Flexible Education

Sixth Grader Takes Pre-Algebra Course Over the Summer to Accelerate Learning

By Katie Hodgins on August 8th, 2023

Bella V. didn’t know Florida Virtual School (FLVS) classes were an option until her Cypress Lake Middle School math teacher and team coach, Mrs. Wendland, suggested it. Since elementary school, Bella loved and excelled in her math classes. As a sixth grader at Cypress Lake Middle School in Fort Myers, Bella continuously sought to enhance her knowledge. This is why she jumped at the opportunity when Mrs. Wendland recommended she take pre-algebra, the 8th grade advanced math class, over the summer with FLVS before 7th grade.

The Power of School Choice: Supporting Kendall After a Spinal Cord Stroke

By Hailey Fitch on March 2nd, 2023

In April 2020, when Florida Virtual School (FLVS) student Kendall T. was only 12 years old, she felt a sharp pain in her back. As the pain increased, she asked her mom, Misty, to look at her back. What she found was a huge bruise, which was odd because Kendall hadn’t done any activities that day that would have caused it. Then, a few minutes later, her feet started to tingle. At that point, Misty decided it was time to go to the emergency room, and by the time they got there 20 minutes later, Kendall couldn’t stand.

Online Learning in 2021 and Beyond: Insights from FLVS Parents

By Florida Virtual School on May 3rd, 2021

Last year, we saw one of society’s most significant cultural shifts as people transitioned from in-person birthday parties to Zoom parties, everyday outings to at-home alternatives, and traditional classrooms to online learning. The COVID-19 pandemic changed everything about how people worked, lived, and learned.

While the transition to a stay-at-home lifestyle and online learning presented challenges, it also provided many families with a new sense of safety and flexibility. And it’s not surprising that with the end of the 2020-21 school year approaching (the first full year of virtual learning for many), parents have a new take on online learning and how it fits into their families’ post-pandemic lives.

Meet FLVS Student Olivia McComb

By Guest Blogger on February 9th, 2017

This article was originally written and published in the FLVS student newspaper, News in a Click.

For FLVS student Olivia McComb, music is her life.

As a classic rock musician based in Sarasota, Florida, the 15-year-old has been singing “ever since she could talk.” Olivia has performed live at multiple venues singing both classic rock and 90’s music.

She says, “I entertained the idea of being a singer for many years, but when I was 11, I started taking the idea seriously and at 13 I started training my voice to sing professionally.”

A teen of many talents, Olivia primarily plays seven instruments: guitar, piano, drums and cajon, bass, ukulele and tambourine.

In addition, she enjoys writing her own songs and lyrics. “Playing around with progressions on guitar and piano is extremely fun.” Continue reading

Benefits of Home Education

By Guest Blogger on February 25th, 2016

“My child is being bullied at school.”

“My child has a medical condition that makes it difficult for him/her to attend school regularly.”

“My child is a professional athlete/artist and a traditional school setting does not fit our busy schedule.”

“My child does not seem to do very well in the public school setting and I would like an alternative option for him/her.”

No matter what a family’s reason may be for considering home education for their child, it is wonderful to know that this alternative method for completing their education is not only available, but in many cases the best decision. Continue reading

Benefits of Competency-Based Learning

By Guest Blogger on December 7th, 2015

One of the common symptoms of leukemia is a significant decrease in functional white blood cells.

Which components of nonspecific and specific immunity will be negatively affected by leukemia? Which components of the immune system will remain unaffected?

Can you answer that? My guess is that many of you reading this post cannot answer it AT THIS TIME. That’s because you haven’t been able to learn all of the necessary information to understand the question and process it to result in an answer. In some cases, that’s what happens to students in a brick-and-mortar classroom based on a traditional 180-day school calendar.

Students try learning the preceding information, but the teacher must move on in the lesson to meet the seat-time based school-year plan before each student can master the content, potentially leaving a student without the skills to answer correctly. Continue reading