FAQs- General
What grades are offered by the Arizona Virtual Academy?
AZVA will offer grades K-12 in the 2008-2009 school year.
What subjects will my child study?
Language arts, math, science, history, music, and art are the core courses. There will also be other courses in the appropriate grade levels, such as physical education. High school students also take a foreign language course, and have access to electives and AP courses as well.
Does the program provide textbooks and other instructional materials?
Yes, we provide all the textbooks and instructional materials that are needed to complete the program in grades K-8. These books and materials are sent to students directly. High school students receive fewer books and materials than elementary and middle-school students, as a majority of their materials and lessons are delivered online.
Can my child work at his or her own pace?
The K-8 program is self-paced and flexible within the parameters specified by state law. The high school program is a combination of self-paced work and scheduled lessons and activities.
How much time do students spend on the computer?
We expect that students will spend no more than 20 to 25 percent of their time on the computer in the early grades. We believe in a balanced approach toward education. Computers help us provide you with effective assessment, planning, and time-management tools. Computers also act as powerful teaching tools that can motivate, stimulate, and inform children about the world around them. They do not, however, replace a solid education. Rather, they help facilitate one. That's why we use a unique multimedia approach that also includes a great deal of well-written and design textbooks, workbooks, and hands-on instructional materials. At the high-school level, students will spend nearly their entire school day online.
Do you provide curriculum for special needs children?
Depending on a child’s IEP, we can tailor our curriculum to meet your needs. To discuss your child’s needs with us, please contact our office and we will put you in touch with our special education team.
Can you accommodate the accelerated learning needs of my gifted/talented child?
The beauty of our K-8 program is that it is flexible enough to meet children where they are in any given subject and take them where they want to go. So, for example, if your fourth grader is doing math on a sixth-grade level and reading on a fourth-grade level, we can tailor your curriculum and lesson plans to meet his abilities. High school students have the opportunity to take more advanced courses, including Advanced Placement courses for college credit. Learn more.
Since students do not go to a physical school building every day, how do they interact socially?
Throughout the year, students are invited to participate in school outings, field trips (e.g., to historical sites, museums, zoos), picnics, and other social events. We expect local clusters of students and parents to get together on a regular basis in their areas. We also are exploring new ways to interact socially using the powerful reach of the Internet, like our optional nationwide family directory. With online discussions and forums, new types of communities can be formed that are based not on geography and place but on shared interests.
Will this program intrude into my home?
There are no home visits as part of the program, and there are no cameras or any other intrusions into your home. This school was created to help your child obtain a first-class education and serve your family's needs. If you ever feel that it is not right for your family or your child, you can disenroll your child at any time.
How do I enroll my student?
Complete the AZVA Online Enrollment Form for the 2008-2009 school year. You will need to provide copies of the following documents with your student's enrollment:
- Birth certificate
- Records of immunization
- Proof of residence (tax record or utility bill)
- Prior year school report card or withdrawal form
- High school transcript (if applicable)
- Proof of guardianship (if applicable)
- PHLOTE (Primary Home Language Other Than English) Survey
The Enrollment Checklist at the beginning of the Online Enrollment Form will help you be sure you have fulfilled all of AZVA's enrollment requirements.
How will I know when my student's enrollment has been approved?
The AZVA Enrollment Processing Center will contact you, indicating that your enrollment has been approved or noting documents that are still needed to completely process your application. An AZVA representative will call you to discuss enrollment in the program and course placement.
Can students do extracurricular activities in their resident district?
This decision is made on a district-by-district basis.
How can I view AZVA’s annual financial report?
You can visit the Arizona Department of Education’s website here, and select “PPEP and Affiliates, Inc. dba Arizona Virtual Academy” from the drop-down list.
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