Back-to-School Without a Glitch: Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin and Wisconsin Virtual Academy Open their Online Doors for the New School Year

MCFARLAND, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin (WIDCA), a tuition-free full-time online public school serving students in grades 9-12, and Wisconsin Virtual Academy (WIVA) serving students in grades K-12, are ready to get back to work providing Wisconsin students with the safe and comprehensive education they need during these historic times. Students and teachers will open their laptops to log on and start the 2020-2021 school year tomorrow, September 1.

The first day of school comes as families across the state are frustrated and nervous about what the new school year will mean in the face of a global pandemic. According to one national survey, 2/3 of parents support keeping brick and mortar schools closed until there is no risk. Attending school online is a safe alternative and career readiness programs can allow families to still focus on their child’s future.

As part of the McFarland School District, and staffed by state-licensed teachers, WIDCA and WIVA offer a personalized approach to learning, delivering rich, engaging curriculum designed to assist students who seek alternative pathways to education.

Students who attend WIDCA are also encouraged to look to the future. High school students can participate in the Destinations Career Program where they will discover classes to help them with potential careers in fields like Business, Health and Human Services, IT, and Heavy Equipment Operating Engineers. By taking these courses, students can earn college credits and prepare to take industry-recognized certification exams upon graduation, giving them an advantage over other students in their state and potentially saving them thousands of dollars in college tuition costs.

“We go beyond the traditional distance learning model and give students a collaborative, highly engaging real-world experience through daily live class sessions,” said WIDCA and WIVA Principal, Cynthia Worden. “The reality is, none of us can predict what school will look like over the next few years, but thanks to the skills they learn here, our students are prepared to take on the world, in whatever form it takes.”

Students choose online school for a variety of reasons including advanced learning, a bullying-free environment, and the ability to support extracurricular pursuits or medical needs. The online platform at WIDCA and WIVA gives students the opportunity to pursue their academic goals in a supportive environment and at an appropriate pace for their learning style.

Families are encouraged to attend an online or in-person information session hosted by the school. More information on WIDCA, how to enroll, and a schedule of upcoming events can be found at dcawi.k12.com/ and for more information on WIVA, please visit wiva.k12.com/.

About Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin

Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin, a charter school authorized by the McFarland School District, is the first-ever career and technical education-focused online high school in Wisconsin using the curriculum and academic programs by K12 Inc. (NYSE: LRN). It is also the first online career readiness program in Wisconsin to offer a construction pre-apprenticeship program in partnership with industry leaders. As part of the Wisconsin public school system, Destinations Career Academy is tuition-free and serves students statewide in grades 9-12. For more information about Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin, visit widca.k12.com.

About Wisconsin Virtual Academy

Wisconsin Virtual Academy (WIVA), a charter school authorized by the McFarland School District, is the largest full-time online public-school serving students in grades K through 12 in the state. As part of the Wisconsin public school system, WIVA is tuition-free, giving families the choice to access the curriculum and tools provided by K12 Inc. (NYSE: LRN), the nation’s leading provider of K-12 proprietary curriculum and online education programs. For more information about WIVA, visit http://wiva.k12.com/.