SARASOTA - Open enrollment for Sarasota Virtual School (SVS) has begun for the 2010-2011 academic year. SVS is a district public school which provides a full-time online learning option for students in grades K-12. At the current time, a student must have been enrolled full-time in a Florida public school (traditional, charter or alternative) in the previous year to be eligible for enrollment in SVS. The district currently has over 80 students enrolled in the school during 2009-2010, the first year the option has been available.
School districts are now required by the Florida Department of Education to offer a virtual-school online learning option for students in grades K-12. In accordance with this state requirement, Sarasota Virtual School is an interactive learning environment created through technology, in which the student and teacher are separated by time, space or both. The school meets all Florida public school standards and requirements. Students completing graduation requirements will be awarded a high school diploma from SVS.
The Sarasota County School District contracts with outside vendors approved by the School Board. A company known as K12 provides the district with online learning services for students in grades K-8; Florida Virtual School serves students in grades 9-12.
The school uses a state-approved curriculum with instructional materials that include a computer, Internet access and printed materials. Computers and Internet access may be provided at no charge to eligible students who meet family income requirements. Instructors are highly qualified and/or certified teachers, as defined by the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) law.
Eligible students for the 2010-2011 school year are those who are in grades K-12 and were enrolled in a Florida public school (traditional, charter or alternative) since Oct. 1, 2009. According to current Florida Statute, students who were home-schooled during the 2009-2010 school year are not eligible.
Sarasota Virtual School is graded, just as all schools in Florida receive a grade each year. Teachers monitor student progress and give assignments online and through physical materials shipped to and from students. Students, parents and teachers communicate via e-mail and telephone. Student attendance is monitored, based on online activity. Textbooks and traditional instructional materials are used, but much of the content is delivered via the providers’ Web sites, www.k12.com/flvp (grades K-8) and www.flvs.net (grades 9-12).
The Sarasota Virtual School office can be reached at 941-927-9000, ext. 32262, or via e-mail at SVS@sarasota.k12.fl.us.