Lawrence Public School District: Exceeding Expectations

The Lawrence Public School District of Lawrence, Kansas wanted to start a virtual school to serve the distance education needs of families in the state. In April 2004, the school board voted to create a new virtual K-8 school: the Lawrence Virtual School (LVS).
Gary Lewis was appointed school principal and was charged with taking one year to build the school and write a curriculum that could serve 30 third- through fifth-grade students during the 2004-2005 school year.

During this time, while meeting his full-time contractual duties as Director of Professional Development in a neighboring district, he conducted extensive independent research on virtual schools and curricular options. Shortly thereafter, he contacted K¹².

"I chose K¹² because they were able to provide a ready-to-use virtual curriculum that exceeded my state’s content standards, as well as an integrated student data tracking system to manage the program. I also saw K¹² as the experienced leader in virtual schooling, so I knew I would be able to take advantage of their strategies and best practices for virtual school implementation and management."

K¹² and its curriculum make an impact
K¹² began providing its curriculum to LVS students in the fall of 2004. In June, the contract was complete, and the district and K¹² began working on student outreach and communication plans, staffing plans, and student/parent support plans. Lawrence Public Schools sent out a statewide press release on behalf of LVS, and developed a school website. An introductory letter was also sent to families. With support from K¹², LVS followed up with a series of free parent information sessions throughout the summer. The principal also enlisted the consulting services of K¹² to help answer parent questions, assist with student placement, and conduct parent orientations and training.

Due to the quality and versatility of the K¹² curriculum, and the availability of K¹² administrative consultation services, LVS kicked off the 2004-2005 school year with more than 165 enrolled students—far exceeding their initial projections. The school board was pleased because this new influx of students helped stem the declining enrollment within the district.

Lawrence Virtual School enrollment doubles
K¹² supported LVS throughout the school year with family support, student data tracking systems, staff management, budgeting, professional development, virtual teacher training and evaluation, logistical support, policies and procedures, and administrative training.

The following school year, LVS enrolled 350 students. That number doubled to 700 for the 2006-2007 school year.

At the root of the program’s success was the district’s determined vision to enter the virtual school world, and Mr. Lewis’ ability to launch a statewide school in such a short period of time. LVS was staffed early with a capable, technologically savvy, and ambitious principal who, when paired with the experts at K¹², was able to create a successful program that met the needs of students, teachers, and the school district.