Beyond The Bell: OKC's First Online Learning Academy

Oklahoma City Public Schools will launch their first-ever online learning school this year.

Students around Oklahoma City ready to wake up early, board the bus and spend their days inside a classroom. Dozens of students this year, though, won't even leave their house to get to class.

It's a new way of learning: online courses for grades K through 12.

"I'm very excited about being able to provide an opportunity for students that maybe just want to expand their horizons or maybe didn't fit into the traditional classroom 100%," said Innovative Programs Coordinator, Jackie Mania.

But don't be confused, there's no extra recess with the online courses. Mania says it takes a motivated student to succeed in the program.

"It's just as rigorous as being in the regular classroom," Mania said.

And just like a traditional principal, Mania can check in on her students' progress with the click of a button.

"The time commitment is pretty equal, but they do have more opportunity to bring in other sources," said Mania.

Mania predicts her online classrooms to be the way of the future.

"I don't know if classrooms will necessarily ever completely go away, but I think we're going to see more blending," Mania said.

Mania says don't be surprised if down the road, your kids learn more with online tools.

"They can come into a building for a part of a day and get tutoring and instruction in a small group with other students," Mania said.

Now in order to enroll in the virtual academy parents need to fill out an interest form, then go through a series of meetings and interviews to ensure the student and learning coach understand the expectations.

Learn more about the virtual academy.