For generations this ditty has reflected little more than wishful thinking. Now 450,000 children in the United States can sincerely sing this anti-school rhyme because they’ve abandoned traditional schools for online education. Released from crowded classrooms, kids are jumping onto the electronic bandwagon in ever-increasing numbers. Global Student Network, a provider of online curriculum to public, private and charter schools, has over 35,000 students using it’s curriculum in over 250 school districts nationwide.

Though cyber schooling hasn’t come close to replacing traditional schools, some business leaders like Bill Gates to Jack Welch, the former CEO of General Electric, have gone on record with their assertion that online has a promising future. (In his 2010 annual letter, Gates said his foundation would be funding projects that further the development of online learning.)

In the past decade, e-learning has spread into new terrain and thereby transformed its fly-by-night reputation. The vast majority of homeschoolers now use online curriculum like Global Student Network’s online curriculum. Again, A number of charter schools have also adopted online programs, and some traditional schools are offering e-learning options as well. “In the last five years, online learning has become much more proven and mainstream,” says Don Posson, VP of Operations and Technology for Global Student Network, and Superintendent of International Virtual Learning Academy. “It’s differentiated, engaging, and it really provides the ideal situation for many students.”

Research firm Ambient Insight predicts that some 10.5 million students in preschool through high school will take at least some online classes by 2014.

The most obvious appeal for online courses is the electronic medium itself. Textbooks can get boring, and e-learning can provide a variety of multi-media presentations to address each students learning needs. Students are able to stay connected to their learning more easily.

For other students, online learning promises an escape from the petri dish phenomenon: emotional and physical settings that are anything but healthy. With the current economic conditions nationwide, schools are cutting back to basics, class sizes are increasing, and teachers are more challenged then ever just to maintain order in the brick-and-mortar classroom.

In online environments, students don’t have to worry about teasing and bullying, the distractions of noisy classrooms, and the multitude of personality issues that create environments where learning is difficult. For many students, e-learning provides a healthy environment. Physically, emotionally, and mentally. Students have less chance of getting sick because of someone ill coming to school and spreading flu’s and colds.

Online education has also proved to be a boon for those who need more time — or less. Fast learners are able to accelerate their learning without being slowed down by the rest of the class. Slower learners are able to take the time they need to master concepts, without embarassment or pressure from the rest of the class. Every student is able to go deeper into materials they are struggling with so they can master essential concepts before moving on.

Time on task. It’s the goal of every teacher juggling administrative announcements, classroom disruptions, and countless other interruptions. Some kids claim this is the great boon of online learning: more time spent learning every day. There is a lot of wasted time in regular school — changing classes, administrative stuff.

Doug, an ninth-grader from the International Virtual Learning Academy, claims that he gets “twice the work done that I was doing in eight hours in three or four hours, with a quarter of the stress!” For him, it’s as much a matter of avoiding the time suck of social drama: “There are less distractions in online school; I’m not caught up in other peoples issues.”

Some kids with special needs or learning disabilities may find online curriculum more personalized than a teacher attempting to meet the needs of 35 students at once. According to Laurie Bloom, Director of International Virtual Learning Academy. many mildly autistic students find that they can focus and learn better with a computer.

Though the previous reasons may be the most commonly cited for choosing online schools, the list is far from complete. Here are several more reasons why parents might consider e-learning for their kids, either as a supplement to their studies or an alternative:

Is it a long, inconvenient commute to the nearest school?

Are you concerned about dangers at school — such as drugs, sexting, and gang violence?

Do you want to shield your child from ideas you disagree with?

Does your child adore computers?

Do you want to travel abroad for a year and keep your kid on track with e-learning?

Does your curious teenager wish to take extra classes your small school doesn’t offer, such as french, sociology or forensic science?

Does your high schooler want to work during school hours? (He or she can study online at night.)

Is your child an athlete who needs to train in the daytime?

Does your child have emotional issues that make classroom dynamics difficult?

While online education is not yet a serious rival to traditional schooling, its appeal may expand as public schools lose funding and online curriculum becomes more sophisticated. Sure, it’s still a developing area, but as Posson notes, “Fifteen years ago everyone would have thought it impossible to do all our shopping and banking online, but now it is commonplace. Education can also be an online activity.”

