FAQs

What grades are offered by the Georgia Virtual Academy?
GVA will offer grades K-8 in the 2008-2009 school year.

What subjects will my child study?
Language Arts, Math, Science, and History are the core courses. There will also be a Physical Education/Health course.

Does the program provide textbooks and other instructional materials?
Yes, we provide all the textbooks and instructional materials that are needed to complete the program. These books and materials are sent to students directly.

Can my child work at his or her own pace?
The program is self-paced and flexible within the parameters specified by state law.

How much time do students spend on the computer?
We expect that students will spend no more than 20 to 25 percent of their time on the computer in the early grades. We believe in a balanced approach toward education. Computers help us provide you with effective assessment, planning, and time-management tools. Computers also act as powerful teaching tools that can motivate, stimulate, and inform children about the world around them. Computers do not, however, replace a solid education. Rather, they help facilitate one. That's why we use a unique multimedia approach that also includes a great deal of old-fashioned books, workbooks, and instructional materials.

What does it cost to attend the Georgia Virtual Academy?
As a program of Odyssey School, the Georgia Virtual Academy is a public school, and therefore, there is no tuition. GVA loans students all instructional materials for the program. Students and families will be responsible for providing some consumable materials.

Do you provide curriculum for special needs children?
Depending on a child's IEP, we can tailor our curriculum to meet your needs. To discuss your child's needs with us, please contact our office [e-mail link] and we will put you in touch with our special education team.

Can you accommodate the accelerated learning needs of my gifted/talented child?
The beauty of our program is that it is flexible enough to meet children where they are in any given subject and take them where they want to go. So, for example, if your fourth grader is doing math at a sixth-grade level and reading at a fourth-grade level, we can tailor your curriculum and lesson plans to meet his abilities. Learn more!

Since students do not go to a physical school building every day, how do they interact socially?
Throughout the year, students are invited to participate in school outings, field trips (to historical sites, museums, zoos, etc.), picnics, and other social events. We expect local clusters of students and parents to get together on a regular basis in their areas. We also are exploring new ways to interact socially using the powerful reach of the Internet. With online discussions and forums, new types of communities can be formed that are based not on geography and place but on shared interests.

Will this program intrude into my home?
There are no home visits as part of the program, unless you ask your teacher to come to your home (completely optional), and there are no cameras or any other intrusions into your home. This school was created to help your child obtain a first-class education and serve your family's needs. If you ever feel that it is not right for your family or your child, you can withdraw your child at any time.

Didn’t find the answer to your question?
Try one of our other FAQ pages:
Technical FAQs
Enrollment & Attendance FAQs
Testing & Assessment FAQs