkeeping, are done online.  There are programs to bring students together for various activities, such as field trips.

If you are interested, give it a try.  You can always change your mind, which is one of the beauties of homeschooling.  We used the K12 curriculum for about 4 months, found that it did not meet our needs, and changed our method to something that suits us much better.  It does, however, work well for many people.

All the best.

Answer 4

K12 can be free depending on where you live. There is no min time to do classes but you do need to log at least 5 hours a day.

For AZ there are 2 free online charters. All programs are different.