iQ Academy Minnesota Welcomes Families to Explore Online School Option

FERGUS FALLS, Minn., March 23, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- iQ Academy Minnesota, an accredited online public school program of Fergus Falls Public Schools, welcomes students to enroll for the upcoming 2016-2017 school year. iQ Academy Minnesota uses an engaging, interactive online curriculum to educate students in grades K-12 who live anywhere in the state. With the ability to nurture different learning styles and the support of Minnesota-licensed teachers, iQ Academy is an option for families seeking an alternative to the traditional brick and mortar school model.

"From our use of the innovative Flipped Classroom Model to the ample opportunities we provide for advancement, iQ Academy is designed to offer a truly individualized education," said Theresa Gallagher, School Operations Manager at iQ Academy Minnesota. "We recognize that our students have a wide variety of interests, and we strive to ensure there are plenty of ways for them to further their academic career."

For example, the school places a special emphasis on providing students with opportunities to further their STEM education. For example, the school's Tech Specialist runs a weekly extracurricular STEAM session – with an "A" to recognize the arts – for interested students. The group has learned about digital music production and how to write HTML. Soon, they will undertake JavaScript.

"There's a lot of talk about coding being the second language of the future for students," said Jessie Thorstad, Technology Specialist at Fergus Falls Public Schools. "It needs to be something they're familiar with, and very few schools offer computer programming. This new STEAM session is just another way we can provide students with ways to take their education a step further."

iQ Academy is unique from other online programs in its use of the Flipped Classroom Model. Students first work independently through a topic of study in their online lessons, and then attend online "class connect" sessions hosted by the teacher, who facilitates deeper exploration of the topic through student discussion. As opposed to a traditional lecture, this approach maximizes the group's time and allows for further study through additional learning activities, during which the teacher can assist each child one at a time.

For grades K-5, iQ Academy Minnesota offers a rich mixture of online and offline lessons, including interactive animations and materials for hands-on activities. Lessons are followed by assessments, so parents can be sure that the student has mastered a particular area before moving on. The curriculum for grades 6-12 brings learning to life with dynamic lessons in all core subjects, including Advanced Placement® levels and a wide range of career-oriented electives.

Parents and students who are interested in learning more about iQ Academy Minnesota are invited to attend a Discovery Day in Bloomington on May 7, 2016. The event is a chance to meet with online school teachers and families, interact with the curriculum, and enjoy free admission to the Waterpark of America. Explore the school's website for details about Discovery Day and more chances to learn about iQ Academy.

About iQ Academy Minnesota
iQ Academy Minnesota is an accredited, full and part-time, online public school program of Fergus Falls Public Schools that serves students statewide in grades K through 12. As part of the Minnesota public school system, iQ Academy Minnesota is tuition-free, giving parents and families the choice to access the award-winning curriculum and tools provided by K¹² Inc. (NYSE: LRN), the nation's largest provider of proprietary curriculum and online education programs. For more information about iQ Academy Minnesota, visit iQAcademyMN.org.

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SOURCE iQ Academy Minnesota

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