A growing number of Cherokee County children are attending classes online through a virtual school.

Eighty-two Cherokee County School District students are enrolled in the Georgia Virtual Academy, said Matt Arkin, head of its school.

Close to 2,600 students are enrolled statewide, Arkin said, noting he had not expected enrollment to climb to "that many students."

"It shows that there's a hunger in Georgia for a program like this," he said, adding the school only estimated between 500 and 1,000 students would sign up.

The Georgia Virtual Academy, which is not affiliated with the Georgia Virtual School, is an online public school program of the Odyssey School. The Newnan-based school became the first state-approved charter school in Georgia in 2001.

The Georgia Board of Education approved the school in July and, because the school is public and government-funded, there are no additional tuition costs.

The school accepts students in kindergarten through the eighth grade from all backgrounds. Instructional materials and textbooks are supplied by the school.

To attend the school, students are required to have a computer and a "responsible adult," who is willing to guide the student through his or her lessons, Arkin said.

Students "attend" online class sessions with their teachers, and also have regular contact with their teachers either through e-mails, phone calls or physical meetings.

All teachers are state-certified and must abide by the same regulations and standards set by the state. There are 48 full-time teachers in the state, with three from Cherokee.

As with any public school, students in the academy must take the same standard tests given to traditional public school students.

The academy's curriculum is mastery-based and provides an "individualized program" and flexibility for students, Arkin said.

It offers classes in language arts, math, science, history and physical education and health.

The academy, Arkin said, gives students a personalized, one-on-one education that's not like a traditional classroom setting.

"It's for students who are gifted, special needs, have behavioral issues, medical and physical differences," he said. "All students really have a good opportunity for education."

Carol Varn of Woodstock said the program has changed learning for her family. She enrolled her son Joel in September.

"It's progressive and innovative," she said. "It meets the needs of all students that a traditional brick and mortar school can't."

She credits the program for improving her son's studies.

"He's definitely more challenged," she said. 'I can see it in his history and vocabulary."

Joel, 11, said he likes being able to adjust his schedule as he sees fit. He also prefers the learning environment of the online school.

"I'm able to learn more," he said.

Doreen Likness of Towne Lake said she enrolled her daughter, Lizzie, in the academy in September.

She said the deciding factor was the flexibility the academy allows its gifted students.

"It allows them to move ahead if they master their current grade level," she said.

Lizzie, 8, said she likes the academy because she's able to set her own schedule.

"If I do extra work during the week, I can take Friday off," she said. "I can also work on the weekends if I'm bored."

Since enrolling her daughter in the academy, Mrs. Likness said she wouldn't consider placing Lizzie back in traditional public schools.

"The schools are understaffed, and the schools are overcrowded," she said. "Traditional brick-and-mortar schools are not an option for our daughter."

Michelle Shurtz of Canton, who enrolled her two sons in the program in September, said it allows them to work on their strengths and concentrate on their weaknesses.

Michael, 10, is taking fifth-grade classes and Kyle, 7, is taking a mixture of kindergarten and first-grade classes.

Along with improved grades and flexibility, Mrs. Shurtz said the program has encouraged her sons to further explore subjects that most interest them.

"The lessons don't stop once school is over," she said. "They aren't afraid to ask questions and it teaches them to find the answers."

Mrs. Varn, whose daughter Jeni, 9, attends private school, said it's important for parents to find what best fits their children.

Her family, she said, "has tapped into a different environment for each of their children."

"Every kid is different," she said. "Every kid won't fit into the same box."

kdixon@cherokeetribune.com

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