Originally published on The Post and Courier on July 7, 2023
Thousands of students in South Carolina are struggling in school, have been expelled or have dropped out. For various reasons, the traditional school model has not worked for them. There is an alternative with a track record of helping these students flourish and not only graduate from high school but prepare for their future with career credentials.
Virtual Learning Works for At-Risk Students
For the last decade, the Cyber Academy of SC (CASC) has educated students through sophisticated virtual instruction that combines screen time, offline learning, student collaboration and adult supervision. With its smaller classes and more individualized guidance, Cyber Academy’s students thrived during Covid, and graduation rates increased while students at most other public schools disengaged. Even students experiencing homelessness found success, with over 80% of those enrolled at Cyber Academy graduating last year – significantly higher than similar students in traditional schools.
Older students facing various barriers to success also have the option of attending Heron Virtual Academy, a free, public, online school specifically designed for at-risk high school students. Both CASC and Heron’s curriculums are provided by K12, a Stride, Inc. company and the nation’s leading online and blended education program provider.
“Our mission at Heron Virtual Academy of SC is to be the solution for parents, students and families who have felt left behind or forgotten. We believe that all students deserve the opportunity to attend a school that believes in the possibilities of what they can achieve,” says David Crook, the school’s CEO.
Students at Heron will operate at their own pace and find their own paths to graduation through tailored programs. Dedicated teachers, advisors and counselors focus on helping students via personalized attention within small classes, along with guidance and monitoring at home. All materials are mailed to students’ homes, including laptops, where necessary.
“We know how to monitor engagement in the outside world and have the infrastructure and monitoring in place to ensure student success,” says Crook. Indeed, students who fall behind are far more likely to catch up through online learning because it is so customized to their learning style and pace.
Online Learning is Full-time, Accredited and Offline, too
Leveraging the experience of Cyber Academy, Heron Virtual Academy has addressed all the myths and misgivings about online learning. For example, students are not tethered to screens all day but spend about a third of their days on other offline activities using textbooks, art supplies, science materials, etc. On-screen, students chat, collaborate and enjoy highly engaging lessons designed for video instruction. Beyond the classroom, Heron students will meet in person for academic and social outings.
The results are impressive. Students who stay with the online school for two years generally catch up and graduate with their peers.
Another common misconception is that online learning is part-time, unaccredited or less academically relevant than traditional school. On the contrary, Heron Virtual Academy is a regular school, fully accredited and endorsed by the Charter Institute at Erskine. Designed for struggling students, it employs a concept that works better for students who fall behind. However, it will still feel like a traditional classroom with many synchronous and immersive live sessions with teachers and other students.
Heron Virtual Academy is ideal for South Carolina students who have had challenges reaching academic success and could benefit from a supportive, team-oriented approach to earning a high school diploma. It offers options to adjust school schedules to the lifestyle needs of students and accelerated pathways to support credit recovery and postsecondary preparation.
“Our school is passionate about the opportunity to serve those students who have had challenges reaching academic success and show them that it is possible, no matter what past circumstances may have led them here,” said Crook.
For more information or to reserve a seat for your child in the fall, visit https://hvasc.k12.com/.
