By: Jordan Meadows
Staff Writer
As students and parents increasingly seek alternatives to traditional schooling, a shift towards innovative education models reshapes how children learn. Dissatisfaction with conventional classrooms—whether stemming from concerns over quality, safety, or personalized learning—has led many families to explore options like homeschooling, charter schools, private schools, and virtual schooling.
According to recent estimates, the number of virtual and homeschooled students in the United States has surged from approximately 2.5 million in 2019 to nearly 4 million today, reflecting a growing trend among families eager to customize their children’s education to better suit student learning preferences.
Education management organizations like K12, Inc. are redefining the landscape of online learning. K12 offers comprehensive online and blended education programs that serve students from kindergarten through 12th grade. By providing an alternative to traditional “brick and mortar” education, K12 empowers families to access high-quality, flexible learning experiences that meet their children’s unique needs and wants. K12 exemplifies the growing trend toward digital learning solutions that challenge the status quo and broaden educational horizons.
As of now, 691 virtual schools enroll close to 5 million students—a remarkable increase from fewer than half a million just a decade ago. In K12’s virtual learning environments, state-certified teachers guide students through virtual sessions, known as “Class Connects”. As students progress from elementary school to middle school to high school, the curriculum becomes more independent, fostering self-directed learning that prepares them for future academic and career pursuits.
The benefits of virtual learning extend beyond academic flexibility; they also cultivate a sense of responsibility and independence in students. By navigating a blend of guided instruction and self-paced coursework, learners are empowered to take charge of their education, preparing them not only for higher education but for the challenges of the real world as well. The combination of robust online resources and supportive community structures makes virtual schooling a compelling choice for many families seeking alternatives to traditional education.
The Insight School of Washington (ISWA), a virtual academy operating under K12 for nearly two decades, is redefining education for students in Spokane, just outside Seattle. With nearly 2,000 enrolled students, ISWA offers a unique approach that recognizes that many factors—such as learning difficulties, behavioral challenges, or issues like bullying—can hinder a student’s academic journey. ISWA provides a fresh start with tailored support that meets each learner where they are.
Eric Gjovaag, a high school mathematics teacher at Insight School of Washington who shared his innovative perspective on the intersection of mathematics and The Wizard of Oz at the CharlOz conference held at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte over the weekend explained his approach: “Some online schools meet every day—we don’t do that. We meet with the whole class twice a week. We give students resources to explore the topics on their own; bringing their own way of learning to the material.”
One of the standout features of ISWA is its credit recovery program, which condenses coursework into an intensive nine-week schedule. Qualified high school students have the opportunity to participate in the Running Start program, enabling them to earn both high school and college credits simultaneously, further enhancing their educational prospects.
Gjovaag holds virtual office hours twice a week, much like college professors and advisors, allowing students to join his classroom, ask questions, and check on their progress in the course on their own time. Students can also access the entire course curriculum, watch instructional videos, complete practice quizzes, and explore reading materials, enabling them to engage with the content whenever and however they choose.
“I have one student that is almost done with the curriculum in practical math, just because she’s that kind of student – she’s that ambitious,” Gjovaag said. “We can pull in students who are having difficulties, who are struggling, and say ‘Alright, it looks like you need extra help, here’s some more work you can do—try this out’. You know, just a little extra help for those who need it.”
For many students, attending school from home means reduced distractions, minimal peer pressure, and access to a robust support network. The virtual learning model emphasizes collaboration and adventure, ensuring that students can engage in a stimulating educational experience while focusing on what they need as individuals to improve their knowledge. Gjovaag emphasizes that each teacher under K12’s virtual learning environment can tailor their approach to meet the needs of their students. In the virtual academy, students have abundant options to demonstrate their understanding of the material.
“My major goal is to give students as much opportunity and information as they need so they can explore on their own how they can learn the material in a way that makes sense to them,” Gjovaag said. “For a lot of students, they just don’t do well in brick-and-mortar schools. For whatever reason they have social anxiety, conditions to follow, maybe school is just harder for them; ISWA is just perfect for them.”
Many of Gjovaag’s students have part-time jobs, are athletes with various commitments, or have busy schedules, either personally or within their families. This is one reason why all lessons are recorded, allowing students to revisit and review parts of the lecture whenever they prefer.
“They can just be at home in a safe space, and still be engaged in school with teachers who are concerned and involved in their work. There’s a lot of flexibility, especially for those who need it,” Gjovaag said.
Washington isn’t the only state offering creative alternatives for students who aren’t satisfied with their education or need a more individualized experience to thrive. The North Carolina Virtual Academy (NCVA) in Durham stands at the forefront of educational innovation as well, offering a public charter school model designed to meet the diverse needs of students across the state.
At NCVA, North Carolina-licensed educators support student progress and mastery of content, providing professional insights. As a public charter school, the NCVA does not charge tuition.
NCVA serves a diverse student body, with over half identifying as minorities and nearly 3,500 enrolled. The costs associated with virtual education are significantly lower than those of traditional public schools, which average over $10,000 per pupil. Virtual schooling reduces expenses related to physical materials, transportation, and sanitation, bringing costs closer to $5,000 per pupil.
Additionally, NCVA’s funding model is more sustainable than that of private schools, which spend upwards of $9,000 per pupil. With ongoing legislative discussions about voucher funding for private education, NCVA presents a viable alternative for families seeking more educational options without the financial burden on public schools or the need for substantial financing through vouchers—potentially saving hundreds of millions of dollars.
