Sparks, Nev.
-- Online charter schools are being utilized by more families in Northern Nevada. And one online school is taking students from kindergarten to graduation.
The
Nevada Connections Academy is a free, online public charter school. The school, which began in 2007, enrolls students in grades K-12. During their first year in 2007, 400 students were enrolled. Last year, 1,500 students were taking part.
"It's all about them. It’s not about the kid in the back of the classroom that's disrupting the whole thing. It’s just time for them," said teacher from NCA, Alison Osmond.
All the lessons are online and each student has a learning coach, or a teacher. And when a family enrolls, the Nevada Connections Academy sends them a starter kit with everything they need, including a computer, molding clay, and even a jump rope for a gym class.
"You receive everything you need to be successful in our program," said Osmond. “It costs nothing to families."
Deanine Frankovich supervises her three boys who are all enrolled in NCA. She said when her oldest son, Ryan was enrolled in regular school, he developed health problems, causing him to miss classes and get behind. That’s when she decided to look for other alternatives.
Frankovich explained it's a different experience than home schooling because all the lessons are set up by the state.
"I don't have to build the curriculum. And I don't have to have that concern, are my children learning everything they need to be learning,” she said.
She said Ryan does most of his lessons on his own, communicating with his teacher through email, phone or live web chats.
"They visually teach it to you," said Ryan.
Some may worry about the lack of socialization, but Osmond said kids can still participate in clubs and sports. And if the Nevada Connections Academy doesn’t offer a particular activity, kids can participate at the school they are zoned for.
"Our families are in it to ensure that their kids get a good education and that's what schools about. It’s not about socialization," said Osmond.
The NCA also holds family picnics and field trips so all the students can socialize at those events.
If you would like to learn more about the
Nevada Connections Academy they're having an information session in Reno for 2011-2012 school year. It will take place on Thursday, August 4, at 7:00 pm at 1301 Valley Road in Reno.
