Posted at: 08/23/2012 5:34 PM
Updated at: 08/23/2012 6:26 PM
By: Brianna Long
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Email to a FriendWhy Some Families Chose Online School
(ABC 6 NEWS) -- The new school year is just around the corner, and for some students, that doesn't even mean leaving their living room.
Will Krageschmidt is about to be a senior in high school, but he has a medical condition, making it difficult to attend a normal high school.
"I've always really enjoyed going to school and learning about a variety of subjects but it becomes difficult when you're falling asleep and you can't stay focused," he said.
Will has narcolepsy, so to finish up his high school career; he's going to school online through Minnesota Virtual Academy.
"It's just doing elementary, middle, and high school work in a different venue. Instead of going to a school, they're doing it from home. But they're still working with lessons, teachers, they're still meeting with them and going through the curriculum and getting the support. We're just using technology to deliver the instruction," said Justin Treptow, the head of school for the academy. The Minnesota Virtual Academy is based out of the Houston School District in southeast Minnesota. Treptow says parents choose online school for a variety of reasons, including bullying and medical reasons.
"Some parents make a family decision, they don't like the school culture or climate. So they come to online, where the outside distractions aren't there. It's about the academics, and so we do that as well," said Treptow.
Treptow says there are about 1800 students currently attending Minnesota Virtual Academy, and for the coming school year, he is hoping for around 2500; a nearly 40 percent increase.
While online school may not be a fit for everyone; for students like Will; it seems to be just what he needed.
"I like the flexibility of it," said Krageschmidt.
Officials from the Minnesota Virtual Academy say they are funded through the state, like any other public school, and there is no cost to attend.
