Online academy more than meets my daughter's needs

Courtesy photo
Rochelle Begay her daughter, Lyla, at work  on an art project.

Courtesy photo Rochelle Begay her daughter, Lyla, at work on an art project.

As a mother, one of my first goals is to secure the best possible education for my daughter. Of course, that's an idea that parents everywhere can relate to. But it's something easier said than done here on the Navajo Nation. We are in a rural area, far from town and far from good schools. It is somewhat of an understatement to say that educational opportunities are limited.

But it doesn't mean that educational opportunities are non-existent. I found one for my daughter in the Arizona Virtual Academy, generally referred to simply as AZVA. Not a lot of people have heard of AZVA, mainly because it is relatively new. But it is growing and destined to grow faster as more parents find out about what it can do for their children.

The AZVA is a public school program (and thus tuition-free for residents of Arizona) that presently serves more than 1,500 Arizona students in kindergarten through ninth grade. The Academy offers families an innovative public education option that includes a rigorous and comprehensive curriculum in six traditional subjects.

Most of the educational work takes place at home under the supervision of a parent--but with much additional support. That support consists of instruction and guidance from a state certified teacher, tons of community activities and complete curriculum, including textbooks and materials as well as a variety of other educational tools.

Students who enroll in AZVA also receive a computer, monitor, printer, access to the K12 Online School, lessons, assessments, and a 90-pound box of traditional materials like books, chemistry sets, art materials and much more.

I have one school-age child: a daughter who is 9 years old and in the fourth grade this year. This is her second year at AZVA. She was in the local public elementary school from preschool to the second grade, but I decided to take her out of the local public elementary school, because it had been rated "Failing" by the State Board of Education.

The changes I've seen in my daughter since moving her to the Academy have been amazing. She is able to finish assignments, because she has the time to think about them and put down her best answers, as opposed to being rushed. In math, the online lessons have taught her to think quickly and solve problems mentally.

We have a good relationship with our teacher. We have phone conferences with her regularly. Plus, I can always e-mail her with any questions or comments, and she gets back to me quickly. She also is an inspiration to my daughter who enjoys hearing the teacher's regular and consistent feedback about her school work.

My favorite thing about the academy is the high quality of the curriculum. Each subject is rich with interesting content that is perfectly geared to my daughter's age and maturity level. I was also most surprised--and pleased--by how well AZVA prepares the parent, and how user-friendly the whole system is, so that I don't have to spend a lot of time before school preparing myself for the education day. I spend about three full hours a day overseeing my child's lessons and work.

Our typical day with AZ Virtual Academy starts about 9:30-10 a.m. and ends between 3 and 4 p.m. Just like "regular" school, we take a lunch break and other short breaks if my daughter needs one. We try to fit in at least five subjects per day. My daughter is not tied to her work desk, either. Sometimes, she likes to do lessons on the carpet, some on the kitchen table and some outside when it is warm. I'd say about 45 percent of her lessons are online, which is fine for her, as she really enjoys online learning.

Along with the AZVA curriculum, I have my daughter work on the Navajo language every day and various lessons on Navajo culture. The world is so rich with learning possibilities, I want to expose her to as much as possible, and the AZVA program helps me do that.

I am extremely satisfied with the quality of education through AZVA. Other parents who share the goal of a top-notch education for their children should consider AZVA. Check it out for yourself. You have nothing to lose and your child has potentially much to gain.

(Rochelle Begay is the parent of a fourth grader at the Arizona Virtual Academy. She lives on the Navajo Nation in Pinon. For more information on the Arizona Virtual Academy, parents can call 520-623-1483 or visit www.azva.org.)

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