virtual academy?

Washington Virtual Academy (http://www.k12.com/wa)

free to all WA residents, they mail you the curriculum, online, etc etc etc

Just wondering if anyone has tried it and what it's like.

tia!

There's been talk about K12 here before. It's basically public school at home. Good for those who want to follow that type of model with their homeschooling, bad for those that don't like being told what to do.
:hahaha: :lol:

We did use the program last year for approx 2 month. It is very structured. The curriculum it's self is great. However, we found out we don't like that kind of structure and it was taking us way to long to accomplish what was asked of us.

Depending on your location in WA there are quite a few homeschool programs through the public school system, that are very relaxed fun programs. We are part of the Olympia Regional Learning Academy, we get to pick and choose what classes and days we want to take. Very fun and homeschool supported program even though it is part of the public school system. My dd is taking spanish, writing, P.E., and animal science this quarter. My son is taking spanish, story theater, fairytales/folktales and a hands on math class. If you go to Welcome to WINGS (http://www.wingsnw.com) you can see what areas in WA offer this type of program.

We haven't used(and won't) WAVA but we are using
Welcome to Columbia Virtual Academy (http://www.columbiavirtualacademy.org) this year. We probably won't continue with it next year though. We would rather support homeschooling in it's true form ;)

Hey Kris... talk about that more will ya? In fact, I will just pick your brain at Thai food night next week. I want to know more, because I really really need some funding help with all this stuff I want to do with the kids... but the idea of being under someones thumb for the money it would take makes me twitch a little. I need some opinions... plus, I can't wait to see ya anyway. ;)

Val

Okay Val, you twisted my arm :lol:
I have never been one to do somethng just for the money. So, when I started with CVA (just for the money) I was making an exception for my children's sake. But, the more I ponder it, I don't want to be part of an organization that could possibly change the direction of homeschooling in Washington, or the whole country for that matter. I can't support more control by the government, no matter how "homeschool friendly" them seem to be. I have enjoyed the massive amount of funds we have had access to this year, but can't wait to get back to running my own school without weekly check ins, monthly report of hours and evaluations. I am also not looking forward to the testing that is loomng over our heads that will forever be attatched to my children's public school records. There is a possibilty that I will pull out of CVA before the testing happens. But that would jeapordize the huge 2 week long field trip we have scheduled for the spring to enhance all that we have been learning about sea and sky.
This is just my opinion and not meant to offend anyone who makes the choice to join a virtual academy or other program supported by the public school system ;)

Interesting point about how K12 and other public-school-in-the-guise-of-homeschool companies could change homeschooling in many states. There are definitely places where, if the legislature got an idea in its collective head, it'd make K12 or some other public school alternative the only options.

Exactly

at the WAVA info meeting I went to, they said to expect to be doing sit down schooling 6-8 hours/day. From listening to what they were saying, it sounded kind of cool, but lotsa scary. Plus, you're not a homeschooler anymore, you're a public school student.

Cherise.. I'm lookng at that list - thanks! Kind of sucks that I don't know where most of the places on there are, I'm trying to figure out if we could do any of it.

at the WAVA info meeting I went to, they said to expect to be doing sit down schooling 6-8 hours/day. From listening to what they were saying, it sounded kind of cool, but lotsa scary. Plus, you're not a homeschooler anymore, you're a public school student.

Cherise.. I'm lookng at that list - thanks! Kind of sucks that I don't know where most of the places on there are, I'm trying to figure out if we could do any of it.

You can keep your homeschool status if you don't take all the courses. But still it makes for a very loooonnnngggg day.

at the WAVA info meeting I went to, they said to expect to be doing sit down schooling 6-8 hours/day. From listening to what they were saying, it sounded kind of cool, but lotsa scary. Plus, you're not a homeschooler anymore, you're a public school student.

Cherise.. I'm lookng at that list - thanks! Kind of sucks that I don't know where most of the places on there are, I'm trying to figure out if we could do any of it.

thank you :heart:

I was wondering about it since I'm afeared of making my own curriculum, and I liked that you got the materials etc, but . . . I'm not sure if it's worth it with the kind of feedback it's getting here.

ps my dd :heart: the coat!

Cherise.. I'm lookng at that list - thanks! Kind of sucks that I don't know where most of the places on there are, I'm trying to figure out if we could do any of it.

Sorry, I didn't see this the other day? Where are you guys located again, Federal Way? I think the closest may be Olympia? I am sure that isn't the drive you want to make.

I'd drive somewhere for once a week or something of that nature.

We're moving to Bonney Lake, far as I can tell, the closest would be Olympia or Bellevue - and Bellevue says its for students of that school district.

We have some friends who are using it (actually several). They invited us to their house for a few weeks to do the science experiment/activity portion since my son loves science.

He enjoyed the activities, but I was positively amazed at how much it's like school-at-home. My friends love the program, so I'm happy for them. It's just totally not my kind of thing. It was lacking in imagination, originality and was pretty much like a text book online. Also, at least in the stuff we saw, the testing was done by multiple choice and true/false. I really don't think that's a good way of evaluating retention and understanding. I much prefer having the child narrate, which encourages a whole lotta good things that help w/writing and thought formation.

It wasn't adaptable enough for Annabelle. The one here in MN seems to follow the same public school "rule" to not allow kids to do reading more than a year ahead of their age. Annabelle is three years ahead. Anything less makes her bored, and then the whining and feet dragging starts (and this Mama does not do well when that happens).