Here are several questions to help you decide if your student should learn online.  Weigh the pros and cons of leaving the analog classroom behind with these seven steps.

How do you assess whether online learning is right for your children? By starting with the basics — how happy they are in traditional schools and how comfortable they are using technology — these seven pointers can help you as you think about making the switch.

1. Are your children happy, successful learners in traditional school settings?

2. If not, ask them why.

3. Do they like computers and electronic interaction?

4. Can your kids maintain a vibrant social life if they’re not at a traditional school?

5. Explain to your children that online learning demands self-motivation. If they resist this, don’t pursue it.

6. Have your children try out some online education study samples to see if they enjoy studying online. Both Global Student Network and International Virtual Learning Academy offers lesson demos for the student and parent.

7. Examine all the e-learning options carefully. Is there one that is ideal for your kids’ specific needs?

For more information about Global Student Network, a provider of online curriculum for homeschoolers, go to: www.globalstudentnetwork.com/homeschool.

For more information about International Virtual Learning Academy, a private, accredited online school, go to: www.InternationalVLA.com

As growing populations of homeschoolers emerge; online programs have come to define the ground between homeschooling and personalized school-at-home education.

Homeschool Facts subscribers have voiced their opinion. For two years running, HS Facts “Best-in-Class” survey has recognized International Virtual Learning Academy for their excellence in online education.

Schools such as International Virtual Learning Academy (IVLA) help each student maximize his or her potential by combining the innovation of online learning with the supportive environment of homeschooling.
International Virtual Learning Academy is a private, accredited online school-at-home program for students in grades 3-12. IVLA provides a high quality curriculum and exceptional state-certified teachers.

IVLA uses Global Student Network’s online curriculum, combining:

• Customized online textbooks and materials from leading curriculum experts,
• Engaging resources from innovators in online learning,
• Lessons and instructional media from their own curriculum experts.

At the time of enrollment, IVLA enrolls:

• The student in a portal that includes all required materials in a comprehesnsive, easy-to-use online learning management portal
• The parent in a read-only version of the student portal. Parents can see and assist their students through their courses, at the same time receiving the expertise and assistance of highly qualified teachers

International Virtual Learning Academy provides a dedicated teacher who works directly with both the student and parent  to develop an individual learning plan, provide instruction, and evaluate assignments. Instruction and administration are conducted through the outstanding learning management system and integrated communication tools. Every IVLA teacher is fully committed to each child’s educational success.

With the best resources at their fingertips, IVLA students explore and master required core subjects: language arts, mathematics, science and social studies. At each grade level, students go beyond the basics to lay the groundwork for future academic success:

• Building a solid foundation in reading, writing and mathematics.
• Developing lifelong learning and analytical skills.
• Encouraging exploration, critical thinking, and problem-solving.

International Virtual Learning Academy has been recognized as “Best-in-Class” by Homeschool Facts subscribers for two years in a row. See for yourself how IVLA brings the classroom to you: www.InternationalVLA.com

In today’s economy, many homeschool families look for ways to cut education costs without sacrificing the quality of education. With the rapid development of online education, families can now have the best of both worlds – high quality online education at a very reasonable price.  While cost is only one factor that families should consider in choosing their child’s education, they no longer have to decide between cost and quality.

For the past several years, families were sometimes forced to choose between free public schools, and homeschooling. New technology now offers a third choice, private, accredited, online school-at-home programs.

This article won’t discuss the free public education option at all, so if that’s still a decision factor, it won’t be much help here.

This article discusses the two other options: Homeschooling vs. School-at-home programs. So, what are the differences between homeschooling your child yourself, and enrolling in a private online school?

Homeschooling:  Over the past decade, homeschooling has grown substantially as a viable education option for many families. A homeschool family is one that, for a variety of reasons, has pulled out of the traditional education system in order to have direct and complete control of the education of their students. The parents make all decisions regarding the curriculum their children will use, if any; how they will assess their children, and when they consider their children to have completed their education. Because the parents are typically not licensed educators, very few homeschool programs are eligible for accreditation. Although this should not be a strong deterrent for committing to homeschooling, it is a factor that should be considered. There is a great resource of information on this topic at: http://www.globalstudentnetwork.com/homeschool/blog/

School-at-Home (Private Distance Education Schools):  Good online schools have professionally trained educators and faculty to provide high quality, flexible education support to families. Many seek and receive regional accreditation. Accreditation is the official recognition that a school of any type uses curriculum developed by professionals and that is evaluated by accrediting agencies to guarantee that the curriculum is in line with local, state, and federal academic standards. Enrolling your children in an accredited distance learning program means you’ll never have to worry about colleges accepting classes, or questioning the accuracy of transcripts.

