Arizona Virtual Academy

Our daughter is learning much more in Arizona Virtual Academy than in the brick and mortar charter school that she attended for kindergarten the first three months of first grade. Since she is already motivated to learn, the online program through K-12 is perfect for her and she does not have to learn at a much slower pace with less disciplined children (although normal for that age)as in the previous charter school. Her mom is the learning coach and is responsible for the majority of the learning, but they also have class connect with her teacher and other students online for an hour daily, at least three times each week. The learning and program took about six hours daily to accomplish in the first 4-6 weeks, but is now accomplished in about four hours with short breaks between classes as we (now) comprehend the program and how to navigate the web site, as well as being organized with the classes. It is great being able to go back over material and help our child understand difficult segments, which is not likely in a brick and mortar experience with another 25 children for the teacher to attend to. Additionally, we can call or email (k-mail) the teacher as needed.
—Submitted by a parent

Ha Ha! The best they can do to rebut my review is to say "K-12 is not breaking the law" ROTFLMDAO!!!!!
—Submitted by a teacher

Thank goodness I do not have any relatives in this system. The students I have helped are stressed by the 2-3 lines used to give them information on the subject and questions. Unacceptable base for decison making. Escorted student to Phoenix English test. Teacher did not arrange in advance for the test, when she arrived at the library even contact the staff I felt whole way was unprofessional, ncluding whispering to student, kneeling beside the student (which made the student very uncomfortable) moved the student midway thru test to an ever more public and noisy area, seating the 12 year old on a chair at a table for 3-6 year old. I was so concernedat this point I insisted my husband get an adult size chair for her as i WAS afraid she would set on the small chair that would not support her weight, set upon the floor or kneel by the student again. When I questioned the whole unprofessional way the test was scheduled...I was by Ms. Sanche it was my fault, even though I had told her2 months before I could be available with the student the 5th on November. Finally, I insisted thru the students parent that I not take the child without a date and time. Mary E. Bryce

Student beware. My granddaughter went there for six months and graduated from there. The teachers she had gave her enough homework to do which was much worse than actually attending class. In particular the English teacher was a reprobate who did not explain assignments, piled it on and graded like a vampire. There was more work to do in assignments every week than an online graduate program that i attended through the University of Phenix.
—Submitted by a parent

We are returning to AZVA. I am educating my grandchildre so their parents can work at their careers while ensuring their children are well educated. One grandson was in AZVA for 2 years. He went from being a low B student to a straight A student. He returned to public school in 8th grade. Now a Freshman in high school, he maintains his A average. His younger brother was in AZVA for 1st grade, homeshooled along with his cousin without AZVA in 2nd, and we are enrolling them both in AZVA now. It has flaws, but the quality of the curriculum and the accountability are excellent. He has high functioning Asperger's, and the teachers work well with his needs. It isn't for everyone, and it won't work without a strong commitment from the parent. It has flexibility, but that doesn't mean you don't have to do a lot of hard work. But you know your children will get a good education, and that's what any school should be about. If you can't dedicate the time and effort, AZVA isn't for you. If you want to know your children are meeting the standards while teaching them at home, it's an excellent choice.
—Submitted by a parent

Charter schools are run by corporations. By law, those corporations may choose to operate as a for profit or as a nonprofit entity. K-12 is not breaking the law, and they do have to pay taxes on the money they get from student enrollment. Of course, the learning coaches don't get any renumeration for their part in teaching their kids. What they do get is a great family experience and better educated children!

My daughter attended AZVA for her 7th and part of 8th grade. She completed her 7th grade and 3/4ths of her 8th grade in one school year. Towards the end of her 8th grade she had to return to public school cause I was no longer working from home. They accepted her into 8th grade knowing she was from AZVA and now, a year younger then most kids in 8th grade but she aced the end of public school. She went on to high school the following year, 9th grade, and aced that year cause she was so ahead at AZVA it was so easy for her to ace it. For her 10th grade, public school finally got to her and she does have a 3.5 grade avg but she complains it takes to long for teachers to settle the kids down before starting class. She is asking to go back to AZVA and this year it should be possible since I might be working from home again. I will not do it unless she is able to stay for the next two years and have her graduate from AZVA that way I won't have to worry about public schools making it hard for charter, or homeschoolers to go back to public school by testing them. It is work for the parent, but teach them organization and were to find information online and it takes a lot off your back.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has taken my children to an entirely different level both in learning and self esteem! Kudos AZVA~
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children in AZVA and I cant say enough wonderful things about them!
—Submitted by a parent

We LOVE this school!!! Both of our boys are doing very well. They both score high on the AIMS test, even though we do very little extra test prep. When we had them in a brick and mortar school, it seemed all they did was prep for the test. They are able to really dig into lessons they get excited about. The curriculum is awesome. We are offered Spanish and Music at the third grade level. We also get P.E. everyday which, most schools have cut down to once or twice per week. This program requires a high level of parent participation and commitment at the elementary school level. This is what I love about it! We get to see exactly what our children are learning and can provide extra instruction in the areas they need help. Our children are learning to be independent thinkers and to be self disciplined. We also participate in community activities for social outlets. We have even started a couple of group activities. This program is far and away the best thing going.
—Submitted by a parent

I go here because I have a sickness that caused me to miss quite a bit of school. I like it and the teachers are friendly, but I would have absolutely no friends if I did not got to an in-person school before this. You really have to sit there all day and do your work, like a regualr school, but you do not really get to talk to other students or hear their opinions. It's like being in an enclosed bubble all day long. There are outings, but it's awkward since you don't know anyone. When it comes time for me to have kids, I will not put them in online school unless they are bullied or sick all of the time. You have no social life and they have no way to tell if you are cheating. I do not cheat, but I am certain they have problems with that because there is no way to find out if someone is cheating. It works well for my situation for the time being though.

