The Arizona Virtual Academy opened their virtual doors as an alternative charter school for students in kindergarten through 12th grades that cannot attend for whatever reason a regular public school. Many of the students are those that are at risk to dropping out of school, are high-risk students, migrant workers, and others.

The curriculum is the same, as you would find in any public school with a few extra benefits that many virtual schools do not offer including languages such as German, French, Italian, Latin, Japanese, mandarin, Spanish, and Russian. Extra curricular activities include computer arts, orchestra, video production, sculpture, painting, and theater. The virtual school even offers sports such as basketball, baseball, football, martial arts, soccer, softball, track, tennis, and volleyball. Special programs include academic contests, debate, community service, newspaper, student council, science & technology, yearbook, and radio-video-multimedia.

Parents are pleased with the way in which their children are doing much better in this type of school. They noticed a huge change when enrolling their child in the virtual school that holds classes just like an ordinary school only that the classroom is online. Some parents did state that a few classes were a bit boring, but that the overall curriculum is great.

Students do have a few issues with social activities. Students do not really get to know classmates unless they make an effort to join an extra curricular activity or sports program.

Arizona requires the AIMS exam to be given to students to ensure they are meeting the requirements set forth by the state. The test is used to measure the level of students mastering the core subjects. Students at Arizona Virtual Academy took part in the exam recently. The percentages are of students that passed or exceeded the exam along with how students across the state performed taking the exam.

In reading, 73% with the state average at 76%, in writing 47% with the state at 79%, and in math 56% with the state average at 64%. 76% of 4th graders passed the reading portion of the exam with the state average at 75%, in science 62% with the state at 60%, in writing 62% with the state average at 83%, and in math 53% passed with the state average at 65%. In reading, 77% 5th graders passed with the state average at 79%, in writing 44% with the state average being 55%, and in math 46% with the state average at 63%. In reading, 79% of 6th graders passed with the state average at 81%, in writing 44% with the state average at 56%, and in math 38% with the state average 59%. In reading 7th graders scored 82% with the state average being 82%, in writing 38% with the state average at 53%, and in math 47% with the state average at 61%. In reading, 68% of 8th graders passed with the state average at 71%, in science 56% with the state average at 63%, in writing 71% with the state average being 86%, and in math 35% with the state average at 54%. 81% of 10th graders passed the reading portion of the exam with the state average at 78%, in science 43% with the state at 42%, in writing 66% with the state being 70%, and in math 41% with the state at 60%.

Arizona Virtual Academy
4595 S. Palo Verde Rd., Suite 517
Tucson, AZ 85714
520-623-1483
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