Public schools have jumped on the bandwagon of providing distance education for students all over the country. Slowly cropping up on a state-by-state basis are virtual schools. Many families are unfamiliar with exactly what a virtual school is. In essence, virtual schools are distance education schools run by the public school system within a state. They offer instruction through web-based applications that students complete at home. They are responsible for any state testing requirements and the virtual school keeps regular records of academic achievement.
States with virtual schools offer curriculum for students in grades kindergarten through twelfth. Depending upon the state, some virtual schools currently offer virtual education for middle and high school students. A few states claim to offer virtual schools for the complete K-12 scope. Many schools offer a complete curriculum, while others that are still in the developmental phase offer a few classes in many different subjects. Double check with the virtual school you are interested in on whether or not they offer a diploma. Some schools will offer a full curriculum, but do not include the diploma.
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