We like the material and it is easy to use. The parents need to be real hands on with the younger students and don't just turn them lose on the computer.
—Submitted by a parent

This school was probably the best school that my child has been in .She has been in many non-home school schools but always was never satisfied with any of them because she ,lets just say, loves challenges and being ahead and in traditional schools she couldn't do that because the teacher would have to explain it to the other 17 - 20 kids while she just sat there being bored out of her mind.Now that we have azva, she can go ahead as much as she wants and even skip grades which she is completely thriving on and getting awesome scores on her AIMS tests and and learning to her hearts content.We are completely happy with azva and hope that for many others it would the same thing.

We just started our second year in the AZVA school. I have had wonderful interaction with the teachers. They are always there to answer any questions, to speak with your child and to encourage them to succeed. I have been thrilled with the program so far and I have watched my son progress much faster than others in a public school, we would recommend AZVA (K12) to anyone willing to put in the time with your child. Why would I want anyone else to get to see my child learn and grow when I have the time to invest in him myself! GREAT PROGRAM!
—Submitted by a parent

There are many things to like about AZVA. All the materials are free, it's very structured, and you know exactly how well your child is doing in class almost up-to-the-moment. It's a great school for a child that is highly motivated and can work well independently, or for a family that wants to home school but needs extra resources. We didn't fit into either category, so it just didn't work well. A big warning!!!! Now that my son is going back to a public high school, we found out that they don't accept the accreditation that AZVA has, even though we were told by AZVA that all credits will transfer. He has to retest on EVERY core class that he passed and score 70% or higher to receive credit for it. Otherwise he will only get credit for it as an elective.
—Submitted by a parent

AZVA=online public charter school that a child can be enrolled in at no cost b/c, like all public schools, it is tax-payer funded. B/c it is a public charter school, it does not receive as high of a percentage of monies as public district schools.B/c AZVA is virtual rather than brick & mortar, child learns from home/road/anywhere. AZVA is NOT independent homeschooling b/c one registers/enrolls child in a public school that employs teachers, schedules/requires standardized testing(AIMS).When one independently homeschools,he does not depend on a state-funded school, a child is not assigned a state student ID, does not have to complete standardized test, doesn't comply w/ attendance hours,& the parent must sign an affadavit w/state assuring that they'll educate their child independent of state.AZVA is the ideal public school for us b/c we have already pd taxes to cover our child's education, we are sent materials/provided w/ tools needed to educate him, yet he does not have to spend his day in a brick & mortar public school w/teachers & peers we don't approve of. We are referred to as Learning Coaches but do 90% of the teaching.Excellent resources, live online classes, it's the best!
—Submitted by a parent

I have 3 children in AZVA this is our 2nd year. We are satisfied with the school and its curriculum I am especially happy with the online Mark 12 reading program this has helped my special needs student to go from reading 25 wpm to 80 to 90 wpm, but the special needs program needs improvement you are kinda left alone to do your own thing not very supportive. The math program could use more improvements. Most teachers are helpful but not all seem to care the same about there students.
—Submitted by a parent

If you want to homeschool and need free materials this is great way to go. As for a "school" AZVA is NOT that. The Leadership has gone down hill the last 2 years and I am glad this is my last year with them. There is NO parebnt involement in Northern AZ and the school just doesn't care. This school is backed by K12 and is more of a business than a school. Like I said in the beginning, if you want to homeschool and need materials start here!
—Submitted by a parent

This is the fourth year my granddaughter has attended AZVA. She went to a regular school for 3rd and 4th grade. This girl is always on the principle's list and exceeds all the time with AZVA. This school has a great curriculum and I really like the education she gets here. Her only problem is there is no socialization. We live on the west side of Phoenix and there is NOTHING here for a kid to make friends. I do not count elluminate sessions as making friends. That was why she wanted to go back to a regular school, and then had to face 2 years of bullying. In the second year she asked to go back to AZVA again. This is a great school, but you just can't sit on your butt. Try helping, you might learn something.
—Submitted by a parent

WOW I cant believe how many of you parents are lazy!! As for the "to much work for a elementary student" comment< you must have a kid as lazy as you. My daughter breezes through these assignments. Public school is A babysitter to you apparently and you blame AZVA for your short comings! I have no problem contacting the teacher and she hold several online meetings with the children. Stop being lazy and teach your child something or shut and don't complain when public school fails them too!
—Submitted by a parent