TUSD opens AGAVE virtual school
Tucson Unified School District has joined the Florida-based Kaplan Virtual Education firm to launch AGAVE Distance Learning, a virtual public school that will serve Pima County high school students starting this fall. AGAVE, a tuition-free public school, will offer courses supported by flexible scheduling, individualized instruction and relevant, engaging curriculum.
"This partnership brings a number of new courses to AGAVE along with increased teacher-student engagement to greatly enhance the student experience," said Stu Baker, TUSD Principal of AGAVE Distance Learning. "We are bringing a greatly improved product to Pima County and look forward to showing students and their parents all of the program’s great new features."
Students who work, travel, have scheduling conflicts at their traditional high schools or those who would prefer the flexibility of studying online may attend AGAVE part or full time. AGAVE students will have access to 80 core, Advanced Placement and honors courses. They can participate in class discussions from virtually anywhere at any time with an Internet connection. The courses, designed to cater to different skill levels and keep students motivated, will be embedded with audio, video and other teaching tools.
This new and improved online high school boasts increased teacher interaction with students, providing an even more welcoming and nurturing environment for AGAVE students. TUSD teachers will instruct all the courses and will be available to answer student questions via telephone, instant message and email. White boards—the equivalent of a real-time online blackboard—will be used to demonstrate course work.
"Kaplan Virtual Education is excited to partner with the Tucson Unified School District to offer high school students the flexibility and convenience of attending an online school," said Charles Thornburgh, the President of Kaplan Virtual Education, in a press release. "Kaplan Virtual Education has an impressive track record of providing rigorous, high-quality online programs to students across the country and we look forward to doing the same for students in Arizona."
The tuition-free public school is open to qualified county students. To learn more about AGAVE Distance Learning, call Baker at 225-2677 or visit www.agavedistancelearning.com.