The VHS Collaborative Approved to Deliver Online Courses to Maine Students

MAYNARD, Mass. - Aug. 28, 2013 - PRLog -- The Virtual High School (VHS) Collaborative (http://thevhscollaborative.org), the nonprofit pioneer of K-12 online learning, today announced that Maine’s Department of Education has granted the organization approved online learning provider status. The state has found VHS courses to meet the state’s standards, enabling middle and high schools statewide to partner with VHS.

The Virtual High School’s mission is to provide students with access to high quality online and blended learning experiences, while supporting educators with the professional development and resources they need to provide an effective 21st century education to every student. VHS - schools have access to a range of core, elective, and AP® courses as well as gifted and talented courses for middle school and high school students that inspire, ignite and deepen learning.

“This approval enables us to bring our award-winning model to more Maine schools,” said Jeffrey A. Elliott, CEO of VHS. “The need for our courses throughout the state is great, especially in less populated areas where it is difficult for schools to provide students with comprehensive opportunities. As an approved online provider, schools can easily work with us to offer a wide array of courses which provide authentic, collaborative learning experiences and help prepare students for college and careers.”

Since 2002, VHS has been partnering with middle and high schools in Maine to expand educational opportunities and level the playing field for students statewide. Currently, nearly 50 schools in Maine utilize courses from The Virtual High School.

Sacopee Valley High School in Hiram, ME, is now entering their 7^th year as a VHS member. “As a small, rural school of only 350 students, we don’t have the resources to offer a ton of in-person AP courses or electives,” said Dorothy Maxwell, VHS Site Coordinator & Teacher at Sacopee Valley. “By partnering with VHS, we’ve been able to level the playing field and have seen a tremendous increase in our student enrollment in AP courses. I really feel like we are setting our students up for success by offering this program to our students and am excited to see more Maine schools have the ability to do the same.”

For more information, visit http://thevhscollaborative.org.

About The VHS Collaborative (VHS)

Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Maynard, MA, The Virtual High School Collaborative is the pioneer of K-12 online learning. Since then, the nonprofit organization has been setting the standard for quality online education. VHS provides engaging courses taught in global online classrooms for secondary school students and online professional development in 21st century teaching best practices for educators.  The organization also meets the unique educational needs of schools through custom course development, private course offerings, and support for blended learning initiatives.

VHS’ design and delivery standard was the model used by the National Education Association in their recommended standards for online learning.  The organization has won numerous awards, including the Stockholm Challenge Award for Global Excellence in Information Technology and is a three-time winner of the United States Distance Learning Association’s (USDLA) award for Excellence in Programming and Excellence in Best Practices. For more information, visit www.thevhscollaborative.org or call (978) 897-1900.

Press Contact: VHS: Carol Arnold, Arnold Communications, carol@arnoldcomm.com, (877) 718-4604 x2.