Virtual Academies...any such thing?

I was looking up alternative education for my children (elementary and middle school) and came across I.Q. Academy of Texas. It lists as a charter school, therefore paid by the state and advertises as "free tuition."Has anyone heard of this and are these online schools legitimate?

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In California, I often hear about California Virtual Academy (CAVA), and many parents frustrated with brick and mortar schools love the program. CAVA is affiliated with the k12.com program. I checked the IQ Academy site out and they seem similar.

It's essentially homeschooling with the backup of a curriculum and support of teachers. It's important to realize since they're charter schools approved by the state, assignments are required, and even attendance is critical.

Definitely attend any informational seminars they have in your area and ask questions. Bring your middle schooler and decide what's right for both of you.

Good luck, and let us know what you find out.

thank you!

They're more widely used at the high school level, but each state has different guidelines regarding accreditation of online schools, aka "cyber-schools," aka "virtual schools." Like anything, you need to do your homework...check to be sure your state Board of Education recognizes the school....You might want to ask the virtual academy what happens to most of their students after middle school...how do they fare if they go back to a "conventional high school" (since many kids like the social aspect and extracurriculars as they get older.) In some cases, kids who are "homeschooled" can still participate in certain "conventional school" activities, anyway. Again, rules are different in each state. You might want to ask if anyone in Greatschools Homeschooling Group has more info about options in TX: community.greatschools.net/groups/11543

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