Valley of the Sun Y Partners With K12 to Expand iLearn Centers Across Arizona

Specialized Online Programs to Assist in Youth Development

PHOENIX, Aug. 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Valley of the Sun Y and K12  Inc., the nation's largest provider of proprietary curriculum and online school programs for students in kindergarten through high school, are partnering to open over 15 iLearn Centers across the state of Arizona.

In 2002, the Valley of the Sun Y launched their innovative community-based youth development program called iLearn to address the student dropout problem among Arizona high schools. The partnership with K12 will expand the program to hundreds of new students beginning this fall.

The K12 iLearn Centers are available to high school students who are in the Arizona Virtual Academy (AZVA), the state's largest online public charter school.  K12 provides its award-winning curriculum and academic services to AZVA.  

The K12 iLearn Centers are planning to expand to serve elementary and middle school students later this year.

"The iLearn Centers and K12 are a perfect fit," said Megan Henry, AZVA Head of School. "The programs give students access to innovative technology and individualized attention so they can achieve their educational potential.  Today more than ever, we need to be giving students every opportunity possible to earn success."

The K12 iLearn Centers provide specialized youth programming, including an online curriculum for dropout and at-risk high school students, allowing students to complete approved coursework requirements necessary to earn a high school diploma. In most cases, the K12 iLearn sessions will be four hours with students attending one session per day. Students may attend any number of days during the week.  

"We are extremely proud of our iLearn Centers and excited to be expanding these programs across the state of Arizona through our new partnership with K12," stated Executive Vice President of Community Relations & CFDO Ed Hendricks.   "Our programs help children access the best education and assist in youth development with community support."

K12 iLearn students' families will be offered special family membership pricing, access to all facilities via complimentary membership, and access to Y sponsored programs. Parents of K12 iLearn students are eligible for a discounted family membership at the Y.  

Y locations offering the K12 iLearn Centers will include Maryvale, Christown, Lincoln/Downtown, Southwest Valley, Paiute Community Center, South Mountain, Mesa, Flagstaff, Yuma, Tempe, Glendale/Peoria, Scottsdale/Paradise Valley, Desert Foothills, Ahwatukee, East Valley, Maryvale Los Artes Center, and Copper Basin. Many will open as soon as this August.

Families interested in enrolling in the Arizona Virtual Academy and participating in the K12 iLearn Centers can find more information at www.K12.com/azva.

K12 Inc. is the nation's largest provider of proprietary curriculum and online education programs for students in kindergarten through high school. K12 provides its innovative, award-winning curriculum and academic services to online public and private schools, traditional classrooms, blended school programs, and directly to families. K12 has provided over 1.5 million courses to more than 150,000 students worldwide, and has received numerous awards and honors for academic achievement and innovation. Over 95 percent of parents surveyed are satisfied with the K12 program and agree that their children have benefited academically with K12. More information can be found at www.K12.com.

The Valley of the Sun YMCA is the largest non-profit human services agency in Arizona. The Y is well known for health and fitness programs, youth sports, gymnastics, and camping and swimming. The Y is also the largest school-age childcare provider in the state, and offers many innovative programs for teens, families and senior adults.  

SOURCE K12 Inc.