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Why Choose an Approved Kansas Virtual School or Program?

• Audited and approved annually by KSDE
• Sponsored by a local school district
• Instruction by Kansas licensed and certified teachers
• Receives state funding for students enrolled and attending during the count window
• Curriculum that meets or exceeds state academic standards
• Serves students in grades K-12 and adults
• Credits transfer to other public school districts
• Awards an accredited high school diploma
• Full- and part-time options available

Per Kansas Statute 72-3712, a virtual school or program is:

• offered for credit;

• uses distance learning technologies which predominately use internet-based methods to deliver instruction;

• involves instruction that occurs asynchronously with the teacher and pupil in separate locations;

• requires the pupil to make academic progress toward the next grade level and matriculation from kindergarten through high school graduation;

• requires the pupil to demonstrate competence in subject matter for each class or subject in which the pupil is enrolled as part of the virtual school; and

• requires age-appropriate pupils to complete state assessment tests. 

Need Help Selecting the Right Virtual School or Program?

If you are interested in enrolling in a virtual school or program, you are encouraged to first contact your resident school district to see if one is offered. If there are no options within your district, or you wish to explore options outside of your district, you should search the Virtual School and Program Directory to find a school or program that best fits your needs. While distance is not an issue because it is virtual, you should take into consideration required proctoring for state assessments and final exams, field trip and enrichment opportunities, and onsite tutoring and support services when selecting a virtual school or program.

Important to note:

• The only difference between a school and a program is how they report data to the state. The expectations and requirements are exactly the same!
• Use the list to identify the schools and programs that accept out-of-district students, serve the grade level you need and provide the services you want.
• Speak with the contact person of the virtual school or program to verify that new students are being accepted and to find out how to enroll.
• Some resident districts may continue to offer students access to extracurricular activities such as sports and clubs, even if the student has transferred to another district for virtual schooling. You should ask your resident district about their policy.
• If you have issues with the virtual school or program, the school district that sponsors it can help to resolve issues. Contact the district office to get help.

Resources

• FAQ on Students with Disabilities and Virtual Schools & Programs (Updated 6-2021)
  • Webinar on Nondiscriminatory Enrollment Criteria for Virtual Schools (NEW in 2021)
• A Parent's Guide to Choosing the Right Online Program
• Policy on Eligibility for Students Attending KSDE Accredited Virtual Schools
• Sorting through Online Learning Options- A Guide for Parents
• The International Association for K-12 Online Learning