A program geared toward students who were unsuccessful in traditional classrooms that was canceled due to funding challenges will continue to be offered to students this school year.

After an audit denied funding for about 100 students enrolled in a Battle Creek Public Schools virtual learning program last year, the Board of Education decided not to fund the program for the 2010-2011 school year. The program allowed students to take online courses, work from home and attend community-based sites for support.

But local students will still be able to enroll in virtual courses and receive laptops for their coursework through Berrien Springs Public Schools, said Erv Brinker, chief executive officer of Summit Pointe.

For the rest of the article, go to Virtual courses offered by Summit Pointe

MVCA will use the award-winning curriculum, technology and school services provided by K12 Inc., America’s largest provider of online school programs for students in kindergarten through high school.

The K12 virtual school program combines an award-winning curriculum – engaging online lessons and hands-on education materials – with professional teachers, advisors, and state-of-the-art technology that connect students to a vibrant school community. The program is customized for every child. This gives students the opportunity to receive an individualized education regardless of their geographic location, socio-economic background, or educational need.

For the rest of the article, go to Michigan Virtual Charter Academy Receives Final Approval from State to Open

The news is no surprise to Willow Run officials. They’ve been working on a restructuring plan for several months now.

The plan calls for establishing a STEMM magnet school inside the high school focusing on science, math and engineering and a cyber school academy. Other changes in the plan include more extended day or extended year options for students; getting a 1-to-1 computing for STEMM students; shifting to a project-based learning environment; increasing the safety at the school; and involving the community in the school through mentorships, community service and internships.

For the rest of the article, go to Ypsilanti, Willow Run high schools on state lowest-performing schools list

STANDISH — This fall home school students from Arenac County and the surrounding area will have a chance to get a public school education from home.

Standish-Sterling Central High School will now offer the Standish-Sterling Virtual Academy; so home schools students can complete courses online.

Superintendent Michael Dodge said he has parents call every year asking about a curriculum from the high school.

“Now we will be able to meet the needs of those (students,)” he said.

SSC signed a one-year contract with Job Skill Technology Inc., creating the virtual academy.

Vice President Gary Kughn said the reason JST wanted to partner with SSC was because of the good reputation the school has.

For the rest of the article, go to SSC offering new online academy for home school students

True to their nickname, “The Navigators” officials at Charlevoix’s Northwest Academy are at the forefront of two-year-old online learning experiment that could be a glimpse into the classroom of the future.

As the start of another school year looms less than a month away, parents for the first time may be hearing advertisements for K-12 online schools such as Connections Academy that are tuition free, accredited and totally virtual.

Although many are taking note of Connections Academy, which has currently has an enrollment limited to 400 students in the state this year, last year the same type of program was opened up to schools across the state.

For the rest of the article, go to Northwest Academy offers tuition free, accredited and totally virtual classroom

The Lansing school district is gearing up to provide some of its most at-risk students a new high-tech education with the new school in September. A new online learning lab may help turn dropouts into graduates. New heating and cooling equipment and a server room, Lansing’s Sexton High School is undergoing a major technological facelift.

Cathy Deshambo, Lansing Schools Project Coordinator: “Against the walls we’ll have brand new computer stations. There’ll be floating stations in the middle of the room.”

For the rest of the article, go to School District Working On Program For At-Risk Students

Walls came down the week after the Lansing Board of Education voted to provide online learning for up to 180 students at Sexton High School this fall.

The labor has barely paused since mid-July as the district’s high-skilled maintenance workers erect drywall and turn four traditional classrooms into a 3,000-square-foot online learning lab with 60 computers.

The online learning lab is replacing the Education Options program, an alternative high school for failing high school students based in the Hill Center.

On Aug. 18, workers will install carpeting, and the $30,000 renovation – with air conditioning, computers on the perimeter and power stations in the middle – should be complete 10 days later.

For the rest of the article, go to Sexton online learning lab will be up for fall classes, Lansing officials say

The equipment will be used to offer Spanish classes here that are being taught at North Dickinson. Eventually other courses could be offered through virtual learning.

The board also passed a resolution allowing home school and school of choice students to take classes online through the school district. The district already allows home bound students to take classes online.

The board approved a contract with the Michigan Renewable Schools program for the installation of a solar panel which will be used to save on energy, and also as a teaching tool in the classroom. The program is geared at middle and high school students.

Forest Park Superintendent Tom Jayne reported Michigan Merit Exam results are showing an increase in test scores as a whole. Forest Park’s 11th graders went up in every category and are above the state average in all but one category, reading.

Jayne noted Forest Park students “have the highest proficiency of all schools in our intermediate school district. Requiring higher standards produces higher scores.”

For the rest of the article, go to Forest Park still working on fall staffing

The school board has given its approval to launch of the Garden City Interactive Virtual Education (G.I.V.E.) program this fall, requiring that it have a minimum of 60 students.

“This would be for kids who fall between the traditional high school and Cambridge, it’s for the alternative student who doesn’t fit into the high school setting,” said Jack Pelon, who has been director of Adult and Community Education in Garden City. “It’s for the student who can’t function in a large setting. The ratio would be one teacher to 15 students, the teacher would also mentor the students.”

The program is unique to the area in that students would be take two classes at Henry Ruff and two other classes online. The sessions would be in four-hour blocks and be offered in the morning, early afternoon and early evening four days a week. There would be a maximum of 30 students in each class with two certified teachers who would also serve as mentors.

For the rest of the article, go to District goes virtual with G.I.V.E. program

DEARBORN HEIGHTS — Dearborn Heights District 7 is hoping to lure home-schoolers and others to a new online academy it will start this fall.

The school board approved an agreement with JST/K12 of Auburn Hills to provide online and at-home coursework for high school students who register.

The district will pay the company about $4,800 per year per student, for each student to take 10 classes — the same number they would take at Annapolis High School.

In return, the students will count as District 7 pupils for state aid, which brings in more than $7,100 per pupil.

The new, as yet unnamed virtual school, will be open to all students in Wayne County. District 7 is already a school-of-choice district.

Gary Kughn with JST said his company would start recruiting from home school groups, area churches and even posting fliers looking for students interested in the program.

“We are not looking to take your existing students,” Kughn said.

Home-schooled students are the prime targets, but dropouts and expelled students may also want to join.

For the rest of the article, go to Firm helping D7 create virtual school