iQ Academy Kansas is part of the iQ Academy chain of online high schools. iQ Academies put a strong emphasis on student support and have an extensive system that includes teachers, counselors, advisors, and more.
Snippet from listing: Media-rich, standards-based curriculum supported by weekly online instruction from Kansas-certified teachers keeps you on the path to success. Individual support from teachers, academic advisors, and a learning coach mean there is no limit to what you can learn. Clubs, local events, and a members-only online social network help you make friends.
Something to consider: iQ Academy Kansas is part of a growing chain. While already good, there is something to be said for the quality that can be achieved as it continues to grow.
Today’s Focus School is iQ Academy California. It is part of the growing chain of iQ Academy schools.
Snippet from listing: iQ Academy is dedicated to the education of the whole student, and recognizes the importance of incorporating opportunities for social engagement, community service, a full developmental guidance strategy and career and college planning in addition to the highest quality, standards-based online courses and certified instruction for students at all levels of achievement.
Today’s Focus School is iQ Academy Arizona. It is part of the growing iQ Academy chain of schools.
Snippet from listing: At iQ Academy, our priority is to deliver a high-quality, personalized education that prepares students for life beyond high school. We accomplish this by offering a complete learning package which includes standards-based curriculum, an innovative virtual learning environment and an extensive support system involving teachers, counselors, learning coaches and staff who are personally committed to helping students realize their greatest potential.
Snippet from listing: Media-rich, standards-based curriculum supported by weekly online instruction from Nevada-certified teachers keeps you on the path to success. Individual support from teachers, academic advisors, and a learning coach mean there is no limit to what you can learn. Clubs, local events, and a members-only online social network help you make friends.
Snippet from listing: All of our classes begin monthly, are self paced and monitored by one of our licensed teachers. Students study in a relaxed environment at times that suit their busy lifestyles. Our students are able to travel, live abroad, dedicate extra time to pursue their talents while staying on track to receive their high school diploma. Students can also take courses to supplement their current middle or high school program to fast track graduation. In addition, we offer test prep courses SAT, ACT, CaHSEE and Algebra Readiness. Whether full or part time, our academic advisors guide students to a program that is right for them.
Snippet from listing: Media-rich, standards-based curriculum supported by weekly online instruction from Nevada-certified teachers keeps you on the path to success. Individual support from teachers, academic advisors, and a learning coach mean there is no limit to what you can learn. Clubs, local events, and a members-only online social network help you make friends.
Best Online High Schools was given the opportunity to interview Dr. Joseph Gallegos, CEO/Founder of Orion High School, upon learning that they had become regionally accredited this week. The following is an excerpt:
BOHS: Why did you decide to seek accreditation?
JG: We decided to seek accreditation for a couple of reasons: 1. We wanted to be sure that our customers saw us and their school as committed to continuous improvement; and 2. We wanted the recognition that accreditation brings – recognition for our online school as a quality educational institution; recognition for our learners as they graduate from an accredited/recognized school; and for our mentor teachers, who deserve to work in an environment that is committed to high quality.
BOHS: Please describe the process.
JG: The process began over two years ago when we opened our doors. We sought out many options for recognized accreditation, and we settled with (at the time) CITA. We felt that being a school without boundaries, we would need to have a recognized accreditation that would be recognized world-wide. The process began with our intent; we were a dues-paying school for about 8 months. We received an onsite visit in 2008, and were approved as a “Candidate” school. The Candidacy Period allocates time for the school to conduct an intense self-study around the seven standards for accreditation. We began that study immediately. During the candidacy period, we recognized that the standards were a very traditional set of standards – that is, they were set up for a brick-and-mortar setting. We went on with the self-study, and we had some very serious internal talk about how we could apply all of the standards to our virtual school setting. We were finally notified in November of 2009 that we would received an onsite Quality Assurance Review visit. In the meantime, during our Candidacy, CITA was absorbed into the new organization called Advanc-ED. We learned that Advanc-ED would be the parent organization for SACS/CASI, but that the state office would not handle a visit to a distance learning institution. The visit was organized by the National Office. Three visitors came to our headquarters in Midland, Texas, where they spent three days with us going over our self-study and proof of adherence to the standards.
The visitors learned that there is a significant difference between traditional “distance education” and virtual schooling. They learned that they could indeed “visit” classrooms, and were able to see high quality mentoring and learning going on right before their eyes, in a virtual environment. They commented that the uniqueness of Orion is in our 1-to-1 mentoring – that our mentors are true mentors. They learned that high quality support for teacher-mentors can happen in an online environment just like in a face-to-face environment. Most importantly they heard from our learners that they (our learners) felt supported, and that they learned more about learning than any time before. One learner commented, “I have taken Advanced Placement courses at my regular high school – my regular English course at Orion is by far more rigorous that my AP course was.”
BOHS:What value do you think this gives your current and potential students?
JG: I think that the value is that Orion cares about quality; about being unique; and about furthering the process of providing a high quality, viable alternative to schooling.
BOHS: Anything else you would like to share?
JG: We will be sharing our experiences with other distance learning providers, at the AdvancED conference. We would be glad to share our insights with anybody seeking regional accreditation.
We would recommend the process for any online school.
Snippet from listing: All of our classes begin monthly, are self paced and monitored by one of our licensed teachers. Students study in a relaxed environment at times that suit their busy lifestyles. Our students are able to travel, live abroad, dedicate extra time to pursue their talents while staying on track to receive their high school diploma. Students can also take courses to supplement their current middle or high school program to fast track graduation. In addition, we offer test prep courses SAT, ACT, CaHSEE and Algebra Readiness. Whether full or part time, our academic advisors guide students to a program that is right for them.
Orion High Schoolof Midland, Texas was notified today that it has received accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement.
From the announcement:Dr. Mark Elgart, President/CEO of AdvancED, the parent organization of SACS CASI, stated, “SACS CASI Accreditation is a rigorous process that focuses the entire school on the primary goal of creating lifelong learners. Orion High School is to be commended for engaging in this process and demonstrating a commitment to continuous improvement.”