Another strength of many distance learning private schools, such as International Virtual Learning Academy, is that they provide students with individualized instructional programs based on each child’s specific needs. Many times, students struggle to understand complex concepts, and as parents, we sometimes find it difficult to explain or help our children in these circumstances. With the help of a private online school, students have access to a variety of different teachers and to numerous programs that will assist in the learning process.

A third advantage of some online private schools is that they combine the strengths of private schooling and home schooling?  This hybrid model where the school’s staff and faculty support the parent’s direct academic involvement in their children brings out the best in children and provides educational opportunities not previously available to many homeschoolers.

Not sure which option is best for you? One company, Global Student Network can help you navigate through your decision. Global Student Network provides a public school online curriculum directly to homeschool families. With this option, the parent is in charge of their child’s education from start to finish, and has total authority of their student’s education.

Global Student Network also collaborates with International Virtual Learning Academy, a private, accredited online school for grades 3-12.

International Virtual Learning Academy offers a less expensive private school alternative. Tuition at most private schools is very expensive and can compare in cost to sending your children to college. However, IVLA’s tuition is surprisingly affordable, and costs a fraction of the tuition of a bricks and mortar schools charge.

By choosing a private online school, you also avoid the “oops” cost of homeschooling, those expensive mistakes of purchasing textbooks and workbooks that aren’t quite adequate or what you expected. When this occurs, not only do you have the cost of the original purchase, but then the replacement purchase as well. How many times have you purchased a curriculum or a textbook only to find that it’s not quite what you expected?

Homeschooling is time-intensive, and your time is money—whether you work outside the home or work full time within your home. Your time developing a teaching strategy, pouring over curriculum options, trying to figure out how to provide a report card and diploma, etc., is no longer an issue. By enrolling in a school-at-home academy like IVLA, the school staff manages all of these aspects of your child’s education. This works well for many parents that just don’t feel qualified to teach certain subjects or don’t feel qualified to do it all on their own.

When it comes to your child’s education, your ability to provide a caring, comfortable, and positive environment is second nature to International Virtual Learning Academy. IVLA understands and works directly with each student’s parents to ensure that all students receive a high quality education.

•    Value Laden Education at International Virtual Learning Academy:
•    Uses high quality curriculum developed by a public school district and used by over 30,000 school-at-home students world-wide
•    Accredited by Northwest Association of Accredited Schools – One of the “Big Six” accrediting bodies.
•    Highly qualified teachers for each course – Master’s degree and licensed teacher.
•    Affordable – surprisingly so. Contact IVLA at: 877-878-6001 for more information.

Do you have what it takes to go to high school online? It is not for the faint of heart or the weak of spirit. It will be just as demanding, actually more demanding, than traditional high schools.

Not that you should be easily scared off, but it is well worth thinking through several of the important issues before jumping in with both feet.  Here are six points that will help you decide if being an online high school student is right for you:

1. Difficulty: Being an online high school student is at least as difficult as being a traditional student and some find it more difficult. There are a number of reasons for this including keeping up the motivation to get the work done (as opposed to the teacher).

2. Fit. Find a school that has the right model for you. If you know that you will need extra time to complete courses, do not choose a program that is semester-based. If you know that you need set deadlines in order to complete work, do not choose a program that has open-ended or far in the future deadlines.

3. Level of Independence: Choose a collaborative arrangement that works for you. If you work best in isolation, do not choose a program that requires group work. If you need the support of other students, do not choose a program that is primarily independent study.

4. Media/Online Learning Curriculum: Choose a program that uses the type of media which works for you. If you need audio and video files, find the programs that offer those resources.

5. Learning Level: If you are an adult and want to be in a program that focuses on adults, choose one. If you are a teen and do not want to be “in class” with adults, select a program that only allows the under-18 crowd.

