Only a week into Wisconsin's open enrollment period, the state's virtual schools already report they're near their cut-off point for applications.
Before open enrollment even started, these online schools launched an aggressive outreach effort that included open houses, information sessions, and Internet ads. Now virtual schools say the application numbers are just shy of the statewide cap of 5,250 students.
iQ Academy principal Rick Nettesheim says applications are coming in faster than they did last year, and he anticipates more students will be on a waiting list than in the past.
Last academic year saw more than 3,600 students enrolled in Wisconsin's virtual schools, a 40-percent jump from the previous year. Nettesheim says growing familiarity with the virtual schools, and a legislative deal that legalized them helped boost interest.
Julie Thompson, vice-president of the Wisconsin Coalition of Virtual School Families, says she's not surprised by the interest. Thompson says online education can be cheaper than traditional schools, or be more comfortable for children who want to learn at their own pace or have mental or physical challenges. She's hoping a good legislative review of the virtual schools will build support among lawmakers, allowing for an increase of students, or the end of the 5,250 student enrollment cap.
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Wisconsin's open enrollment period ends February 19th.
