Photo by Andrew Oss
Apex Learning is honored to host the 2014 Award of Excellence recipients in our Seattle headquarters this week! Each school or district selected as a recipient of the award, announced this past school year, were recognized for their extraordinary vision and ongoing commitment to increasing student achievement through blended and virtual learning.
The recipients are joining us to cap off this year's series of Blended Learning Conferences taking place today at the W Hotel. Representatives from each organization will be presenting on their successful programs during breakout sessions. Read on to learn more about the innovative 2014 recipients.
2014 Award of Excellence Recipients
Catoosa Online Academy, Catoosa County Public Schools, Georgia
Opened in the fall of 2013 as an extension of the four high schools, the Catoosa Online Academy (COA) offers students a flexible alternative to the traditional high school setting. The COA blends online learning with face-to-face teacher support to increase student achievement.
Denver Public Schools, Colorado
Recognizing the benefits blended learning offers in-meeting the needs of diverse student populations, Denver Public Schools first implemented a blended learning program to support credit recovery efforts. As the district's dropout rate continues to decline, Denver Public Schools has expanded their blended learning programs to include original credit, unit recovery, AP exam preparation, GED preparation, as well as middle school intervention and to augment instruction in a more traditional classroom setting.
Ecorse Public Schools, Ecorse Community High School and Hope Academy, Michigan
Promoting Student Success is a school-wide initiative designed to support students to graduate on time and recover credits. A key component of the initiative includes actively engaging parents, through the development of a new parent organization, and the community in student learning.
EVSC Virtual Academy, Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation, Indiana
EVSC Virtual Academy began in 2010, and is often looked to as a state and national model for virtual education. The academy offers original credit, credit recovery, honors, Advanced Placement, and NCAA-eligible courses. You can read the independent study on learning gains made on the ISTEP+ ECA for students here.
Hartford Public Schools, Connecticut
The Choosing to Succeed High School Graduation Initiative was started by Hartford Public Schools to ensure every student has the opportunity to be successful. The Student Success Center provides off-track and returning dropout students with individualized support and academic instruction to help them reengage in learning through blended learning environments. To ensure success, classrooms have no more than 15 students. These classrooms are designed to be a smaller learning environment where students have the opportunity to work one-on-one with their teachers. In 2013, 80.4 percent of the seniors participating in the program earned the credits needed to graduate.
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District (Mat-Su), Mat-Su iTech, Alaska
Mat-Su iTech was created to offer course flexibility and expand choices for students throughout the district. Students across the district enroll in Mat-Su iTech online courses as part of their regular school schedule. Because the courses are offered online either at their school site or from home, students in rural locations have the same educational opportunities as the district's urban and suburban students. The rich curriculum affords students with academic options that were previously unavailable, including foreign language and Advanced Placement courses.