6. Commitment: Commit to doing the work. The #1 reason for students failing to complete a program is a lack of commitment. You can do it. You need to decide that you will do it.

Online learning provides many advantages for students at the high school level, but you it is important to go in with eyes wide open. Understand limitations, understand the limitations of learning online, and understand the limitations of the specific program.

Don Posson is the Superintendent of International Virtual Learning Academy, a private, accredited online school that serves students in grades 3-12 from throughout the world. IVLA uses Global Student Network’s online curriculum and learning management system as the backbone of their virtual school.

High school is an important time for students.  It is a time of preparation where students transition the knowledge and study habits of elementary and middle school into preparation for college and career. Choosing an Online High School is an important family decision.  Families choose homeschooling for a wide variety of reasons. Whatever those reasons, online learning has become a popular option for many high school homeschoolers.

Online learning offers students tremendous benefits in terms of increased course access, stronger engagement and individualized support, and development of 21st century skills. In fact, because of these benefits – over 1 million K-12 students participated in some form of online learning last year and studies show that on average, students perform equally well or better academically in online learning.

In addition to finding the right blend of school staffing to fit your student’s learning needs, finding a curriculum that meets your student’s specific learning needs is also very important. Online learning can offer a broader and more custom curriculum for your child, to better meet their needs and desires for the future. Today, top quality curriculum and certified instructors can be found on the internet to assist students with learning disabilities, those having trouble or needing additional instruction in a particular subject, gifted students looking for courses they can’t find in their own school, as well as students who want to prepare for college courses and placement exams like the SAT and ACT.

International Virtual Learning Academy offers an engaging program that allows students to master concepts at their pace. In IVLA’s online environment, students are just as involved in study as they would be in a classroom, if not more. The media-rich online curriculum engages students using interactive activities, live discussion forums, and audio and visual aids. Students can complete courses faster, catch up or explore a subject in depth. And teachers and a learning coach are available during the day by phone and online office hours, and virtually anytime via email and chat.

Online Learning also integrates the development of 21st century skills. Online learning is an exceptional method for helping a high school student achieve their goals by providing an intriguing and effective means to comprehend and achieve mastery of course content and earn credits toward graduation. It also builds computer-technology and higher-order thinking skills that are critical for success in today’s digital age.

Online learning allows your student to—

• Learn on their own schedule:  Students can login and work on courses at any time of day, any day of the week. it’s easy to stay on schedule.
• Students develop study habits that help them succeed: Online learning means you and your student are in charge; with help if you need it, students will begin to develop study habits that lead to effective learning.
• Interact with teachers anytime:  Enjoying one-on-one communication with homeroom and subject-matter teachers, our students never get “lost in the crowd” or feel awkward about asking questions in front of large groups.
• Research and submit assignments the easy way: Students have access to a variety of online resources for research and submit assignments electronically. Teachers provide their feedback electronically, within 72 hours of receiving a completed assignment.
• Graduate with a high school diploma: International Virtual Learning Academy grants students a high school diploma and transcript that will be recognized by colleges and universities around the country.

International Virtual Learning Academy is a private accredited school that serves students throughout the world and offers a high-quality, flexible alternative to the traditional learning experience. IVLA serves students in grades 3-12. The Academy offers a wide variety of online, media-rich courses, all backed by more than 30 years of distance learning experience.

For more information, or to enroll now, go to: International Virtual Learning Academy

Finding an online school that meets your families educational needs is no small undertaking. The first major issue after you have decided to be more actively involved in your child’s education is whether to homeschool, or whether you want to school-at-home. I won’t go to far into it in this blog, but you can read more at Homeschool vs. School-at-Home.

That blog will help you decide which direction is best for you. Once you’ve made the decision to be more actively involved in your child’s education, and you know that you want to School-at-Home, the next step is to find an online school that’s right for you and for your children. Some of the key issues that I recommend you look for are:

• Level of parental involvement required - Your child’s education should be a collaboration between you, your child, their teachers, and the school.
• Course selection - the online school should have all the courses that are necessary for your child’s complete education.
• Flexibility - your child should be able to work when they are at their best, and around your family’s schedule, not around the convenience of the school
• Accreditation - There are many online schools that claim accreditation, I recommend making sure they are one of the “Big Six” accrediting bodies.
• Full diploma programs - You don’t want your child in classes only to find that they cannot get a high school diploma.
• Nationally recognized curriculum - will ease the college application process.
• Part time and full time enrollment.
• Book based or online based - Many online schools claim to be online, but rely heavily on books, cd’s, packets, etc. Some examples are K-12, Insight Schools, and any school that uses Blackboard or E-college as their learning management system.

