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Our Insights

What’s Special

NYC’s first virtual high school

The Downside

Remote school won’t appeal to some

Founded in 2023, Virtual Innovators Academy (VIA) is New York City’s first fully remote high school. It provides virtual live classes and self-paced learning, using design thinking and projects to solve community issues. Students connect through virtual groups, clubs, 'town halls,' and during occasional in-person field trips.

Academics & Instruction: Students in the Competency Collaborative, a group of NYC public schools, follow traditional high school classes but undergo a distinct grading approach. For example, when writing a paper, students may be graded on specific skills like research, analysis, and writing. If they struggle, they can redo the work to improve. Practice and revision are important. All students receive a laptop, headphones, art and physical education supplies, calculators and mathematics manipulatives, independent reading books, and planners.

In design thinking, students tackle real-world challenges like reducing single-use plastic in a community. They make a solution, test it, and show it to the people affected by the problem.

Students can participate in after school activities like coding, broadcast journalism, anime, video game development, and e-sports. They may also participate in PSAL sports at schools near their homes.

Ninth-graders take a college-level civics course through Monroe College and 10th-graders may take courses through LaGuardia Community College. Eleventh and 12th grade students may complete high school while working on an associate’s (2-year) college degree, or a computer credential with Google.

Themes & Programs: Ninth-graders take computer science and compete in design challenges like Mouse Design League. Epic Theatre Ensemble works with students to create plays addressing contemporary issues such as genocide. Big Picture Learning offers internships and workshops for hands-on career exploration.

Culture & Environment: The VIA staff meets quarterly with a diversity, equity and inclusion specialist to create and reinforce their equity policies. High­lights include a restorative justice training class for all students, a peer jury to address conflicts, and culturally responsive literature in lessons. Students participate in virtual fashion shows and career days. Field trips range from a trip to Broadway’s Lion King to a campus tour at John Jay or other colleges.

Students meet in daily advisory groups and work on time management, organization, and self-awareness. Counselors provide additional support. Weekly community circles and a monthly “town hall” highlight celebrations and reinforce wellness practices, such as yoga, mindfulness, and healthy living.

 Special Education & English as a New Language (ENL): VIA accommodates students who would struggle with in-person attendance, offering digital translation and assistive technology. It has two full-time school counselors, several therapists (speech, OT, PT), and one part-time family therapist. There are ICT (integrated co-teaching) classes, a small self-contained class for students with special needs, and specially trained teachers for adapting lessons. Certified ENL teachers assist students learning English.

Building & Facilities: Virtual Innovators Academy is located in The Bronx. Students are not required to report to building sites outside of mandated state standardized testing days.

College & Career: The school partners with Hire Cause and Summer Youth Employment Program to help students get paid work and explore careers. (Lydie Raschka, web reports and responses to a questionnaire, February 2024)

 

 

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Programs & Admissions

From the 2024 High School Directory

The Virtual Pathway (X36V)

Admissions Method: Open

Program Description:

In the Virtual pathway, we offer SIX KEY FEATURES: Longer learning blocks with live teachers, project-based learning, daily advisory, daily teacher support in office hours, student-led after school activities, and design thinking projects that allow you to create solutions to community problems. We will build community in advisory, during lunchtime and after school clubs, and through weekly town halls.

Offerings

From the 2024 High School Directory

Contact & Location

Location

916 Eagle Avenue
BRONX NY 10456


Contact

Principal: Terri Grey

Parent Coordinator: Christal Bernard

Website

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