Education that meets the needs of students, families

SPONSORED – In Washington state, we have a robust program of online, tuition-free public schooling to accommodate students’ diverse interests, create a learning environment that fits their needs, and encourages students to explore all aspects of their academic passions – from arts to STEM.

One of the educational choices parents and students have is Washington Virtual Academies (WAVA). WAVA is a program of Omak School District that is a full-time online public school for students in grades K-12.

This innovative school model engages teachers, families, and students to be invested in inspiring and empowering students through an education experience tailored to every child’s unique needs.

Who We Serve

At WAVA, we’re dedicated to empowering every student through an education experience tailored to their needs so students learn in the ways that are best for them—at home, on the road, or wherever there’s an internet connection.

The populations served by online public schools are diverse, economically and culturally. A full 41% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch and 14% are special education students. Nearly 40% are students of color.

And, we know there are many reasons for the move to blended – online and in-person – education.

In rural parts of the state, which exist in all 39 counties, travel time to and from school can be lengthy, creating barriers for students to participate in extracurricular activities, such as a competitive sport or a theater or art program. For many families the cost of travel to and from school and extracurricular activities poses a financial burden on the family.

There are also parents looking for options for their children with different abilities, such as highly capable students and those with learning or physical challenges that make it difficult to attend an all-day, in-person classroom.

WAVA’s blended education model allows students to learn at their own pace while meeting deadlines to submit assignments, making the educational experience more adaptive to the student and more dynamic for their strengths and weaknesses.

It’s for these reasons, and so many more, we are seeing more families from all backgrounds seeking an alternative to in-person public school education.

Academic Excellence, Balanced with Student Endeavors

Across all grades, WAVA’s curriculum uses a blend of learning elements to accommodate multiple learning styles and maximize both the quality of lessons and the way they are delivered.

We have too many stories to recount that illustrate the dynamic and diverse educational opportunities students enrolled in WAVA are exposed to.

One such story is Eva Zamora-Kapoor, she is proof it’s never too young to find a passion. As a kindergartner, she took home the third-place prize in the Stride K12 national art competition with her artwork titled, “Underwater Ice-cream,” this year.

She said the painting represents the car of her dreams – an underwater ice-cream truck. It’s powered by a rainbow engine and it runs on a surfboard and delights sea creatures with its music.

She is a student at St. Thomas School in Medina, Wash., which is part of the Stride K12 hybrid public school educational model, allowing students to learn at their pace, explore through art and extracurricular activities, as well as attend in-person classes at their local public school.

It’s experiences like these, and so many more, that offer WAVA students opportunities that expand their minds and grow their creativity while learning the basics.

And, we offer clubs for students that highlight unique interests from art, baking, gaming, coding, student leadership, music, and more. WAVA has a Learning Coach Community designated to our families and provides ways to connect with others at our school geographically and in locations throughout Washington state by connecting through an online platform.

WAVA and its teachers and administrators understand that every student learns differently and has different passions, and this model of schooling celebrates those differences all while ensuring students get a quality and well-rounded education.

Preparing Students for a Lifetime of Success

WAVA offers online instruction through a variety of tools that include video, text, animations, interactive games, and chat.

We also establish partnerships that foster an environment that allows students to tailor their learning to their career pathway of choice.

With WAVA’s career preparation, students can use their middle and high school years to figure out where they want to go and how to get there.

In addition to core courses, they can take career-focused electives to explore their options and find their passion—all while earning their high school diploma in career pathways such as:

– Business
– Health & Human Services
– Information Technology
– Manufacturing: Engineering/Tech
– Marketing

This educational experience prepares students to dive into a career right out of high school or help them make the right decision about post-secondary education options and majors.

Open Minds, Open Opportunities

A WAVA education fosters an environment where educational excellence is priority and educational opportunities abound.

Allowing parents and students to work alongside WAVA teachers and administrators means academic buy-in. Together, we find the right combination where students get a quality education while experiencing the diverse activities that will shape their lives today and into the future.

This hands-on, tailored learning model has been a tremendous success for thousands of students across Washington state, building confidence and building bridges to future endeavors.

A WAVA education is one of endless possibilities, where learners — no matter who or where they are — can create, explore, and find their own path to success.

Enrollment is open now. To learn more about WAVA or to enroll a student, visit the website.