MAUMEE, Ohio—Students and teachers at Ohio Virtual Academy (OHVA), an online public community school, began the 2017-18 school year on Monday. A full-time, tuition-free school for students statewide in grades K-12, OHVA offers a rigorous and engaging curriculum in a supportive school community. New at OHVA this year, students can explore future information technology career opportunities directly through course work in Career Technical Education (CTE).

Students interested in getting a jump on their careers following high school can take profession-focused courses to gain a competitive edge, through OHVA’s new Destinations program. Destinations introduces students to information technology technical and specialty trade skills through CTE courses. Students can choose to go on to take examinations for industry-recognized credentials.

According to a national survey released by K12 Inc. and Edge Research earlier this year, almost 95 percent of Americans agree that high school students should have more opportunities to learn practical, real-world skills. Importantly, 56 percent of parents said two years of work experience is more valuable than a four-year liberal arts degree!

“Our students come from every corner of our state, and every kind of community,” says Head of School Kris Stewart. “Thanks to online learning and a dedicated staff, we’re able to provide each student with an educational experience that supports their unique goals, whether it’s career or college preparation.”

OHVA students tackle a full course load in the core subjects of math, science, language arts, history, art, music and physical education, as well as electives, honors and Advanced Placement ® courses in high school. Students with a desire to progress at an advanced pace can dual enroll in both OHVA and local colleges and universities, earning college credits along with their high school diploma. Through Ohio’s College Credit Plus program, the higher education courses are offered tuition-free to eligible students.

At OHVA, Ohio-licensed teachers facilitate live, interactive online classes, and communicate one-on-one with students via phone and email. OHVA provides families from across the state with an innovative education option, and with personalized learning plans to meet the needs of every student.

Outside of class time, students can further enrich their educational experiences through field trips, clubs and community gatherings. OHVA students meet online and in-person around shared interests such as sports, culture, and performance, and join renowned organizations such as National Honors Society and Girl Scouts.

To learn more about enrollment and to find an upcoming online or in-person information session, visit http://ohva.k12.com/how-enroll.html