Oklahoma Virtual Academy

[tnajk]

Fed up with our local school district antics we are looking to pull our children out and send them... to where? That IS the question. Having 4 children we're not really financially able to send them to private school. I'm very dissapointed in the educational options available here in Oklahoma. In Colorado we had so many more choices. 3 Charter schools (2 of the 3 were rated EXCELLENT) within 20 minutes of our home. Also, Colorado Virtual Academy COVA: Colorado Virtual Academy Frequently Asked Questions - K12 Inc. Homeschooling, elementary and high school curriculum

Where are the choices here in Oklahoma!? Why is there no Virtual Academy available?

Really what do you do when you are not happy with what your public schools are offering for your children?

[Karried]

Really what do you do when you are not happy with what your public schools are offering for your children?

Homeschool or move to Edmond ( j/k, but I'm such a fan of our schools here.. love them. )

Sorry to hear of your troubles.. have your tried talking to the Adminstration?

[solitude]

This is an amazing idea. I Googled around and found that many school districts across the country have these "virtual academies" with home-based online learning and opportunities for school activities and trips with the kids together. These all appear to be public charter schools.

I am surprised there is no such thing in the Oklahoma City Public Schools. Oklahoma is a huge homeschooling state and it seems like a natural district for such a program. One thing to remember, the system itself doesn't "offer" the charter schools. The public, parents, group of parents, etc. actually start charter schools by making application under current guidelines and are then accepted under the umbrella of the local school system.

If it's truly not being done here now - here's your chance to get involved and make it happen. The Oklahoma City Public Schools has a page on how to get started (link is under this post). You can download a copy of the Charter Schools Act which tells you what must be done to meet requirements. There surely would be an angel sponsor in this city that would take this on. BTW, charter schools are eligible for up to $50,000 in start-up aid and are funded the same way other public schools are funded. Most charter schools also have financial angels who support the work in addition to the public funding. Like I said - it's an amazing idea and I'm baffled as to why it's not here already!

OKC Public Schools: Starting a Charter School

[Karried]

Advanced Academics Ch 9 - AOL Video

[Karried]

This might be something to look into:


Advanced Academics

[tnajk]

That's great, but there are no options for younger children. This program is only for High School students.

[teacher girl]

well, if you are in OKC public schools, they have some various "different" schools that your child can more then likely transfer too (sequyah, wilson, nichols hills) and then there is the classen sas!!

as for what to do if you are not happy with the public schools (being a public school teacher that isn't totally happy either) you can talk with the teacher and administration, instead of complaining, put together a plan that could help the entire school!

or, let the teacher do the best they can (this is providing that they do have a teacher that cares and is doing the best they can) and you can do enrichment at home (going to local parks, museum school, library, etc)

The one thing I have learned, being a teacher and parent, the schools can/will only go so far, and it's up to us (the parent) to bring in the rest to complete what our children need!

sometimes the teachers just have their arms tied and can't do more then what they are currently doing, sometimes they just might not want to.

I wish I could help you out, but like karried said, i love me some edmond schools!!!

[okiemom]

If you have questions about homeschooling, I will glad to help.
By the way, most homeschoolers don't consider virtual schools homeschooling.

Oklahoma Homeschool - how to homeschool, homeschool curriculum, free forms, lesson plans, unit studies, oklahoma history, and The Checklist

HERO of Oklahoma

OCHEC - Oklahoma Christian HomeSchool Consociation

HSLDA | Home School Laws


Homeschool state convention
May 2-3, 2008 Cox Convention Center, Oklahoma City

If you are interested in an online school instead of homeschooling, there are several to choose from.

Homeschool Online - Grace Academy K-12 Christian Online Homeschool Program!! - christian

Home School Program - Leading K-12 Christian Homeschooling Online! - christian

Keystone High School, Online High School, Online High School Diploma - secular

Just do a search for online schools and you should come up with a long list.