Online Schools
Indiana Virtual Public School To Serve Elementary Students
Elementary and middle school students in Indiana will have an online alternative beginning in the 2010-2011 school year.
Rural Community Academy, in partnership with Connections Academy, is launching a statewide virtual public school that will serve students in grades 1 through 8. Dubbed Indiana Connections Academy Virtual Pilot School (INCA-VPS), the online school will provide a tuition-free education to Indiana students, providing teachers, support staff, and learning coaches for students.
Connections Academy is a virtual education company that operates several regional K-12 online virtual schools, including 16 state schools and one national academy. Connections Academy operates one school in each of 14 states--Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Minnesota, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming--and two schools in California (serving southern and central areas of the state).
The online school will provide an assessment of each student's needs and prescribe a custom instructional plan based on those needs. Unlike some virtual schools, INCA-VPS will not provide free hardware or subsidized broadband to students, except for those who request and qualify for a hardship exception (essentially those who qualify under federal free or reduced lunch guidelines and who do not otherwise have access to the required technology). The academy does provide technical support and various online resources.
Further information about Connections Academy can be found here.
About the Author
David Nagel is editorial director of 1105 Media's Education Technology Group and editor-in-chief of THE Journal and STEAM Universe. A 25-year publishing veteran, Nagel has led or contributed to dozens of technology, art and business publications.
He can be reached at [email protected]. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn at or follow him on Twitter at @THEJournalDave (K-12) or @CampusTechDave (higher education).