Arkansas Virtual Academy senior Samiyyah Burkhalter has been named a BigFuture Ambassador for the Spring 2026 cohort, joining 5,800 students nationwide. As an ambassador, she will support peers with post-graduation planning using BigFuture.org’s free college and career resources. ARVA leaders praised her national recognition and leadership. Arkansas Virtual Academy is a tuition-free, full-time online public school serving K–12 students statewide.
A parent shares how enrolling his son in Alabama Virtual Academy in 2019 transformed his educational experience after struggles in a traditional school setting due to social separation anxiety. He credits ALVA with giving his son a path forward, helping him grow in confidence, plan for dual enrollment, and build a more positive outlook on his future.
Ohio Virtual Academy is proactively shaping how AI is used in online learning through a teacher-led AI committee formed in fall 2025. As Ohio’s July 1 AI policy deadline approaches, staff are addressing plagiarism concerns by designing more “AI-resistant” assignments and practical, project-based work. Teachers are also testing AI as a classroom support tool, including custom chatbots for guided notes, lesson planning, and real-world simulations like business loan reviews.
Evan Pratt, a student at Arkansas Virtual Academy, launched Braille Bites to create braille menus for restaurants, helping blind and low-vision customers order more independently. Inspired by his own experience with vision loss, his project has already placed braille menus in 53 restaurants across Arkansas, with more on the way.