West Virginia Virtual Academy celebrated its first-ever graduating class with over 80 students at a ceremony in Charleston. Students like Skylar Chinn praised the flexibility of virtual learning, balancing school with work. Parents, initially uncertain, found it a great fit for their kids. Since launching in 2022, the school has grown from 400 to 2,000 students. Leaders credit the dedicated teachers and personalized approach, while students highlight the surprising social benefits and strong sense of community.
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Esports Is Preparation for Leadership, Confidence, Success
At Oklahoma Virtual Charter Academy, an esports program uses competitive gaming like League of Legends and Rocket League to build teamwork, leadership, and communication skills. Students balance academics with structured team play similar to traditional sports. The program has helped students grow in confidence and engagement, including quieter students who became leaders. Supporters say esports develops real-world skills and can lead to careers in gaming, technology, and related fields.
Anderson Mother-Daughter Duo’s New Book Aims To Help Children With Anxiety
Nikki Snow, a teacher at Indiana Gateway Digital Academy, co-authored a new book with her daughter Savannah, a sophomore at the same school, called “Finley the Fox and Her Fluttery Feelings.” The children’s book explores anxiety and mental health through storytelling. The pair said the school’s flexible online model helped them collaborate on the project. The story follows a fox learning to manage anxiety with support from friends, aiming to help children better understand and talk about emotions.
Centreville Scout on Track for Eagle Scout Rank at Just 14 Years Old
At 14, Leelan Gold of Centreville, a student at Highpoint Virtual Academy of Michigan, is close to becoming an Eagle Scout—an achievement only about 4% reach. He has earned 52 merit badges in three years and only needs to complete his Eagle Project, building about 100 birdhouses honoring veterans. Motivated by service and supported by flexible virtual schooling, he also pursues cybersecurity and programming and hopes to inspire others facing medical challenges.