A great way to find the right program is to start your search online. Many search phrases will get you to some schools. Remember though, that some of the better online schools may not do well in search engines (That’s a subject for a whole other blog). One of the more highly recommended online schools for elementary, middle, and high schools is International Virtual Learning Academy.

Create an evaluation list to measure how each school can meet your needs. An evaluation list is a listing of criteria you can use to find the right school. This list should include the aspects of online learning that are most important to you such as cost, time to graduate, requirements, teacher support, parental involvement, and other criteria that you consider important.

Be disciplined in your evaluation of online schools. Create a spreadsheet and rank them based on which meet your criteria and which do not. Once you have selected the top 2 possibilities, learn more about the school by speaking to someone in the admission office. This is a great way to learn about the school itself, get any questions you might have answered, and determine your fit with the school.

Learning online takes a great deal of organization and discipline. As a result, you will find that most students enrolled are highly focused on learning. Even the most motivated students sometimes need a great deal of support. Schooling-at-home can be a great opportunity to strengthen your relationship with your child, but it can also be taxing to find the right balance. Good online schools will have the staff to help you through this process. Keep this in mind when you start your search and consider which programs can meet your child’s needs.

For more information about International Virtual Learning Academy, go to: www.internationalvla.com

A recent U.S. Department of Education report shows the continued growth of homeschooling in the United States. The report, from the National Center for Educational Statistics estimated a 74% increase in homeschooling over the 8 years ending in 2007. In addition to lack of confidence and dissatisfaction with traditional public schools parents cite their desire to be more actively involved in their children’s education.

Recent developments in educational technology have certainly increased opportunities for homeschool families, but the same technologies have blurred the lines between “homeschooling” and “school-at-home” programs.

Homeschool:
A homeschool family is one that, for a variety of reasons, has pulled out of the traditional education system in order to have direct and complete control of the education of their students. The parents make all decisions regarding the curriculum their children will use, if any; how they will assess their children, and when they consider their children to have completed their education. A review of the research on homeschooling indicates that homeschool students do as well as, if not better than traditionally educated students in most academic measures, including success in college.

There are many curriculum providers that help ease the transition from traditional education into homeschooling. One of the challenges for early homeschoolers was ensuring their students learned the subject materials they needed for successful transition into college. While traditional schools use standardized curriculum, early homechoolers did not have access to that benefit.

One of the first decisions homeschool families need to make is what curriculum they will use for their children’s education. Two types are generally available. Traditional books, delivered via mail or library, and online courses. One of the most popular online curriculums, offered by Global Student Network (GSN) is currently being used by homeschoolers in all 50 states and 28 countries.

Global Student Network is an online curriculum provider that seems to understand the difference between homeschooling and school-at-home. When a family enrolls in GSN’s homeschool option, the parent is placed in the “teacher” module so that they can assess their children, provide feedback, and have complete control over their education. GSN assists parents with course selection when requested, and provides detailed information and forms for maintaining a “homeschool portfolio,” the equivalent of a public school transcript. They also provide a certificate of completion for each course for the parent to sign and issue to their students. An outstanding feature of GSN’s online curriculum is that it was developed by a public school district, is a standards-based curriculum that meets the standards in all 50 states and has been well received by a wide variety of homeschool families

It is important for new homeschoolers to understand that homeschool curricula are never accredited. Curricula in and of itself does not meet any criteria for any accrediting organizations. In order for an institution to have accreditation, it must be a school of some form. Whether the school is set up as an independent study program, or traditional education institution, accreditation is granted based on self-review, other review, and the administrative processes a school uses to conduct its business. Rarely is a school accredited on the basis of its curriculum, its teaching method, or its teaching effectiveness.

