Texas Virtual Academy

My daughter is attending TVA for the first and last time. I recomend that unless you have the time to stay on top of every teacher your student has, do something else. They make promises that teachers will answer emails within 24 hours, never happens. They say just call and teachers will call you back, doesn't happen. The teachers are 2 to 3 weeks behind on entering grades, so you have no idea where your child is on grades. I was promised things that we found out, after we had checked out of her old school and registered with TVA , that were not true and not available. All I am saying, do your research. If I would have known then .......
--Submitted by a parent

I am currently enrolled at TXVA and this is my first year here. I will be completely honest so here it is. :) My first few weeks here at TXVA was definitely a struggle, but I must say that now I really enjoy it and once you understand where you're supposed to go, who you need to talk to and how to make friends through this online schooling program, everything else is a breeze. For me, it was a bit more difficult to get started because I like to get ahead I'm very into school, so when the administrators, faculty/teachers kept sending e-mails not to get ahead, i began to tire of the program quite quickly but they only said that because so many new that year and they wanted to help everyone settle. So after that, I was able to make up my own schedule and foll my own calendar which, I must say, made me very happy. I would absolutely recommend this to anyone who feels their curriculum now is too advanced or way too slow because I had those same problems at my old school, but now I feel great about the program, I'm making straight A's and the teachers are always so helpful and willing to answer any and all of your questions!! I gave it 4 starts because sometimes my computer is slow.:P

Bad communication, messed up schedules, can't input attendance because system is wrong and does it's own thing, get the run around, no one can help at the school, can't find the right people, my children getting zeros because they can't get logged into "Study Island" to discuss issues, they don't understand the lingo such as "dropbox", too many convuluted verbose emails, too many teachers with no course next to their name, have to search for names to write emails when you don't know who is who for what; admin and teachers not answering my emails directly and attacking symantics; 3rd party courses are difficult to find; links to 3rd party courses embedded into vague emails from teachers; office hours of teachers conflicting with my work schedule; just to name a few issues. A GED would be easier.
--Submitted by a parent

K-12 has a virtual charter school in Texas that we were enrolling our son in. After signing and returning the required paperwork, we were told that our son could not be enrolled because we refused to identify with any 1 race. I kindly explaind to him that as a matter of spiritual and political practice, we do not identify with a single race as ours is a muticultual family. The rep Christian then said that our son could not be enrolled if we did not. I asked to speak with his supervisor. I was put on hold. No supervisor ever came. When Christian returned to the phone he informed us that his supervisor Olaide, also stated that our son could not be admitted without this . I asked for the person that his supervisor reported to I was given the name Sharon. No contact number or extention for her was given when asked. I then asked for a physical address to write a letter of formal complaint. Christian then replied that all complaints must be by fax.
--Submitted by a parent

Both of my children are attending TXVA at SW online school for about 3 years now. My daughter is in junior high and my son is in high school. They both love it. To me the classes are more challeging than the regular traditional schools. My son and daughter actually told me they are learning more than he had ever learned in regular school. The teachers are great and they really enjoy the class connects.
--Submitted by a parent

Run away from this place. They are not accredited by the Texas Education Assosiation(TEA). They are moving out of the Houston area. This is the first year they are attempting to do a High School curriculum by trial and error.
--Submitted by a parent

We have found TXVA to be a great alternative to the traditional High School that my son attended last year. He is in the 10th grade class and is already planning on attending 11th grade with TXVA next year! Admitedly there are times when there are delays with contacting administrators, but we always hear from the teachers in a timely fashion. We LOVE that all the "homework" is done when he is done with his daily class work, so he is done when he is done - no busy work! Awesome teachers and Awesome Class Connects!
--Submitted by a parent

My son was enrolled in TXVA for two years. Admittedly, the curriculum is good -- for some kids. Unfortunately, it wasn't nearly interactive enough for my child. But the bigger problem is their Special Ed department. We struggled to get the evaluations my child needed (per their IEP), we waited way too long because ARDs weren't held in a timely fashion, and then we argued through several ARDs just to get the services and other things my child needed, per the recommendations in those evaluations. Valuable time was lost throughout the school year, and my child's education suffered for it. This year, we transferred to another virtual school, and the difference is night and day. This new school puts the kids and their needs first. In my experience, TXVA rarely, if ever, did, and, sadly, it was obvious. Sadly, I know from others that things have not changed at TXVA. If given another chance to re-enroll in TXVA, I'd run, not walk, the other way.
--Submitted by a parent

I'm disgusted and haven't even began the year (I will re-do this review if things improve). So we were assigned a PAL to assist us in enrollment. We enrolled and were told we would be sent books and computer. Books arrived, computer never did. After 14 e-mails sent to PAL inquiring about it were not responded to, we called. They couldn't find us in their system - yet we have a bookshelf full of our kid's K12 TXVA materials (Aw--- how sweet - a freebie!) Then we learn that our PAL has quit - and no one is monitoring his e-mail. Lovely... I'm starting to get why that have such a turnover! Then they tell us that the qualif. for computers have changed and we gotta go buy one they like. Anyone have a grand I can borrow?!?!
--Submitted by a parent

Awesome curriculum, great teachers, and a wonderful administration. Children can school at their own pace and reach their true potential through this school!
--Submitted by a parent