|
|
|
The IQ Academy Kansas is not your average school. It doesn’t meet in a physical space, it meets in cyberspace. It doesn’t have sports or lunches or even lockers, really. But it does have clubs and graduation and even progress reports.
IQ Academy is an accredited online school throughout the state of Kansas that offers more than 120 classes for interested students in grades 7-12. The courses are tuition free and provide a flexible schedule and pace, as well as the free use of a laptop for full-time students.
“Some kids don’t do as well in brick-and-mortar schools,” said Lu Ann Reece, administrative assistant. “Some kids are athletes who have practices or games during certain parts of the week. With our program, they can work on their sport during the day and then take their classes at night.”
There are currently 250 full-time students working through the school system, not to mention numerous part-time students. Reece said that 17 students have emerged through IQ Academy with diplomas. IQ Academy is a partner of USD 383 Manhattan-Ogden schools, which means graduates get a diploma from Manhattan.
The strength of the program, officials said, is the variety of classes, schedules and options for IQ Academy students.
“We’re getting ready to start our third year, and we continue to grow,” said Cassie Gilmore, student outreach coordinator. “Many students are part-time, as well as some full-time students. Some students take some classes with us that they couldn’t find at a brick-and-mortar school. We have classes from Japanese to computer gaming, and the list continues to expand.”
Classes are taken online through Blackboard and a program called Elluminate. Most classes have a live session with their teacher at least once a week that allows students to interact with their teacher and other students through instant messaging and headsets. The programs allow students to give presentations and PowerPoints. It also allows students to go back and re-watch tricky subjects, including pig dissection and math concepts.
One of the things many parents worry about for their students in the program is about social interaction. Not to worry, said Gilmore. She said programs and get-togethers have been planned, including water park trips, Kansas City T-Bones games and other social activities.
For an accredited school in a different setting, the program also offers something to its teachers.
“The teachers have said they really feel like they get to know the students better in this setting than they used to in the brick-and-mortar schools,” Gilmore said. “They say that’s what keeps them involved.”
Andrew Nash can be reached at andrew.nash@morningsun.net or by calling 231-2600 ext. 132.
The IQ Academy Kansas is not your average school. It doesn’t meet in a physical space, it meets in cyberspace. It doesn’t have sports or lunches or even lockers, really. But it does have clubs and graduation and even progress reports.
IQ Academy is an accredited online school throughout the state of Kansas that offers more than 120 classes for interested students in grades 7-12. The courses are tuition free and provide a flexible schedule and pace, as well as the free use of a laptop for full-time students.
“Some kids don’t do as well in brick-and-mortar schools,” said Lu Ann Reece, administrative assistant. “Some kids are athletes who have practices or games during certain parts of the week. With our program, they can work on their sport during the day and then take their classes at night.”
There are currently 250 full-time students working through the school system, not to mention numerous part-time students. Reece said that 17 students have emerged through IQ Academy with diplomas. IQ Academy is a partner of USD 383 Manhattan-Ogden schools, which means graduates get a diploma from Manhattan.
The strength of the program, officials said, is the variety of classes, schedules and options for IQ Academy students.
“We’re getting ready to start our third year, and we continue to grow,” said Cassie Gilmore, student outreach coordinator. “Many students are part-time, as well as some full-time students. Some students take some classes with us that they couldn’t find at a brick-and-mortar school. We have classes from Japanese to computer gaming, and the list continues to expand.”
Classes are taken online through Blackboard and a program called Elluminate. Most classes have a live session with their teacher at least once a week that allows students to interact with their teacher and other students through instant messaging and headsets. The programs allow students to give presentations and PowerPoints. It also allows students to go back and re-watch tricky subjects, including pig dissection and math concepts.
One of the things many parents worry about for their students in the program is about social interaction. Not to worry, said Gilmore. She said programs and get-togethers have been planned, including water park trips, Kansas City T-Bones games and other social activities.
For an accredited school in a different setting, the program also offers something to its teachers.
“The teachers have said they really feel like they get to know the students better in this setting than they used to in the brick-and-mortar schools,” Gilmore said. “They say that’s what keeps them involved.”
Andrew Nash can be reached at andrew.nash@morningsun.net or by calling 231-2600 ext. 132.
