Families are Encouraged to Submit Their Applications by November 18 to Enroll Their Kindergarten-12^th Grade Students in the District’s Full-Time Option that Combines the Flexibility of Online Learning with the Structure of a Traditional School Calendar  

Click Here to Download Photos and B-roll 

ORLANDO, Fla. (Nov. 3, 2022) – As Florida families continue to consider their children’s education options, Florida Virtual School (FLVS) has opened enrollment for the spring semester for FLVS Full Time, an option that combines the flexibility of online learning with the structure of a traditional school calendar. Families are encouraged to submit their applications by November 18 to ensure their students are enrolled and ready to start the first day of the spring semester.

Research suggests that parents are now looking for a more personalized and flexible education for their children due to their experiences during the pandemic. According to a recent report by Tyton Partners, 52% of parents want to tailor their child’s K-12 learning experience, compared with just over a fifth who want to follow an already established path.

“We are a great option for families who are looking for a more individualized and flexible learning experience,” said Robin Winder, Senior Director of Instruction for Florida Virtual School. “The FLVS instructional model includes evidence-based approaches. Our goal is to help students succeed by meeting them where they are.”

With FLVS Full Time, students experience the structure of a 180-day school year with the flexibility of online learning, take six courses per semester, and earn their diploma upon meeting graduation requirements. Alternatively, students looking to incorporate one or more individual online courses as part of their education plan for the spring semester can enroll in FLVS Flex year-round.

Florida Virtual School offers full-time and individual course flexible options for grades K-12. Students have access to more than 190 courses – including core, electives/specials, world languages, Advanced Placement, and Career and Technical Education – all tuition-free for Florida residents and taught by state-certified teachers using award-winning curriculum developed specifically for the online learning environment to facilitate student success. Plus, students can participate in more than 60 clubs from gardening to coding, and more.

While families are strongly encouraged to submit their applications by November 18, those that need additional time have until March 3, 2023, to enroll their K-12 students. However, if families apply later than November 18, it is not guaranteed that their students will be enrolled in time for the start of the spring semester. 

To learn more about FLVS Full Time, FLVS Flex, and other options, visit flvs.net/online-school-options. Students outside of Florida can also enroll through FLVS Global School; visit flvsglobal.net for more information.

Families have until July 15 to enroll their Kindergarten-12th grade students in Florida’s full-time and flexible online option 

Click Hereto Download Photos and B-roll 

As the 2021-22 school year comes to an end, Kindergarten – 12^th grade students can now enroll in Florida Virtual School (FLVS) Full Time for the upcoming 2022-23 school year. The enrollment deadline is July 15, giving families the time they need to make the decision that works best for them. With FLVS Full Time, students experience the structure of a 180-day school year with the flexibility of online learning, take six courses per semester, and earn their diploma upon meeting graduation requirements. Alternatively, students looking to incorporate one or more individual online courses as part of their education plan for the upcoming school year can enroll in FLVS Flex year-round.

After more than two years of the pandemic, thousands more students and parents have seen the benefits of online learning, including better and more communication between parents and teachers, comprehensive and engaging courses, an individualized experience that allows for more meaningful one-on-one time between students and teachers, flexibility as to where, when, and how students learn, and more.

In fact, the FLVS Full Time student count has nearly doubled over the past two years – from 5,770 student completions in the 2019-20 school year to more than 10,500 students expected to complete this year. Plus, this year’s FLVS Full Time graduating class is the largest ever – with a total of 1,345 students.

“For more than 20 years I’ve seen the positive impact of online learning, and now that families gleaned greater insight into their kids’ learning by virtue of being at home together, they’re seeing the benefits too,” said Robin Winder, Senior Director of Instruction for Florida Virtual School. “It’s exciting to see that enrollment has stayed relatively the same over the past two years for our full-time school because it shows that what we’re doing is making a difference in the lives of students and families.”

Florida Virtual School offers full-time and part-time flexible options for grades Kindergarten-12. Students have access to more than 190 courses – including core, elective/specials, world languages, Advanced Placement, and Career and Technical Education courses – all tuition-free for Florida residents and taught by state-certified teachers using award-winning curriculum developed specifically for the online learning environment to facilitate student success. Plus, students can participate in more than 60 clubs from gardening, to coding, and more.

To learn more about FLVS Full Time, FLVS Flex and other options, visit flvs.net/online-school-options. Students outside of Florida can also enroll through FLVS Global School; visit flvsglobal.net for more information.

The School’s Flexible Option Provides Students with Year-Round Access, Individualized Teacher Support, and the Ability to Take One or Multiple Courses Throughout the Year

Click Hereto Download Photos and B-roll

With the finish line for this school year quickly approaching, families with children in Kindergarten-12th grade can enroll for the 2022-23 school year or this summer in Florida Virtual School (FLVS), joining the school’s Flex online option that allows families to enroll year-round, work at their own pace, and incorporate one or more courses as part of their education plan.

In a survey conducted by National School Choice Week, 52% of American parents considered finding a new or different school for their child within the past year, with 26% considering full-time online school and 25% looking into full-time homeschooling. These numbers highlight that after more than two full years of educational change due to the pandemic, families are re-evaluating to find options that better serve their children’s learning needs.

With FLVS Flex, students can either supplement their learning with digital courses while still attending their traditional in-person school, be a homeschool student using FLVS digital curriculum, or enroll in an alternative education program that uses FLVS curriculum. Below are three examples of current students and how they use FLVS to fit their personal learning style:

Supplemental Courses to Achieve Individualized Learning
Delaney Brown, a 12th grade student at Booker T. Washington High School in Pensacola, FL, has big plans for her future, all thanks to the courses she took through Florida Virtual School. In her freshman year of high school, Delaney began taking supplemental online courses with FLVS Flex. This fall, she will be attending Florida State University where she will study political science and business, with the ultimate goal to become a lawyer.

