Student Voice

Meet FLVS Student Lauren Mackey

By on July 15th, 2016

LaurenMy first course with Florida Virtual School was M/J Language Arts II with Ms. Wilson.

At the time, I was in seventh grade and planning on majoring in English at New York University to pursue a career as an author. One of my Language Arts assignments had me writing a five paragraph essay about the definition of love, which I definitely had enough experience to write about at the age of 13.

When I presented the essay to Ms. Wilson over the phone, I recall her describing my essay as something she expected to hear from an adult, out of a magazine, and encouraging me to join the FLVS Newspaper Club, News In A Click (NIAC). Continue reading


FLVS Full Time Class of 2016: Emma Cahoon

By on July 6th, 2016

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

Emma CahoonWhen Emma Cahoon first logged onto Florida Virtual School as a freshman, she was “amazed by the course opportunities.”

Now a graduate of FLVS Full Time, Cahoon clearly took advantage of the unique course offerings that FLVS provides with a schedule that consisted of five AP Classes and resulted in a diploma with 5 and ½ extra credits.

Cahoon plans to attend the University of Florida in the fall, and credits her success to the flexibility of FLVS. “I applied to 16 schools, which is a large time commitment,” said Cahoon. “I wouldn’t have been able to do that without FLVS.” Continue reading


FLVS Full Time Class of 2016: Bridget Forster

By on June 28th, 2016

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

Bridget ForsterFLVS Full Time Senior Class President, Bridget Forster, had a senior year that consisted of international tennis competitions and receiving the prestigious Wendy’s Heisman Scholarship Award, all while maintaining her 4.0 GPA.

Forster, an internationally ranked tennis player, said that she is thankful to FLVS for giving her the opportunity to live her dream of traveling as a competitive tennis player.

Because of the flexibility of FLVS, Bridget was able to follow an extensive training regimen while traveling around the world. “My favorite memory academically is definitely the teachers I got to work with,” said Forster. “I had a hectic schedule as a tennis player and I had the most understanding teachers who were so kind and helpful.” Continue reading


FLVS Student Succeeds Online and On the Ice

By on June 24th, 2016

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

Cailey WeaverAt FLVS, teachers and staff often act like proud parents, sharing the stories of exceptional students who take online courses.

Without a doubt, Cailey Weaver is one of those students. She is a talented and dedicated figure skater, who has already won numerous medals and awards in the United States — and she’s only a high school senior.

Weaver began skating at the age of two, when her mother put her into the sport. As the years went on, she enjoyed the creative aspect of figure skating, and with some help from her coach, eventually convinced her mom to let her compete. Continue reading


Celebrating Summer — And You!

By on June 1st, 2016

Summer FLVS studentThe end of the year is such an exciting time for our FLVS students!

Our students may continue to focus on educational goals over the summer or they may focus on other areas of growth within their lives.

Knowing your special gifts can add remarkable meaning and success to your life while helping you to become more willing to appreciate the uniqueness of others.

Many students don’t like the very thing about themselves that makes them one of a kind. Continue reading


The FLVS Minions

By on May 17th, 2016

Minions in the ClassroomYoung adolescents require drastically different and unique approaches to education.

Middle school educators have always understood that the biological events of puberty fundamentally disrupt the somewhat smooth development of elementary school years and has a profound impact upon the cognitive, social, and emotional lives of young teens.

In line with this important insight, educators see the need for the delivery of special instructional and administrative changes in the way that education takes place for kids in early adolescence.
Continue reading


Staying Positive In Spite of Illness

By on March 18th, 2016

This post was written by FLVS student Aislinn and originally published on her blog offering support for individuals with chronic pain. 

Dealing with Chronic PainWithout a doubt, pain changes people.

However, that does not require it to be a negative change. Chronic pain can be defined as a pain that persists or progresses over a long period of time and is often resistant to medical treatments. Pain can be a brutal teacher, but it has the ability to teach life lessons that will go unforgotten.

Chronic pain teaches you how life changes in a moment; we truly have to live each day like it is our last, because life can change any second.

When a chronic condition hits, it can lead you into a world of frustration and uncertainty.  Helplessness and hopelessness are incredibly common with chronic pain and various chronic conditions. Continue reading


9 Spring Break Locations in Florida

By on March 11th, 2016

This article was written and published by a Florida Virtual School student for the FLVS student newspaper, News in a Click.

­Florida Spring Break IdeasAre you looking to vacation somewhere this spring break but don’t want to travel too far?

Have no fear! Here is a list of spring break vacation locations tailored for Florida Virtual School students throughout Florida.

Walt Disney World – A classic location to visit, Disney World, located in Orlando, Florida, is a great option if you’re looking for fun adventures. With multiple theme parks to visit, Disney World is perfect for families.

Panama City Beach – PCB is a wonderful place to stay during spring break if you’re looking to spend time at a beach. Sometimes called the “spring break capital,” students from all over the country go to Panama City Beach for spring break. Continue reading


Get to Know the FLVS Creative Writing Club

By on February 10th, 2016

FLVS Creative Writing ClubHumans are storytellers.

There is a story held close in everyone’s mind, an unforgotten little voice stashed to the back during busy work days and released into all areas of the brain come nightfall when it is time to dream.

Anyone can be a writer – we are all writers – but some people want to expand this talent into a hobby, a career…or perhaps writing stories is like their oxygen. Without gripping novels, somber poems, or thunderous orations, our world would be bland and jejune.

If you have ever pondered an idea, a spark, a dream of a story in your mind that’s begging to break out and be heard, or if you are interested in seeing a hidden talent flourish, then the FLVS Creative Writing Club is for you! Continue reading


28 Things That Matter More Than Getting “Likes”

By on December 14th, 2015

This article was written and published by a Florida Virtual School student for the FLVS student newspaper, News in a Click.

Things that matter more than getting likesWith all of the social media available to the world today, people tend to forget about the bigger things in life.

Facebook, Tumblr, Pinterest, Reddit, Instagram, Snapchat and many other social media sites all play an important part in our everyday lives. Sometimes, it is easy to forget that there is more to life than documenting everything and getting likes on pictures and posts.

The average person, age 18-64, spends three hours on social media daily. 16 billion people share photos every day.

It is indeed fun to spend time on social media and everybody deserves time to look at these sites, but, with the amount of time we spend on social media, it would seem that we are missing out on life. Continue reading