FAQS
General FAQs
What grades are offered by Ohio Virtual Academy (OHVA)?
OHVA serves Ohio students in grades K–12.
What subjects will my child study?
Language arts, math, science, history, music, and art are the core courses. There will also be other courses in the appropriate grade levels, such as physical education. Kindergarten students take language arts (including phonics), math, history, and social studies. High school students also take a world language and have access to honors and AP® courses as well as a variety of electives. 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. Generally, high school students receive fewer books and materials than elementary and middle school students, due to the different course requirements. 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. OHVA students are public school students, and they earn a high school diploma that is identical to any other diploma awarded by public schools in the state of Ohio. Because OHVA is an accredited public school, our graduates have the same rights and privileges extended to them as any other Ohio graduates when applying for opportunities at our state and nation's colleges and universities.
Can my child work at their own pace?
In cooperation with the guidance of trained educators, our 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.
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. See below for additional information about rights and responsibilities regarding the education of a child on an IEP:
If you think your child may have an unidentified disability, please read about the Child Find initiative [PDF]. If you'd like to discuss this with us in more detail, call 866.339.9072 (toll-free).
Can you accommodate the accelerated learning needs of my advanced learner?
OHVA 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 fourth grader is doing math on a sixth-grade level and reading on a fourth-grade level, we can adjust their courses to meet their abilities. High school students can take honors and AP® courses. And qualified students can participate in the College Credit Plus program.
How do students interact socially?
Students spend time with classmates online and through school outings, field trips, and other activities. In addition to school-based clubs, K12 online national clubs help connect students with like interests and passions. 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. The online Family Directory helps OHVA families network online as well as with families in their region of the state.
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. The state of Ohio does require that students meet with their teacher in person four times a year. This is accomplished by attending academic workshops, school outings, or state or other testing events.