At one time, getting into college required attending an accredited high school. Over the past several years, an increasing number of colleges recognize what homeschoolers have known for some time, that homeschool students do equally well or better in college than traditionally educated students. Colleges are now actively recruiting and accepting homeschool students on an equal basis as traditionally educated youth. The most important criteria that colleges use are the transcripts (or portfolio) of the students educational career, and their score on the SAT/ACT test. An excellent resource for colleges that actively recruit and accept homeschoolers can be found at HomeschoolFacts.com

School-at-Home:
With the rising dissatisfaction with public education, school-at-home programs have popped up all across the nation. Using a variety of independent study methods, these programs are established as private or public schools. The most significant aspect of school-at-home programs is that they have some element of control and authority of the learning process of your child. The level of control ranges from minimal to in-depth. Some of the terminology you may hear is: Umbrella School, Independent Study Program, Accredited High School Diploma from your home. There are also many public and charter schools that are beginning to offer school-at-home programs.

School-at-home programs serve as excellent resources for parents that want more control over their children’s education, but feel that they might struggle with the “teaching” of some or all subjects to their children. Most school-at-home programs provide some level of teaching support for the families they serve.

School-at-home programs operating under public charter school regulations in many states are not permitted to charge for tuition, and there appears to be a rising trend throughout the nation for this form of cyber-school. The downside of public charter cyber-schools is that they must comply with the regulations of the No Child Left Behind law. To the family and student, this typically means annual assessment test to measure Annual Yearly Progress. Public charter cyber-schools have mixed reviews when compared to their brick-and-mortar counterparts. There is a model of Independent Study Programs in California that has become established as the model for change in traditional education. These “ISP” schools allow parents to fully collaborate with the school to choose curriculum, design a learning plan, provide as much instruction as the parents feel capable of providing, and still provide the safety net of academically prepared faculty to support the student and families needs.

One of the most popular types of school-at-home programs are private schools that bring the best of online learning technology and provide highly individualized learning opportunities for students in their home environment. One of the most popular private school programs that falls in this category is International Virtual Learning Academy (IVLA). This school provides a standards based online curriculum that is very popular throughout the U.S. and internationally.

IVLA is a private, accredited, California school that serves students world-wide. This unique school has open enrollment, meaning that students can start at any time of the year. IVLA provides a highly qualified teacher for every course, and awards an accredited high school diploma to eligible students. IVLA also serves adult learners who want to return to school to complete their high school diploma rather than obtaining a GED. IVLA provides a complete academic assessment of every student prior to enrolling in their first course, which includes a road-map to graduation that his individualized to that student’s needs.

In addition to the innovative schools like IVLA mentioned above, there are some very large educational conglomerates that see dollar signs in education and have very aggressive marketing campaigns to draw students away from traditional schools. Some of the big conglomerates that have entered the school-at-home market in the last few years include: K-12 Inc., a public traded company, Connections Academy, Insight Schools (owned by the same company that owns University of Phoenix) and several others. While the definitive research is not out yet, early research reports indicate that their students fair no better than, and in some cases worse then students in traditional brick-and-mortar schools. There are some questions about their advertising as well. When a school says they are an “accredited homeschool program” red-flags should go off in homeschoolers minds.

As in all new technology and service delivery, families should fully investigate their options. Company’s like Global Student Network and International Virtual Learning Academy have earned a sound reputation in the homeschool and school-at-home communities for their customer service, responsiveness, and low-cost educational alternatives.

Students wanting to accelerate their high school education, or make up credits they are lacking can now do so without sacrificing their summer vacation thanks to online summer school. International Virtual Learning Academy (IVLA), an accredited private school, offers 95+ for grades 3-12. Courses can be taken from virtually anywhere there’s an Internet connection.

“IVLA serves students throughout the world. Students can enroll part time and take a few classes, or full time, and complete their entire high school education on-line,” said Don Posson, IVLA’s superintendent. “Many students are enrolling in online summer school to take courses not offered by their brick-and-mortar schools, or to replace a low or failed grade.” With virtual summer school students can earn credits without derailing their summer plans. IVLA offers a high-quality, convenient option to students in need.”

Certified teachers give students one-on-one attention, communicate with them the school’s online learning environment, and use video, audio and animation to provide an engaging learning environment.

More and more K-12 students are turning to online courses as a flexible way to take rigorous course work at a time and location that works best for them. The number of elementary and secondary students taking online courses increased tenfold between 2001 and 2007, from about 200,000 to almost two million, according to the Sloan Consortium, which researches online education.

