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Coffee County School System and Carthage Virtual Learning Center share their stories of building virtual high schools.

Virtual courses are a trend sweeping high schools across the nation and even becoming a requirement in some states. As student choice and course flexibility become a higher priority, demand is only expected to grow. In Coffee County, GA, and Carthage, MO, two administrators took the next step by launching their own virtual schools. Leaders from each of these districts recognized the need and saw the benefits of providing their entire student population, regardless of ability level, the freedom to choose their own learning paths. Both districts use a blended learning approach that gives students the freedom to attend school in-person to complete courses or take them virtually, whatever fits their schedule the best.

The success of Carthage Virtual Learning Center (VLC) can clearly be seen through increased graduation and completion rates. In Coffee County, a partnership with Wiregrass Georgia Technical College (WGTC) has helped the district blaze a trail with a regional, dual-credit program that accelerates education by offering students the option to graduate from high school with a diploma and a 2-year college degree. Here’s how the two districts have made virtual schools a reality.

Coffee County School System

In 2013, Coffee County opened the doors to its newest high school, the Coffee County College and Career Academy. The school was designed to offer students the opportunity to earn college credits while still in high school. The following year, the district partnered with WGTC to create the Wiregrass Regional College and Career Academy (WRCCA), expanding course offerings and creating a dual-credit pipeline so students can work toward their diploma and a 2-year degree simultaneously. The first-of-its-kind regional partnership and dual-credit option saves students years of completing general education courses, and saves their parents thousands of dollars, thanks to Georgia’s state-funded Move on When Ready program, which offers free college credits to qualified high school students.

WRCCA is available for students enrolled in Coffee County Schools and those in 11 surrounding counties throughout southern Georgia. Students in participating counties can enroll in the Coffee County School District and take advantage of WRCCA, making Coffee County a regional destination for graduation.

“The fact that we can offer a free, dual-credit program to students in 11 counties is a true testament to the dedication of our team and our community,” says Dr. Morris Leis, Coffee County’s superintendent. “It’s been my long-term goal to take our mission of preparing students for the future beyond Coffee County. Thanks to our partnership with WGTC, we’re able to do that, offering online options to thousands of students outside our district lines.”

Creating a blended-learning curriculum that meets the standards of 20 area high schools and aligns with college requirements takes a great deal of planning for both high school teachers and college professors. To customize each course and lesson to fit the needs of each student, the teams collaborate using the flexible online curriculum Odysseyware.

Some students enrolled at WRCCA take most of their courses virtually, so they visit a school building less than one day a week. Even when students are taking classes virtually, they have teachers at their disposal and can contact them via email, or schedule virtual or in-person meetings for additional help. The freedom to choose what courses they prefer to take in-person or online puts students in charge of their own education. Taking on this responsibility gives them a taste of life after high school and builds their confidence in their future.

In southwest Missouri, Carthage R-9 School District serves approximately 4,500 K-12 students. Along with traditional in-person courses, students in grades 9–12 have the option to enroll in the Carthage VLC. Offered jointly since 2007 by the state-organized Missouri Options program and the Carthage school district, this alternative learning path helps students who need a non-traditional learning path receive a high school diploma. The serious, focused, and quiet atmosphere is aimed to help students determined to succeed. The program is popular with at-risk students on the edge of graduating on time, and many students also take advantage of the self-paced virtual option to move faster than the traditional classroom—and even graduate early.

The effectiveness of Carthage VLC can be seen in increased enrollment numbers, a decreased drop-out rate, and successful VLC graduates. In 2007, students passed only 49% of VLC classes. In 2014, the number jumped to 98.5%. As for VLC graduates, the number increased from 58 students in 2007 to 111 students in 2014.

“This generation has grown up with computers and technology everywhere, so they are quite comfortable in—and even oftentimes prefer—our classroom and method of learning,” says Leigh Shoup, the director of Carthage VLC. “We often have students that have not been successful in the traditional, seated classroom and are finally able to find success once they get here.”

Using Odysseyware’s customizable digital curriculum, teachers personalize digital courses for every student, from gifted and at-risk to English language learners and special ed. Teachers can also choose to create their own lessons from scratch by uploading tests and assignments into the platform.

Once students are enrolled, they get a list of assignments to be completed with guidance from VLC staff and a Carthage teacher or counselor. With 108 standards-aligned courses to choose from, students are allotted up to 18 weeks to complete a course, starting at any time during the school year. Incomplete work or a zero on any assignment for test is not accepted. As a VLC requirement and to ensure engagement in online courses, students are required to take handwritten notes that can be used during any tests, assignments, and on the finals. When they complete a course, students turn in their notes, which are graded. Students can earn 3-5 bonus percentage points for good quality course notes. As an added perk, VLC offers cash drawings at the end of each quarter to students who complete their coursework.

The VLC serves students with a wide variety of academic abilities. In one classroom, you can find a valedictorian and the person ranked last in their class. The self-paced and independent-focused environment gives VLC educators the freedom to work one-on-one with students without disrupting the pace of others. Teachers meet with every student at least once a week to discuss his or her progress and goals, and to address potential roadblocks when necessary. VLC teachers also keep parents updated about their child’s progress by sending letters home and making themselves readily available for conversations.

Their approaches may be different, but Carthage VLC and WRCCA both provide the type of education every student is entitled to—one that meets their individual needs, guides them to success, and prepares them for college, career, and beyond.