Virtual Innovators Academy

Mission

VIA aims to “provide high school students with rigorous, personalized, state-of-the-art virtual instruction with a project-based learning approach. [They] are reimagining education to ensure that [their] students are future-ready, by providing access to digital learning that is student-centered, career-connected, rigorous, and culturally responsive. [They] ensure a productive, diverse community of learners, willing to take suitable risks, learn from their mistakes, and support one another as [they] examine social problems, peak social awareness, develop social conscience, and work toward personal and communal growth.” Virtual Innovators Academy was opened in 2022 to expand virtual options for students in New York City.

Demographics

Virtual Innovators Academy serves students from across New York City. The school’s enrollment includes approximately 15% multilingual learners, 32% students with disabilities, and 20% homeschool students. Their learners include students experiencing high social anxiety, parenting teens, accelerated learners, students in the justice system, students with chronic illnesses, and students who were previously disengaged by traditional schools.

Experience Overview

VIA is a fully virtual high school offering a program based on Big Picture Learning, Future Ready, and real-world, project-based learning. Every student receives an individualized learning plan that includes academic and career goals. They then reflect on their progress four times per year. Students may also participate in work-based learning through internships, career-connected learning through a variety of course offerings, and advanced coursework through dual enrollment.

VIA is a high-quality fully virtual program. They foster strong relationships by providing trauma-informed instruction, choice in how students learn, and the facilitation of community circle town halls. VIA’s pedagogy centers on real-world project-based learning, competency-based learning, and the Danielson Framework for Teaching. Students have access to daily technology support for their school-provided Macbook Airs and other learning platforms. VIA also maintains high expectations through contracts for learning, performance-based assessments, and a robust orientation to ensure all learners have the foundation for successful self-directed learning.

Learning In Action

Students experience curricula curated and developed by the school which weaves in standards and durable skills such as critical thinking, communication, and collaboration. Students engage in relevant, project-based learning and present their learning to authentic audiences. Electives and after-school programs offer students additional choices, allowing them to vote on the options they find of interest. Most recently, this has resulted in the inclusion of courses such as Gamification, Digital Arts, Restorative Justice, and Computer Science.

During class, students keep their cameras on. It is an expectation that they should always be ready to share their screen and that they actively collaborate with their peers. Learning takes place both in live classes and through asynchronous work.

Students have Big Picture Learning advisories as well as opportunities to join a virtual cafeteria for lunch, monthly community events, curriculum-connected events, and team-building activities to build their sense of community and belonging.

Teaching In Action

Teachers approach learning with personalization in mind. In each unit, they survey students about their interests and then build project-based learning opportunities based on the results. Additional opportunities exist for students and teachers to collaborate in workshop carousels or structured one-on-one conversations to design passion projects. Work-based learning and virtual internships are also curated based on student interest. So that teachers can learn deeply about their students, they loop with them across two years to continue accelerating their learning.

Teachers benefit from a common planning period to support interdisciplinary collaboration, as well as, additional weekly planning time to support individualized learning. It is expected that educators respond to families within 48 hours and provide regular feedback to students throughout the week.

Exponential Learning Initiative: Accelerating Understanding via Evidence

The Learning Accelerator (TLA) launched the Exponential Learning Initiative in January 2024 with funding from the Walton Family Foundation to examine how virtual and hybrid school models support learning acceleration. As part of that work, TLA met with VIA to understand the strategies and practices core to their work that may be driving learning acceleration. This Theory of Change model documents the traits of the learners, the strategies and practices core to the VIA model, beliefs about how the learners develop core foundational skills, and the outcomes students intend to achieve.

Conditions for Success

Learning Materials and Tools: Educators at VIA teach public speaking, constructive dialogue, and executive functioning to support students in ensuring they are college and career-ready.
Professional Development and Learning: VIA staff are trained in trauma-informed instruction and restorative justice.
Continuous Improvement: VIA conducts learning walks every other Friday and invites parents, coaches, and community members to attend as a means to support their continuous improvement process.
Community and Culture: The school operates in a co-op model, and has community circle town halls, SEL advisory, and a peer jury to support a strong, collaborative school culture.

Other Key Highlights

VIA offers monthly workshops for students and families on restorative practices and virtual learning topics. Parents and caregivers are empowered to serve as their child’s learning coach, monitoring their grades, attendance, and progress.