Louisiana Virtual Charter Academy to Open Fall 2011

Innovative statewide online school now accepting applications for students in grades K-10

NEW ORLEANS, Feb. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Louisiana Virtual Charter Academy (LAVCA), one of the state's first online public charter schools, is now accepting student enrollment applications for Fall 2011.  

LAVCA, sponsored by the Community School for Apprenticeship Learning (CSAL), expects to serve over 1,000 students in grades K through 10 from all around the state.  The charter school was recently authorized by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.  

LAVCA will hold a series of events across the state in the coming weeks to give families the opportunity to find out more about this innovative, tuition-free public school option and receive enrollment information. A schedule of events in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and other cities, can be found at www.k12.com/lavca/.

Open to all Louisiana families, LAVCA will utilize high quality curriculum, technology, and school services offered by K12 Inc., America's largest provider of proprietary curriculum and online school programs in kindergarten through high school.  In partnership with school districts and public charter schools, K12 operates online public schools in 27 states and the District of Columbia.  Since 2000, K12 has provided over 2 million courses to tens of thousands of students in the U.S. and worldwide and consistently receives high marks from parents and teachers.  Students graduating from K12-operated schools have been accepted to some of the top colleges and universities in the country.

"We are excited to offer the students of Louisiana this excellent education option," said Dujan Johnson, Executive Director of CSAL. "The highly individualized program that LAVCA will offer students is exactly what many families are looking for in a school. I'm confident LAVCA will help increase opportunities for children and give families all over Louisiana a public school option that is high quality and accountable."

The K12® virtual school program combines its award-winning curriculum—using engaging online lessons and hands-on education materials—with highly skilled teachers, advisors, state-of-the-art technology, and numerous social opportunities that connect students to a vibrant school community.  From advanced learners to children with special needs, LAVCA will offer a flexible and personalized learning program that works for all types of students.

The school's teachers and administrators will be available for students and parents every step of the way.  Teachers provide instruction, guidance and support, and will communicate regularly with students and parents via phone, email, innovative web-based "e-classrooms," and face-to-face meetings.  Teachers will also organize school field trips, activities, clubs, and events for students and families.  

LAVCA will follow all the same state accountability standards.  Like students in brick and mortar schools, LAVCA students will be required to meet state attendance requirements and participate in state assessments, such as the Louisiana Education Assessment Program (LEAP) tests.

Online learning is one of the fastest growing segments in education according to the International Association for K-12 Online Learning.  The demand for online schools among parents and students is high, and many teachers are also choosing to pursue their profession in online schools.  A national report titled Keeping Pace with K-12 Online Learning shows that more than half the states in the U.S. offer full-time, statewide online public schools.  With LAVCA, Louisiana is the latest state to provide students the option of statewide online public charter schools.

More information on LAVCA, including a complete list of events around the state, can be found at www.k12.com/lavca/.

K12 is a registered trademark of K12 Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE Louisiana Virtual Charter Academy