Wisconsin Virtual Academy Seeks Approval, Students For 2002-2003; School Reps. Meet with Prospective Families, Students, Teachers 2/12/2002
From: Jason Bertsch of K12 Inc., 703-970-8002 WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 -- The Wisconsin Virtual Academy, one of the state's most innovative public "virtual" education programs, is seeking approval to open in the fall of 2002 and is now hosting "Open Houses" throughout the state. Supported by Wisconsin parents and educators, the Academy is partnering with K12 Inc., which will provide curriculum and management services to the school if approved. The Academy is working with several school districts and has received preliminary approval from one of those districts. The proposed school aims to provide any Wisconsin family with access to a world-class education and plans to open this September for children in grades kindergarten through five. The school will eventually serve children all across the state in grades kindergarten through twelve. The Wisconsin Virtual Academy will deliver everything needed to provide a world-class education, including books and hands-on instructional materials, Wisconsin-certified teacher support, a computer, an Internet connection and printer, and high-quality learning and assessment programs. The school's unique "team teaching" approach involves a powerful partnership between teachers and parents in which children receive individual attention and a personalized course of instruction. In the Wisconsin Virtual Academy, students complete their daily coursework using the K12 curriculum. Most student work will be completed away from the computer using books, workbooks, art supplies, and manipulatives. The Wisconsin Virtual Academy will focus on six core subjects: Math, Language Arts, History, Science, Art, and Music. William J. Bennett, former U.S. Secretary of Education and chairman of K12, said: "This proposed school will broaden access to an excellent education and spark more parental involvement in education. In my view, and in the view of most public- and private-school teachers, that is one of the most important things we can do to improve America's schools." According to Ron Packard, K12's chief executive officer, "Our hope is to use technology, where appropriate, to provide virtual schools with a world-class curriculum. This proposed school would provide access to top-quality academic content to students in every corner of Wisconsin. We aim to raise academic achievement while also addressing the digital divide. The program would combine high academic standards and compelling content, and offer a self-paced learning program that allows gifted students to excel and helps students having difficulty spend more time where needed. The 'team-teaching' approach is an extremely important development that would benefit many, many children in Wisconsin." The Wisconsin Virtual Academy will be hosting free informational "Open Houses" from Feb. 13-21. At these 90-minute sessions, parents can learn about the school, see the K12 Curriculum and materials in action, and understand the requirements for enrolling for this coming fall. The Open Houses are the ideal opportunity for parents to get their questions answered and to find out if the Wisconsin Virtual Academy is the right choice for their family. Open House information follows (two separate Open Houses will be held at each location at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.): -- City, Date, Location, Phone Number -- Racine, 2/13/02, Riverside Days Inn, 3700 Northwestern Ave, 262-637-9311 -- Milwaukee, 2/14/2002, Courtyard Brookfield, 16865 W. Bluemound, Brookfield, 262-821-1800 -- Eau Clair, 2/18/2002, Ramada Inn of Eau Claire, 1202 W Clairmont Ave, 715-834-6611 -- Sheboygan, 2/18/2002, American Club @ Inn on Woodlake, 705 Woodlake Road, 920-457-8000 -- Green Bay, 2/19/2002, Brown County Library, 515 Pine Street, 920-448-4400 -- La Crosse, 2/19/2002, La Crosse Public Library, 800 Main Street, 608-789-7100 -- Wausau, 2/20/2002, Marathon County Historical Society, 410 McIndoe Street, 715-842-5750 -- Janesville, 2/20/2002, Ramada Inn, 3431 Milton Ave., 608-756-2341 -- Madison, 2/21/2002, Madison Concourse Hotel, One West Dayton Street, 608-257-6000 -- Appleton, 2/21/2002, Holiday Inn Select Appleton, 150 Nicolet Rd., 920-735-9955 About K12 In development since 1999, K12 is led by the former U.S. Secretary of Education, William J. Bennett, and an experienced team of learning and technology experts who share the belief that a challenging, enriching education should be readily available to all children. K12's programs include a complete learning program for children as well as an array of supplementary learning and assessment tools. A recent independent study from KPMG found that K12 features "a rigorous assessment plan," provides "flexible accommodations for various learning styles," and is "systematically designed, clearly written, research-based." Programs for grades K-5 will be available in 2002. For more information, visit www.K12.com or call 1-888-968-7512 (toll free). For more information, contact Jason Bertsch at 703-970-8002 | |