California Online High Schools

This August a few hundred students in the Elk Grove Unified School District will have their school year delivered to their doorstep in a giant UPS box.

The K-12 students will be part of the district’s first-ever virtual school.

The box will contain grade-specific supplies – books, globes, maps – that students will need to finish a year of school from home.

Virtual schooling is gaining traction among California school districts looking for ways to increase revenue and decrease spending.

The cyber school could help the district bring back students who have left to attend charter or private schools, and could draw students from other districts, said Anne Zeman, director of curriculum and professional learning for the district. And with those additional students will come additional state funding.

Elk Grove will pay K12, the company that provides the instruction plans and materials, 85 to 90 percent of the $5,219 the district receives from the state for each student, Zeman said.

She said the district may not make any money on the endeavor, but she’s certain it won’t cost any more than it brings in. “We can’t afford to embark on a program that is a new expense,” she said.

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http://www.sacbee.com/2010/02/24/2560205/elk-grove-unified-to-open-a-virtual.html

California Virtual Academy

Insight School of California

Insight School of California

Kaplan Academy California

Kaplan Academy California

Laurel Springs, an accredited private school, delivers personalized K-12 distance-learning programs with a commitment to academic and creative excellence.

For those who follow online high schools, it is best-known as the school for students with big dreams. Yes, it has regular students, but it has more than its share of child actors, dancers, athletes, and more. It has carved out a solid niche for itself.

Best Online High Schools link: Laurel Springs School

Address: 302 W. El Paseo Road, Ojai, CA 93023

Accredited: Western Association of Schools and Colleges

Snippet from listing: They boast students in 26 countries and all 50 states, including many who are gifted and talented, have disabilities or are homebound, are at risk or have special needs, and those needing to make up classes or simply get ahead.

Something to consider: Laurel Springs School has a long history of providing online education in a personalized manner to a wide variety of students. Watchers may notice that the school has an increased emphasis on college preparation. It has graduates in top colleges around the country. Worth a look.

For more information, go to Laurel Springs School.