International Virtual Learning Academy uses the world renown Global Student Network Online Curriculum, and is accredited by the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools.

For more information or to enroll, visit www.internationalvla.com

About International Virtual Learning Academy

International Virtual Learning Academy (IVLA) is a leading provider of online 3-12 education, offers flexible, individualized and high-quality curriculum and instruction to promote student success. IVLA is a private accredited school that provides highly individualized education for elementary, middle, and high school students. IVLA’s student body is diverse, serving accelerated learners wanting to graduate early, adults seeking high school diplomas, homeschooled students, and at-risk teenagers who require an alternative to traditional high school. IVLA is accredited by the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools. For more information, visit www.internationalvla.com

With the help of the Internet, getting a high school diploma is easier than ever. In fact, many individuals are completing or returning to their high school studies while continuing to work. This is largely because the cost of tuition at some online high schools make completing your diploma affordable, practical, convenient, and simple.

Today, for example, International Virtual Learning Academy can assist any high schooler or adult returning to complete their diploma in working towards and obtaining an accredited high school diploma - not a GED or other equivalance. It’s easy to see that obtaining a high school diploma is the first step to qualifying to work in just about any industry. International Virtual Learning Academy’s online high school diploma program is an ideal option for many students whose life’s circumstances make it difficult or impossible to attend a traditional brick-and-mortar campus.

Online diplomas are common and accepted by most employers. Due to the stringent criteria associated with accredited online diploma programs, the value of the degree is substantial. So whether you are getting your diploma by sitting in a classroom or online, the demonstrated knowledge required to earn your diploma does not change. This is why online education is seen as being on equal par with many traditional school diplomas.

Getting an online diploma is very common today. In fact, even graduates from traditional high schools throughout the country have taken some online courses or completed assignments via the Internet. International Virtual Learning Academy and other online institutions graduate large numbers of student each and every year. This is due to online learning’s appeal to the student who needs to work and can’t focus on education full time. Online learning is here to stay.

Online learning has many positive attributes. Virtually anyone can learn online thanks to a variety of programs, scheduling options, and more. No longer does getting your degree require you to stop working and focus on education along. While taking online programs however, you do need to spend considerable time learning your material and doing the necessary learning assignments. No one ever said learning online was easy.

Never the less, you can get your high school diploma without setting foot in a classroom. When evaluating programs, make sure you understand the on-campus requirements if any exist. With a high school diploma, you can become much more competitive in the work force and open doors that may previously been close based on your lack of a diploma. Online programs are geared towards getting students ready for the workforce. This certainly increases the value of your diploma.

Online education is well regarded and can truly improve your knowledge and skills in virtually any area. If you want to continue working and attend school part-time, online learning is the best option available. Give it significant consideration if you wish to grow and succeed.

For more information about the school listed in this article, go to: International Virtual Learning Academy

More high school dropouts are heading back to class because of poor prospects in a bad economy.

It’s tough to find a job right now even for people with college degrees, but what if you don’t even have a high school diploma?

But, now virtually anything is possible, even for dropouts.

An online program called International Virtual Learning Academy is trying to help them succeed online.

One 18 year-old student doesn’t want to miss a moment with her 9-month-old son. Last year, she was faced with a tough decision - dropout of high school or stay home with her son. But, with a click of a mouse, she goes to class in her kitchen where she’s learning “virtually” anything is possible - even getting her high school diploma with a 9-month-old son.

International Virtual Learning Academy (IVLA) is an accredited private school that serves students in grades 3-12 throughout the world. Recently, many non-traditional students who previously dropped out of school are returning to school in order to get the academic tools they need to be successful.

At IVLA, students are provided the guidance and courses they need to earn either a standard high school diploma, or a more advanced diploma suitable for college preparation. Although based in California, and awarding a diploma from that state, geography is no barrier. Currently, IVLA is serving students throughout the world, at many grade levels.

The virtual high school’s director says this computer aged school has been successful in drawing students back to school who have either dropped out, or were thinking of dropping out.

“You have to turn on the computer, you have to log-in, you have to do your school work,” said Lauri Bloom, the director of IVLA. “Our curriculum is just delivered online instead of a classroom,”

For more information go to:

http://www.internationalvla.com