Boston — July 16, 2018—According to the BrookingsInstitution, U.S. students lose an average of one month’s worth of school-year learningover the summer vacation and the extent of that loss iseven larger at higher grade levels.The community of Ware, Massachusetts, will address that “summer slide”through a $22,500 grant to enable the town’s high school students to take summer courses from The Virtual High School(VHS Inc.), a non-profit empowering schools with the industry’s best online learning programs.
“This generous grant from Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts is enabling Hampshire County students to use the summer to explore new interests or get aheadacademically,”said Carol Ribeiro, President & CEO of The Virtual High School. “We’re thrilled that middle and high school students in the area will have access to this enriching and engaging summer program, so they can be better prepared for college, careers, and beyond.”
Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts funding allows Ware Junior Senior High School students in grades 7-12 to take online summer courses through VHS. Courses begin July 23, 2018, and are offered in a variety of subject areas, including: Study Skills, Personal Finance, Health, Digital Photography, Pre-Algebra, Pre-Calculus, Cryptography, Criminology, and CAD. A complete list of summer courses, including course descriptions, is available on The Virtual High School’s web site: vhslearning.org/summer. All courses are instructor-led, and eligible courses are NCAA-approved.
“Ware Junior Senior High School has been a VHS partner since 2000,” said Suzanne Harlow, VHS Director of School Services. “More than 90 percent of our partners continue with us each school year, and Ware’s18 years with the VHS program is especially gratifying. We look forward to continuing to serve the students and families of Hampshire County, through online and blended learning programs that align with Ware’s school culture of high expectations and academic success.”
About The Virtual High School
The Virtual High School (VHS Inc.) is an online learning pioneer. Since 1996, the organization has set the standard for quality online education. The Virtual High School is accredited by both Middle States Association Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools(MSA-CESS), and AdvancED.Courses are approved for initial eligibility by NCAA. For more information, visit www.vhslearning.org or call (978) 897-1900.
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