FAQs
General FAQs
What grades are offered by Washington Virtual Academies (WAVA)?
Any student in grades K–12 who resides in the state of Washington is eligible for enrollment.
What subjects will my child study?
Language arts, math, science, history, music, art, and physical education are the core courses. High school students also take a world language and have access a variety of AP® and elective courses. World languages are also offered to K–8 students as an extracurricular activity. Visit our elementary, middle school, and high school curriculum pages for more details.
Does the program provide textbooks and other instructional materials?
Yes. We provide the textbooks and instructional materials needed to complete the program. These books and materials are sent to students directly. The amount and type of materials varies by grade and course. Common household items and office supplies like printer ink and paper are not provided.
Will my child have the same graduation opportunities as students in traditional public schools?
Yes, we are a public school in Washington, so students can earn a diploma by passing and earning all required high school credits to graduate.
Can my child work at their own pace?
Families can choose the standard WAVA program or the new FLEX Program. In both programs, pacing is guided by trained educators, but there are some differences:
Our standard elementary program is self-paced and flexible within the parameters specified by state law. Our middle school and high school programs are a combination of self-paced work and scheduled lessons and activities.
In our FLEX Program, students are expected to complete 10 percent of each year-long course every month (20 percent for semester-long classes). All FLEX students have a monthly progress conference with their FLEX teacher where they share their what they have learned, reflect on how the previous month went, and look ahead to the next month. To remain in the FLEX program students must maintain passing grades in all courses.
How much time do students spend on the computer?
In the younger grades, 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 by high school, most of the school day is online.
Do you provide curriculum for children with special needs?
Depending on your child’s IEP, we should be able to tailor instruction to meet your child’s needs. To discuss your child’s needs with us, please contact our office , and we will put you in touch with our special education team.
Can you accommodate the accelerated learning needs of my advanced learner?
WAVA meets the needs of advanced learners in a variety of ways. The beauty of our elementary and middle school programs is that they’re flexible enough to meet children where they are in any given subject and take them where they want to go. Placement assessments taken online during the enrollment process allow us to place your student in the appropriate level of curriculum. For example, if your 4th grader is doing math on a 6th grade level and reading on a 4th grade level, we can adjust their courses to meet their abilities. High school students have the opportunity to take more advanced courses, including AP® courses and Running Start courses for college credit.
Our new FLEX Program is a good choice for students who are self-motivated and/or find in-class pacing too slow.
We also offer a Highly Capable Program for eligible students who perform, or show potential to perform, at significantly advanced academic levels when compared with others of their age, experiences, or environments.
How do students interact socially?
Throughout the year, students are invited to participate in school outings, field trips (e.g., to historical sites, museums, zoos), picnics, and other social events. We expect local clusters of students and parents to get together on a regular basis in their areas. We also are exploring new ways to interact socially using the powerful reach of the internet. The online Family Directory provides a way for families to network with families in their region of the state. With online discussions and forums, new types of communities can be formed that are based not on geography and place but on shared interests.
Will this program intrude into my home?
There are no home visits as part of the program, and there are no other intrusions into your home. This school was created to help your child obtain a first-class education and serve your family’s needs. If you ever feel that it is not right for your family or your child, you can withdraw at any time.
How do I enroll my student?
Visit our How to Enroll section for information on enrolling your student in WAVA.
Can students do extracurricular activities in their resident district?
Please contact the WAVA office for more information on the extracurricular activities available to students in their resident school district.