FOX5 Vegas - KVVUVirtual High School lets kids go to school at home

Virtual High School lets kids go to school at home

The Virtual High School lets kids go to school in the comfort of their own home. CCSD says this type of online learning could help the ailing graduation rate.

Instead of waking up early and rushing to class, 150 high schoolers get up when they feel like it and take their classes online.

"You get to eat breakfast, (you) don't have to wake up super early and be afraid you're going to miss the bus," Dakota Schneider said.

Schneider is a junior at VHS. He went to Basic High School his freshmen year, but struggled.

"I noticed I couldn't concentrate a lot with kids constantly tapping on desks, making noise."

The shy student also worried about bullying, and says some of his friends were victims. Schneider researched VHS and gave it a try.

Dominique Quattrini is a Virtual High School senior.

She battled Hodgkin's Lymphoma the summer before high school. After beating it she went to Silverado High School her freshman year. Quattrini relapsed the following summer and enrolled in virtual school from her hospital room, "For me, even though I was dealing with all the treatments, I wanted to - as best as I could - stay on track and finish."

After beating cancer the second time, she almost went back to her traditional school but decided against it.

Despite the physical distance with online learning, students say they actually get more one on one time with their teachers.

"They'll check in at least once a week and we have an instant messenger program so we can message them anytime they're online and we need help. So, it's definitely more personable here," Quattrini said.

There are more than 3,800 students enrolled in VHS. 150 of them are full time like Schneider and Quattrini. They can log on 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They are able to look back at old lessons or jump ahead. Everything is on the site, from textbooks to tests.

There are 12 teachers, who don't have traditional classrooms but cubicles. The VHS campus is at the Vegas PBS building. Students are able to go there to use onsite computer labs and get face to face tutoring if needed.

The teachers are required to be in the office two days a week, but are always available through text or instant message. The teachers have to get back to students within 24 hours, but we're told they all usually respond immediately.

Schneider's mom Lisa says VHS makes it easier for parents to get involved because it's more transparent.

"You can see everything they have, all their assignments; the comments teachers write. The teachers are available all the time."

There are also part time students at VHS. Some are taking classes not offered at their school.

1,200 others are taking part in credit recovery. As part of the district's new graduation initiative, students who failed a class in school can retake it online to help earn their diploma.

Virtual High School Assistant Principal Jami Miller says this is helping the graduation rate, and as it becomes more popular will help schooling overall, especially with large class sizes.

"For some students this is something they need; they need this flexibility, the time needed to level the playing field. For other students, they may want more of the face to face option, and by having the other students talk online, it makes room for those students that would like that face to face option," Miller said.

But not everyone is convinced online education is the way to go. Some students say you learn more than academics in high school.

"Everybody who's been to high school knows about drama in high school and different things that go on, but that kind of builds you up," Daniel Dinev said.

Dinev is a senior at Clark High School. He is taking an AP class online but prefers the traditional experience. He says his freshmen year he only focused on his studies, but since then he has become involved in several clubs and has made many new friends. He says students learn from those experiences, too.

"You're missing out if you're just studying and staying to your academics. The real high school experience is going to homecoming games, going to dances, meeting people. It's the social interaction - it's very, very important," Dinev said.

Lisa Schneider says she worried about her son missing out on those social aspects, but doesn't think forcing him into regular high school would make a difference, "If we push him into going to Basic, is it going to help him be outgoing and have friends and do other things? Probably not. He's just not that type of kid."

VHS knows social interaction is important, so it works to take the distance out of distance education. They team up with another school for prom. Kids are able to play sports in their zone schools. And each teacher heads a club in his or her free time.

Quattrini is President of Student Council. Schneider is looking to get involved and make new friends, and he's making better grades, "I definitely improved from maybe B's and C's to just about all A's."

The students say it's not all fun and games. Sure, you can watch TV when you want, or just relax, but going to high school online also requires discipline. It took them awhile to get used to it and get in the habit.

"You have to be independent, so if you have that bullying situation and want to get away from that drama, this may be the place to go," Quattrini said.

While CCSD may be considered worst in the nation for a few things, it's leading the nation in this type of education. The state of Nebraska sent reps down to check out the system. It will model its new program after VHS. The district also hosts webinars around the world explaining how it works.

Right now, 3,800 students are enrolled in some form of VHS. Next year, CCSD Superintendent Dwight Jones wants 10 percent of the high schoolers to take advantage of it. That's about 30,000 students.

Another goal for VHS educators is expanding from just high school to K-12. A few junior high students are already taking advanced classes online for credit.

The Virtual High School is about 80 percent girls, and 20 percent boys. Administrators say it's because girls feel stronger online; they don't have to worry about being in a classroom full of boys or worrying about cliques.

Wednesday morning on FOX5 News you'll hear from other VHS students. That's in the 7a.m. hour.

To learn more about the Virtual High School click here.

In addition to the Virtual High School, there is another independent study model students can take part in. Click here for more information.

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