Great Lakes Cyber Academy Approved for 2013-2014 School Year

Students in grades 9-12 from across Michigan have a new open enrollment option for Michigan’s 2013-2014 school year—Great Lakes Cyber Academy, a full-time, tuition-free, virtual public school. An innovative choice for high school students seeking a fully-online, technology-enhanced public school experience, Great Lakes Cyber Academy will offer flexibility, an award-winning curriculum, and dedicated teachers. Interested parents and students are encouraged to learn more about Great Lakes Cyber Academy at one of the many upcoming in-person or online information sessions information sessions offered by the school. Enrollment is going on now for the 2013-2014 school year.

Unique to Great Lakes Cyber Academy are three flexible graduation pacing options offered throughout the full year (versus a traditional 10-month school calendar). Students can choose to learn in two or three sessions—fall, spring, and summer. They can also speed up or slow down their learning based on their learning style, schedule and commitments, and aspirations:

• Standard Pace: Students take full course loads in the traditional fall and spring sessions and take the summer off (most closely aligned to traditional public school with 10-month calendar).

• Accelerated Pace: Students attend all three sessions full time, enabling them to graduate early or take post-secondary dual enrollment courses.

• Extended Pace: Students take a lighter than usual course load in the fall and spring sessions, but also attend the summer session. This option provides students with more time for other activities, while still enabling them to complete a full workload over the course of a year.

“This 21st century school is on the cutting edge of the changing educational landscape,” said Jeff Cobb, Board Chair of Great Lakes Cyber Academy. “By combining innovative technology and highly skilled teachers, we are able to provide a flexible and creative learning environment for each and every student.” 

Using the award-winning Florida Virtual School and Connections Academy curriculum, Great Lakes Cyber Academy offers a robust selection of core courses, including AP and Honors courses, as well as an exciting array of electives to provide students choice and flexibility. The school combines a high-quality curriculum, state-of-the-art technology, and a secure easy-to-use online learning system. Students receive personalized attention from state-certified teachers; working with them online and on the phone. The school creates a supportive environment for high school students by also requiring a Learning Coach, typically a parent, to monitor progress in the home, oversee daily schedules, and to help motivate students.

“We are excited to be a part of providing high school students in Michigan the option to attend school throughout the full year,” said Julie Young, President and CEO of Florida Virtual School, an established leader in developing and providing virtual Kindergarten-12 education solutions to students in Florida, the United States and the world. “Through personalized instruction, Great Lakes Cyber Academy students can achieve their academic goals while meeting their personal needs.”

The school is governed by a Board of Trustees composed of Michigan residents, while its curriculum and other services are contracted through Connections Education, a leading provider of high-quality, highly accountable online and blended learning, which is accredited by AdvancED.

“Reinforcing our commitment to meeting the needs of Michigan students, we are pleased to welcome Great Lakes Cyber Academy into our family of schools and to provide another valuable, innovative education option,” said Cindy Schumacher, Executive Director of The Governor John Engler Center for Charter Schools at Central Michigan University. “It is sure to be a compelling option for many high school students throughout the state.”

Information Sessions

Great Lakes Cyber Academy will host free parent information sessions throughout the spring and summer. At the information sessions, parents and students will have an opportunity to learn about the school’s curriculum, and thoroughly explore the program. A schedule with dates and locations is available online or by calling 855-GO4-GLCA (855-464-4522). For those unable to attend an in-person information session, real-time online sessions with a school representative are available.

See more about the growth of online learning across the U.S. with the new infographic – The Growth of K-12 Online Learning

Enrollment at Great Lakes Cyber Academy is going on now. For more information and to enroll, please call 855-GO4-GLCA (855-464-4522) or visit the school's website.

About Great Lakes Cyber Academy

Great Lakes Cyber Academy is a full-time, tuition-free, virtual public school for students in grades 9-12 from across Michigan. The school was announced in May 2013 and will begin serving students in the 2013-2014 school year. Enrollment is currently underway. The school’s administrative office will be located in Okemos, MI, though students from across MI are eligible to enroll. Great Lakes Cyber School’s online school program is provided by Connections Education, a leading provider of online and blended learning and accredited by AdvancED. Hallmarks of the program include certified teachers, an award-winning curriculum, and cutting-edge technology tools for families and children who want an individualized approach to education. For more information, call 855-GO4-GLCA (855-464-4522) or visit the school's website.