Myths about Online Schools

MYTH: Students who attend online schools lack socialization and social skills.
FACT: Students at the Idaho Virtual Academy will have the opportunity to participate in many academic and social outings. These outings and activities may include trips to museums, skate parks, zoos, parks, and other community destinations. We also encourage middle and high school students to participate in clubs, school service projects, student government opportunities, high school adventure trips, and even graduation.

MYTH: You'll spend all day staring at a computer.
FACT: While attendance, planning, and assessment are all recorded online, only about 30 percent of the K-8 lessons are taught online, with the percentage higher for high school as students work at more of a collective pace online in conjunction with the teacher. The rest of the K12 curriculum relies on printed and/or hands-on materials, including beautifully crafted textbooks, paint, rocks, and telescopes.

MYTH: Attending the Idaho Virtual Academy is a part-time job.
FACT: Students will need to spend about four to six hours on schoolwork each day, depending on grade level.

MYTH: Online schools don't meet the curriculum requirements for public schools.
FACT: The Idaho Virtual Academy is a public school that happens to operate outside a traditional classroom. As public school students, your children will be expected to spend a certain amount of time each day engaged in schoolwork. They will also be required to take standardized tests mandated by the state of Idaho. In addition, high school students are required to attend in-person finals at the end of each semester. The K¹² curriculum was developed by experts to meet or exceed Idaho Academic Standards, and has proved to be one of the top-scoring online school curriculum programs in the nation.