General FAQs About Our Idaho Online School

Idaho Virtual Academy is a tuition-free, Cognia-accredited online public school serving students in grades K–12 across Ohio. We offer learning options that provide the structure, accountability, and certified teachers families expect from a brick-and-mortar public school—along with the freedom to learn in a safe, judgment-free space.

Absolutely! Idaho Virtual Academy is fully accredited by Cognia, a global leader in education quality, known for recognizing schools that provide top-tier education. IDVA was honored with the prestigious 2024 Schools of Distinction Award, an honor awarded to only 60 institutions worldwide.

We use a high-quality, proven curriculum that benefits from K12’s 25+ years of expertise in online education. We then tailor these resources to meet our unique academic needs here in Idaho, ensuring state standards are met with excellence.

Idaho Virtual Academy uses the K12 online learning platform, tailoring its high-quality curriculum and extensive resources to meet our students’ unique needs here in Idaho.

K12 has been delivering online education for more than 25 years and is used in more than 100 online schools across the USA. We’re proud to be one of them!

IDVA offers enrollment for grades K–12 for Idaho residents. Some of our students enroll in kindergarten and spend their whole school career with us, while others may need to enroll for a semester or two to catch up on credits. We love seeing our students grow and discover their strengths!

English/language arts (ELA), math, science, history, music, and art are the required courses for grades K–8. Students may take a world language elective in addition to these courses if they wish. No formal physical education course is offered in these grades; however, 30 minutes of physical activity is recommended for all students. Students in grades K–2 are also required to participate in a world language experience—a short course intended to introduce students to a world language and culture.

Middle school students in grades 6–8 must be enrolled in a minimum of four courses (Math, ELA, Science, and History). Students in 8th grade are enrolled in a Career Explorations elective that may be taken for high school credit.

High school students in grades 9–12 who attend IDVA follow a two-semester schedule each school year and enroll in a minimum of six courses per semester.

Alternatively, high school students in grades 9–12 who attend Insight School of Idaho follow a four-quarter schedule each school year (with eight blocks for elective courses) and enroll in 2–4 courses each quarter.

Visit our elementary, middle school, and high school curriculum pages for more details.

There is no tuition for Idaho residents in grades K–12 to enroll in or attend Idaho Virtual Academy because we are an online public charter school. We provide Idaho-certified teachers and instructional materials. Families are responsible for providing some common household materials (such as printer ink and paper). Our enrollment consultants can help address your technological and computer questions and needs.

Yes. We provide textbooks and instructional materials. These books and materials are dependent on the student’s grade level and the courses they’re enrolled in. High school students receive fewer books and materials than elementary and middle school students.

The elementary program is self-paced and flexible within the parameters specified by state law. Middle and high school students complete lessons in live and recorded sessions and are expected to complete quizzes, tests, and other assignments in a timely manner. Live classes will be scheduled at specific times between 8:30 and 4 (MT), and students will be expected to attend at their scheduled class time.

In younger grades, many online lessons include offline work. Students in grades K–2 spend about 30–40% of their time on the computer, while students in grades 3–5 spend about 50–60% online. Screen time increases in middle school, and by high school, most of the school day is online.

• Middle school (grades 6–8) students will have 4 to 5 hours¹ of coursework (lessons, assignments, assessments, reading, essays, etc.) each school day.
• High school (grades 9–12) students will have 6 to 8 hours¹ of coursework (lessons, assignments, assessments, reading, essays, etc.) each school day.
  ¹ Daily school time will vary by student.

Time online could be spent working on asynchronous lessons, working in live online sessions with teachers, and collaborating with peers on engaging assignments and projects. Students also do hands-on science experiments, read novels, and complete math problems without the computer.

At Idaho Virtual Academy, we understand what it takes to be successful in a virtual school setting. We know that the single most important factor in student success in a virtual school is having a Learning Coach—be that a parent, guardian, or other trusted adult—who is very engaged in the student’s day-to-day schooling.

The Learning Coach helps keep students on track, encourages them to engage in lessons, and partners with teachers at IDVA to support academic progress. Learning Coaches need to be prepared to provide guidance and support each school day.

Students must be motivated to engage in class each school day. Students must log into school daily, complete all assigned lessons and assignments, attend live classes, communicate with teachers, and collaborate with their Learning Coaches.

Daily Student Responsibilities / Daily Learning Coach Responsibilities [PDF]

As a public charter school, IDVA does not discriminate against any student on any basis prohibited by federal or state constitutions or any federal, state, or local law. All students, regardless of ability or disability, will receive an equal opportunity to enroll and participate in IDVA.

To discuss your child’s needs, please contact our office, and we’ll put you in touch with our special education team.

The beauty of our K–8 program is that it is flexible enough to meet children where they are in any given subject and take them where they want to go. Grade placement assessments, completed as part of the enrollment process, help us place your student at the appropriate curriculum level. For example, if your 4th grader is doing math at a 6th grade level and reading at a 4th grade level, we can tailor lesson plans to meet your student’s abilities.

During middle school, Idaho Virtual Academy provides opportunities for eligible students to take high school credits.

High school students can take more advanced courses, including honors and Advanced Placement® courses and the Advanced Opportunities (AO) Program (dual high school and college credit eligible courses—sometimes called concurrent enrollment or dual enrollment courses). The AO Program is funded by the state of Idaho and every 7–12th grade student has $4,125 to spend on advanced opportunities.

Contact Deslynn Mecham, College and Career Advisor, at dmecham@idahova.org for more info about the AO Program.

