Wisconsin's Wauwatosa School District To Launch Statewide Online Program

• By Kevin Hudson
• 02/19/13

The Wauwatosa School District in Wisconsin will launch a tuition-free statewide virtual learning program open to all Wisconsin students in grades 6-12 for the 2013-2014 school year.

Wauwatosa Virtual Academy intends to combine state and Common Core standards-based online curriculum with individualized student support and a flexible schedule, according to a release, and has chosen online learning provider Advanced Academics to supply the program's learning management system, curriculum, online tutoring, and student assistance.

The Wauwatosa School District's previous experience with online leaning and Advanced Academics prompted the move, said Phil Ertl, Wauwatosa School District superintendent, in the release. The district has utilized Advanced Academics online courses to supplement its program for targeted student populations in the past and Ertl cited these prior student successes with online courses as encouragement for the district to expand its online offerings internally and to launch the statewide virtual program.

Wauwatosa Virtual Academy is accepting applications for the 2013-14 school year during the open enrollment period ending April 30. Interested students and parents can learn more at the following information sessions:

• Onalaska Public Library, Thursday, March 7, 7 p.m.;
• La Crosse Public Library, Saturday, March 9, 12:30 p.m.;
• Chippewa Falls Public Library, Thursday, March 14, 6 p.m.;
• L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library, Saturday, March 16, 12:30 p.m.; and
• Wauwatosa School District Central Office, 12121 W. North Ave: Saturday, Feb. 23, 10 a.m., Saturday, March 9, 10 a.m., Saturday, March 23, 10 a.m., and Saturday, April 6, 10 a.m.

Wauwatosa Virtual Academy will comply with all Wisconsin graduation requirements and feature a full middle and high school curriculum aligned to both state and Common Core standards, according to a release.  The program is intended to benefit student groups including those who have not excelled in a traditional school setting, home-schooled students, advanced learners wanting to progress at an accelerated pace, and students who need a flexible schedule in order to pursue outside interests.

Advanced Academics was founded in 2000 and provides middle and high school courses, student support, and a Web-based learning management system to schools and districts in 30 states.  The company is owned by DeVry, and is accredited by the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), the Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC), and meets the standards for National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) eligibility.

Wauwatosa School District is located in the City of Wauwatosa, WI, which has a population of approximately 50,000 and is in the western suburbs of the Milwaukee, WI, metropolitan area.