NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Tracey File with the Central State Academy Virtual School notes that virtual education isn't for everyone, but it can help a lot of students succeed.
"We are asynchronous and that works very well for us," File said. "Sometimes, if I get a parent calling in, especially of an elementary student who wants some bigger classroom involvement, that's not how we operate."
The model Central State Academy uses is very dependent on the individual student and how motivated they are.
"Students do get on to their curriculum, they work at their own pace," File said. "It's already pre-set. Our students, again, really like that. Then, we're just responsible for tracking them and making sure they are doing what they need to do and assisting them, should they have questions or needs at all, in whatever format, individually along the way."
This type of instruction can be particularly useful for students who are incredibly strong in one area while being weak in another, because they can get ahead where they are good and spend time on where they need help.
"If we can just encourage them to give it a shot and really focus, a lot of times they do better in those concepts," File said. "They are able to work on them and focus on them without the outside distractions, without feeling like they are the one in the class who doesn't get it."
Central State Academy can accept students from anywhere in Kansas. If you'd like to learn more, go to csa.usd309ks.org.