Andover eCademy Graduates First Senior From Inaugural Program

ANDOVER, Kan. May 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As a student at Andover eCademy, 18-year old Shelby Bolton is used to being on her own in class. Today, she was on her own again, as the only member of the Andover eCademy class of 2011, the first graduating class of the program.

"To be the first graduate from the eCademy is a huge privilege and honor," she said Wednesday, prior to a ceremony at the school in her honor. "It is very exciting to be done with this 12 year journey."

Bolton, of Smith Center, is the epitome of an eCademy student, said director Shannon Fisher. "Andover eCademy is perfect for students like Shelby who need flexible learning schedules. She juggled school and a full-time job all year.  We are so proud of her for making her education a priority and earning her diploma."

Andover eCademy offers flexible scheduling and a personalized education plan for each student, maximizing each child's unique learning potential and catering directly to their individual learning needs.

For Bolton, a lifeguard with an interest in psychology, she said the personalization and flexibility of the program worked for her, and her classes are already shaping her future.  "Andover eCademy definitely taught me how to be responsible with my time. And the psychology course influenced me and showed me how interested I was in that field. I am still undecided on what I want to do after graduation, but I think that a degree in psychology is in my future [thanks to that class]!"

To graduate from Andover eCademy, students are required to have 25 credits -- 16 core credits and nine electives. Students like Shelby also have access to guidance counselors for help in future planning, college searches, and securing scholarships. But most importantly, every Andover eCademy graduate receives a state-certified diploma issued by the Andover School District.

"Andover eCademy is proud to provide the students of Kansas with access to the best curriculum, teachers, and resources available while allowing them to learn at a pace and in a location that works for them," said Fisher. "We are extremely happy and proud of our first graduate and look forward to educating and graduating many more."

To learn more about Andover eCademy, go to www.andoverecademy.org.  

About Andover eCademy: Andover eCademy is an online public school program open to all Kansas students, grades kindergarten through 12^th.  Andover eCademy offers high-quality, state-certified education from the Andover school system online, tuition-free and with minimal student fees. Enrollment for the 2011-2012 school year is currently underway. To learn more about Andover eCademy, visit www.andoverecademy.org and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AndovereCademy.

About NNDS: The National Network of Digital Schools (NNDS) is a 501(c)3 non-profit management foundation, dedicated to providing the highest quality K-12 online curriculum and comprehensive management services to traditional brick & mortar schools, charter schools and cyber schools focused on expanding educational opportunities for students. As a community foundation, NNDS also lends financial support to educational initiatives that expand opportunities for young people. NNDS is the exclusive provider of Lincoln Interactive online curriculum and has received corporate accreditation from AdvancED.

Primary Contact: Keturah Austin |316-619-6599 (c)
Secondary Contact: Toni Cicone Craig | 724-544-3744 (c)

SOURCE National Network of Digital Schools