“I was looking to differentiate myself from other students because that’s what college admissions are looking for,” said Brown. “While all other students are taking the same classes and learning the same concepts, I wanted to take unique online courses like political science and law studies that prepared me for my future. Taking courses online is also preparing me for balancing my course load in college, showing me how to manage my time effectively.”

Homeschooling 2.0
Since Kindergarten, Aiden Cardoza and Sylar “SySy” Borden from Lake County, FL, have been learning online as homeschoolers with FLVS Flex. Aiden, now in fifth grade, and SySy, now in fourth, learn together at home with the guidance of their mothers - Monica and Sofia.

“Someone once told me that one of the most important things to do as a mom is to surround your children with a strong village to help them grow,” said Monica. “FLVS has become our village, with teachers constantly checking in to offer support, as well as teaching our kids that they have a voice and can make a difference in the world.”

At only 11 and 10-years-old, Aiden and SySy are doing just that - making a difference through their YouTube channel and nonprofit, Captain A TV, Inc., created to spread awareness on how to help animals, the environment, and the world. It all began when Aiden learned about the rainforest and endangered animals in one of his FLVS courses. A trip to the Tampa zoo changed everything for the boys, and now they run their own website and social channels, creating videos that discuss important topics like climate change using a kid-friendly approach.

Learning Life Skills Through Alternative Education Programs
Colossal Academy, a microschool located on a farm in Fort Lauderdale, FL, launched in August of 2020 with the mission to place students at the center of their learning through hands-on learning experiences and a project-based approach. As an affiliate of Florida Virtual School, students use FLVS curriculum and have guidance from FLVS teachers, all while learning practical life skills through farming/permaculture, surfing, skateboarding, and mindfulness.

“Our students are thriving in this environment, and we’ve seen their self-esteem and confidence increase. My goal is to help students self-actualize at a younger age, by helping them build strong portfolios and introducing them to purposeful internships,” said Shiren Rattigan, Colossal Academy Director and Founder. “By doing this, students can make a meaningful contribution to the world in careers that are needed to solve some of the most serious challenges, like 3D designers, cybersecurity officers, industrial farmers, and more.”

At Colossal Academy, a typical day starts with students arriving at the farm, doing a physical activity to help them wake up, like yoga, and then start farming. After their lunch break, students take their core classes with Florida Virtual School, meet with Ms. Rattigan one-on-one to discuss what they’re learning, and end the day with cleaning and putting shovels and buckets away since it is an active farm.

Florida Virtual School offers full-time and part-time flexible options for grades Kindergarten-12. Students have access to more than 190 courses – including core, elective/specials, world languages, Advanced Placement, and Career and Technical Education courses – all tuition-free for Florida residents and taught by state-certified teachers using a curriculum developed specifically for the online learning environment to facilitate student success. Enrollment for FLVS Full Time will open next month, stay tuned for more details.

For more information about FLVS Flex, visit flvs.net.

By Enrolling in FLVS Flex, Students Can Continue Learning Uninterrupted and Stay Ahead of the Curve

As COVID-19 cases surge, learning online with Florida Virtual School (FLVS) Flex can provide students in Kindergarten-12^th grade with the consistency and reliability they need in a safe and supportive environment. FLVS Flex allows students to enroll year-round and work at their own pace, with 24/7 access to courses, caring Florida-certified teachers, and the freedom to learn safely from their home, giving each family the flexibility to make the decision that works best for them.

“What the majority of families experienced in the 2020-21 school year, remote emergency learning, is not true online learning,” said Jason Schultz, Senior Director of Instruction for FLVS. “With more than 20 years of experience successfully teaching students online, we know what works. We want families to know we have the tools and resources to support them and help their children’s individual needs, including one-one-one teacher support, student service professionals who address the social and emotional needs of students, a variety of clubs from cooking to coding, and more.”

Additional benefits of enrolling with FLVS Flex:

• Learning is not disrupted by constantly changing COVID-19 mitigations, ensuring there is no learning loss. In the 2020-21 school year, during a time when many were new to FLVS, there were increases in FLVS student performance across the Florida Standards Assessments and End-of-Course Assessments compared to spring 2019 results.
• Individualized learning allows students to get the help and answers they need. If students have questions about a lesson, they can text, call, or email their teacher for one-on-one assistance and attention.
• Take advantage of mental health resources from 50 student service professionals like mental health, safety, and social and emotional learning specialists. From open group sessions for students, to parent sessions and on-demand learning, students and parents have access to a variety of support topics like internet safety, time management, coping with stress, managing anxiety, and more.
• Stay connected with friends and make new ones. Students have access to more than 60 FLVS clubs where they can connect with other students who share similar passions and hobbies.
• Online learning teaches students valuable soft skills like time management and communication, as well as analytical and critical thinking. In fact, according to a recent FLVS survey, 80% of parents agree that online learning helps their children better prepare for their future, helping them build skills that are necessary for school and the workforce.

Florida Virtual School offers full-time and part-time flexible options for grades Kindergarten-12. Students have access to more than 190 courses – including core, elective/specials, world languages, Advanced Placement, and Career and Technical Education courses – all tuition-free for Florida residents and taught by state-certified teachers using a curriculum developed specifically for the online learning environment to facilitate student success.

For more information about FLVS Flex, visit flvs.net.