Throughout the year, students will be invited to participate in a variety of in-person and online social events. Monthly events are shared in our school newsletter, The HOWL, which is emailed at the beginning of each month. Local students and parents can get together on a regular basis in their areas. And K12 online national clubs help connect students with peers who share similar interests and passions. If you have any questions about events and social opportunities, please contact our Community Engagement Specialist, Alicia Sanders, at asanders@idahova.org.

Yes, as a public charter school in Idaho, students can earn a diploma through IDVA based on their successful completion and mastery of course content.

Idaho state law allows charter school students to participate in district extracurricular activities. Districts may charge charter school students a participation fee or decline a student if the district program is full. Part-time high school students may participate in the full scope of their resident district or charter school offerings.

Yes. Whether they simply need to recover some credit or need to catch up on a semester or two, we have credit recovery options uniquely designed to help students catch up. Learn more about credit recovery options.

We are proud to be recognized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). View our list of approved core courses by visiting the NCAA’s high school selection site and inputting high school code 130028. To learn more about our NCAA-approved courses, click here.

Students enrolled at IDVA must attend and complete all required state and school testing whether at home or face-to-face. As enrollees at a public school, Idaho Virtual Academy students are required to participate in state testing (K–3 IRI, 3–11 ISAT, 12th Civics). State testing is completed in person, and it is the family’s responsibility to provide transportation to the testing location. Specific dates, times, and locations will be provided in advance.

Yes, this is called dual enrollment and is allowed by state law. Students dual enrolling with Idaho Virtual Academy will need to follow IDVA Board policy, must take a minimum of 3 courses with Idaho Virtual Academy, and are required to attend all live classes with IDVA. Students enrolled in IDVA’s alternative school, Insight School of Idaho (ISID), generally take only three (3) courses on a quarter/block system and, therefore, are not eligible for dual enrollment. Exceptions for ISID students may be made by administration.

No, students cannot attend school alone without support from a trusted adult. It is essential for each student to have an engaged Learning Coach in the home every school day.

No, students are not excused from school if they are without the internet or a working computer. Schooling expectations for students will continue should this happen, and attendance will not be excused.

Attendance is defined as daily curriculum completion as outlined by the daily plan and/or weekly work schedule, daily logins, and live class attendance. Idaho Virtual Academy follows Idaho Codes #33-202, #33-205, #33-206, and #33-207 pertaining to public school attendance. Parents must understand that Idaho Virtual Academy is a public school of choice, and, as part of the public school system, Idaho Virtual Academy is required to account for the attendance and progress of each individual student. Failure to meet the school’s attendance requirements may result in expulsion and/or denial of student enrollment. Compulsory school attendance for students is a legal and serious matter that Idaho Virtual Academy handles with care, dignity, and accountability.

Idaho State Board of Education Rules (IDAPA 08.02.02.104 and 08.02.03.107) require that each school district create a minimum standard that middle school students must meet to move on to the next grade. This standard must include an attendance requirement and a minimum level of achievement. This policy will also include an alternative path for students who do not meet the requirements to move to the next grade. This policy can be requested for review upon request.

Middle Level Credit System Overview:

Students shall be required to earn at least 75% of their credits to be promoted to the next grade level.

Students will not be allowed to lose a full year of credit in one area (i.e. a student would not be able to fail a full year of math) and automatically move on to the next grade level.

Students must pass grade 8 math standards to be permitted into 9th grade.

Students not meeting (or in jeopardy of not meeting) credit requirements will be given an opportunity to recover credits or complete an alternate path to be eligible for promotion to the next grade level.

Attendance must be up to date and meet the minimum state requirements for school attendance.

All families enrolled in IDVA will be eligible to receive the Internet Service Provider (ISP) Subsidy. Each family must submit an application each semester to receive the subsidy. Applications will be emailed to Learning Coaches mid-October for Semester 1 and mid-April for Semester 2. The ISP Subsidy will be distributed to families who submit an application and comply with attendance requirements. Checks for approved applications will be mailed around December 20 for Semester 1 and June 20 for Semester 2.

No, IDVA does not cover this item.

If your student unenrolls from IDVA, K12 will send you prepaid mailing labels to return the computer, printer, and schooling materials.

If your student must be absent from school due to illness or other reason(s), please notify your student’s teacher(s) by email or phone call.

Organizations outside Idaho Virtual Academy may request a Verification of Compliance (VOC) form. This form is used to ensure that students are in good standing with a school to qualify for services such as Social Security, Driver’s Education Programs, participation in athletics, etc. The DMV requires an original VOC signed form with the school seal. To comply with this requirement, check with your school counselor, and upon approval, IDVA will mail a copy of the VOC to the student’s address upon request. Please request the VOC at least one week in advance to allow for time for mailing.

For students to be compliant, they must be currently passing all core credit classes (English, math, science, history). Students enrolled in IDVA must pass with a grade of at least 60%. Students enrolled in ISID must pass with a grade of at least 70%.

Yes. A parent/Learning Coach may log on to the system at any time and view an up-to-date report of each student’s academic progress. All report cards and transcripts will be filed in the student’s cumulative file.

• Alternative high school students will receive a report card by email at the end of Q1/Q2 and Q3/Q4.
• Elementary students will receive a final report card by email at the end of the school year.
• Middle and high school students will receive a report card by email at the end of each semester.

At Idaho Virtual Academy, we want every student to feel respected and supported. State law requires that we use a student’s legal name and legal sex unless we have written consent from a legal guardian, adult student, or emancipated student.