How It Works
Myths about Online Schools
MYTH: Students who attend online schools lack socialization and social skills.
FACT: Students at the Utah Virtual Academy will have the opportunity to participate in many academic and social outings. These outings may include trips to museums, skate parks, zoos, parks, and other community destinations. We also encourage students to participate in clubs.
MYTH: You'll spend all day staring at a computer.
FACT: While attendance, planning, and assessment are all recorded online, many of the online lessons include offline work. Students in grades K–2 spend about 30–40 percent of their time on the computer, while students in grades 3–5 spend about 50–60 percent of their time online. Screen time increases in middle school and high school. The rest of the K12 curriculum relies on printed and/or hands-on materials, including beautifully crafted textbooks, paint, rocks, and microscopes.
MYTH: Attending the Utah Virtual Academy is a part-time job.
FACT: Students will need to spend about four to six hours on schoolwork each day, depending on grade level.
MYTH: Online schools don't meet the curriculum requirements for public schools.
FACT: The Utah Virtual Academy is a public school that happens to operate outside a traditional classroom. As public school students, your children will be expected to spend a certain amount of time each day engaged in schoolwork.
