The North Carolina Virtual Public School (NCVPS) has received recognition from the international organization, Quality Matters, for its high-quality online learning. The organization focuses on evaluating the learning experiences provided by both higher education and K-12 schools, as well as digital teaching and learning. NCVPS was honored with the “Making A Difference For Students” award, which acknowledges the school’s commitment to improving learning outcomes for its students.
One aspect that stood out to Quality Matters was NCVPS’s exemplary approach to focusing on the needs of the learners. The school implements valuable and diverse methods to enhance student outcomes and ensures the high quality of its courses. By utilizing the latest technologies, NCVPS prepares its students for their future careers and college education.
NCVPS operates as an additional service to North Carolina’s public schools, and students enroll through their local public schools. The grades and awards received by NCVPS students are reported to their public schools. The courses offered by the virtual school utilize learning management and collaborative software to promote student interaction. Students have access to online courses in various subjects, such as English language arts, mathematics, science test preparation, and credit recovery. Since its establishment in 2007, the virtual school has served 71,000 middle and high school students.
The school applied for this award in 2015 due to the international recognition, comprehensive general standards, and specific standards structure provided by Quality Matters. The criteria for the award considers factors such as accessibility, orientation, and learner interaction. Mia Murphy, the Executive Director of NCVPS, expressed that the award acknowledges the school’s positive impact on students’ lives. Murphy also emphasized that the award serves as external validation of the school’s commitment to maintaining excellence in online learning.
