Student Success
Meet Sierra, FLVS Student & Shark Barrier Inventor
By Guest Blogger on July 27th, 2018
My name is Sierra and Florida Virtual School has provided me the opportunity to pursue various ambitions. My first step with FLVS was taken when I was in 7th grade. This year, I will be going into 11th grade with FLVS Flex. When I attended public school, I was harassed to the extent I had no choice but to leave the school. After much discussion, my parents and I agreed that FLVS was my best option. The summer I started virtual school was peaceful. I just had my school work, family, and the freedom to explore. It was the first time that year that I didn’t have to worry about being bullied.
With my newfound freedom, I watched my first Shark Week episode that summer. My mom and I spent the rest of that week watching, including an episode featuring Dr. Craig O’Connell’s Shark Safe Barrier. The concept of an innovative shark barrier sparked my imagination and was tangled in my thoughts for a while. Continue reading
Celebrating a Year of High School Success
By Guest Blogger on May 24th, 2018
As the FLVS Full Time High School Principal, I am happy to report that we saw more student success in our courses this school year than ever before.
For both students and staff, the beginning of the 2017-18 school year was not quite as expected. We had a visitor named Irma that was intent on making our start anything but smooth. Irma did present us with some challenges, but our students stood tall and persevered through it all. Continue reading
20 Years of Student Success
By Guest Blogger on February 26th, 2018
This article was originally written and published in the FLVS student newspaper, News in a Click.
It’s a fact! This year, FLVS is turning 20. It is crazy to believe that there have been 20 years of discussion based assessments, collaborations and, most importantly, 20 years of outstanding student success.
For many students, virtual school means different things. “I AM FLVS” is a phrase that makes every student think about how they represent their school. Continue reading
Where FLVS Students See Themselves in 20 Years
By Florida Virtual School on December 1st, 2017
FLVS has certainly grown since we first opened our virtual doors in 1997. We’ve come a long way over the years, and so have our students!
During our recent photo contest, students told us how they have grown thanks to FLVS and where they see themselves in the future. Last month, we shared our three contest winners, but there were so many amazing entries that we had to include a few honorable mentions…
Announcing our 2017 Photo Contest Winners
By Florida Virtual School on November 16th, 2017
For the last several years, FLVS has hosted photo contests allowing students to share their success stories and what it’s like to be an online student. This school year, we put a new twist on the contest as FLVS celebrates 20 years of innovative student learning. Continue reading
FLVS Corkboard: September Highlights
By Florida Virtual School on September 27th, 2017
If you live in Florida, there’s a 99.9 percent chance you’ll agree that September brought a mix of crazy, stressful, devastating, miserable, and frustrating emotions. Hurricane Irma affected Florida in a massive way. Thank you for reaching out and sharing with us how you and your family are doing. We hope you are well and enjoy your September Highlights. Continue reading
FLVS Corkboard: Back to School Edition
By Florida Virtual School on August 24th, 2017
Some of you may be new to FLVS and others have been with us through the summer, but we want to officially welcome everyone to the start of the 2017-18 school year!
This year marks our 20th anniversary, and we could not be more excited. FLVS has come a long way from our humble beginnings in 1997 when we opened our virtual doors. Now we are celebrating 20 years of innovative student learning! Check out our video, milestones, pinboard, and more at flvs.net/20-years.
You can also subscribe to the blog to view our 20-year series! Continue reading
Rock On: Expert Advice from Two Master Teachers
By Florida Virtual School on July 20th, 2017
Every time I look back at my career as a teacher, I realize how far I have come.
What I find truly astounding is that what made the most impact in my practice was not learned in the resounding hallways of my Alma Mater or the momentous conference rooms of the many in-service training sessions I’ve completed, but interacting and networking with my peers. Sometimes I will get the best idea from asking a question or brainstorming in a Professional Learning Community (PLC) session.
And just like a movie flashback, I am back at the topic for this blog!
I wanted to ask some questions to our teachers that everyone else also asks. It was difficult to single out one or two teachers, because here at FLVS I feel that I am teaching in the middle of a rock festival and every teacher I know is a rock star!
To narrow it down, I reached out to two of our Teacher of the Year nominees, Amsler Burns and Kellie Shellenberger. Continue reading
FLVS Corkboard: June Highlights
By Florida Virtual School on June 20th, 2017
Hey students and parents—Summer’s in full swing and we have some sun-sational tidbits to share!
But first, a few reminders…
Mark your calendar for the upcoming holiday! In observance of Independence Day, the week of July 3rd (July 3-7) has been designated a holiday break for all FLVS instructors and support staff. The Customer Service Center will be closed on Monday, July 4 only. Students are encouraged to continue their studies as courses remain open, but please be mindful that there will be a brief delay in teacher response. Have a wonderful and safe holiday!
Planning to take FLVS courses this summer? There’s still time to sign up, but don’t delay. Start by browsing our featured summer courses.
Ready to get started? Sign up today! Continue reading
Making Connections for the Future
By Elizabeth Fulcher on April 13th, 2017
Life is about the connections we make. Sometimes these connections come from people we’ve known our entire lives, friends next door, colleagues, or even classmates at school.
Because fitting in is a big part of a student’s success, especially during the teenage years, making these connections and collaborating with others can help students grow and learn. Studies have demonstrated this, but I learned it firsthand when I was still in school.
Transitioning from middle to high school was difficult for me, so the 9th and 10th grade years were a trying time in my life. Luckily, I had some excellent teachers who helped me adjust. One particularly important moment was the day my 11th grade computer teacher encouraged me to attend a Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) meeting.
When I finally relented and decided to go, I didn’t yet realize I’d made one of the best decisions of my life. Continue reading