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Florida Virtual School (FLVS) Reviews | Online School Review

Florida Virtual School (FLVS): Online School Reviewed by Valid Education

Founded in the year 1997, Florida Virtual School is a leader in the world of online education. The school envisions extending learning beyond physical classrooms. And has managed to build trust across the stakeholder community in that couple of decades. For over 25 years now, this institution has been among the ​best online schools. In fact, it is the first choice for several families. Through a carefully planned approach and the power of innovative virtual learning tools, this school serves students from Florida and outside.

This world-class platform also provides its award-winning curriculum to private, public, charter, and homeschool families. In this way, FLVS takes its mission of delivering individualized educational plans forward. By now, FLVS has proudly completed 8.1 million semester enrollments since its founding year, 1997.

Accreditation & Recognition

Florida Virtual School fulfills the required quality standards as per the defined norms. It is accredited by Cognia and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement. And its core course curriculum is approved by the NCAA. Even the individual schools under the Florida Virtual School are accredited.  

Accreditation is important, as it assures students and parents that the academic credentials issued by the school are globally acknowledged and accepted by colleges, universities, and employers.

Features and Offerings:

Florida Virtual School is among the ​best online K12 schools. It offers over 190 courses from Kindergarten to Grade 12.

FLVS courses are available with two different options for students. They can choose between flex and full-time courses.

Flex courses allow students to enrich their learning and earn credits through virtual learning options. They can opt for these courses along with their regular school enrollment.

1 to 3 FLVS flex courses can be taken per semester by students of Florida (public, charter, and private). However, homeschool students within Florida can support their education by taking up to 6 courses.

Online Programs – Florida Virtual School

FLVS also offers the internationally recognized Cambridge AICE Diploma Program for its full-time students (9th or 10th grade).

Florida and Non-Florida resident criteria

Broadly, FLVS courses are available for students based on their location. Residents of Florida have the option to enroll in flex or full-time options through FLVS. However, for non-Florida residents, online course options are available through their ‘FlexPoint virtual School’.

FlexPoint Virtual School allows students (outside Florida) to learn through its mobile-friendly online courses.

Florida Virtual School Fee Structure

FLVS is among the most affordable high schools in the US. Flex and full-time courses offered to the residents of Florida are free of cost. Hence, parents/caregivers need to meet the basic requirements for any online course.

For residents outside Florida, the option is open to enroll in its FlexPoint Virtual School. But this one has a tuition fee.

FlexPoint Virtual School for Non-Florida residents at a glance:

TypeCost
Premium Courses (Tier 1)$475
Standard Courses (Tier 2)$400
Credit Recovery Courses (Tier 3)$350

School Highlights:

• Online Academic Support

All courses provided by FLVS are as good as the ​​top us high schools. These are taught by certified teachers. These teachers undergo training to teach in an online setting. Presently, the school has over 2500 online teachers.

For students and parents, there are extra options to communicate with the teachers over and above the live sessions. They can contact teachers through e-mails, messaging, and calls.

• Regulated Screen Time

To maintain a healthy balance between screen time and offline activities, FLVS full-time courses are created with a mix of these activities (through online and offline projects, etc.). From Kindergarten to Grade 3, students need to spend somewhere around 20 hours a week on the computer. And for Grades 4 to 12, this time increases up to 25 hours in a week.

• Advanced Placement Courses

FLVS also offers Advanced Placement and AP Capstone college-level courses approved by College Board to its students. Advanced Placement courses provide students with college-level knowledge while during high school online. Students who finish these AP courses earn college credits in advance, which allows for better higher education opportunities and improved job placement prospects in the future.

Florida students are not required to pay any fees to take the AP Exam, with the exception of any late test registration costs they may incur.

• Regular Socialization Opportunities

Students get a chance to meet and interact with their peers through online and in-person activities organized by the school. These activities include clubs, field trips, meet-ups, etc.  

Acceptance in Colleges

Students who graduate from FLVS are accepted into major universities and colleges. Some of these are:

Adelphi University, Garden City, NY
American University of Paris – France, Paris, FR
Art Institute of California: Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA
Auburn University at Montgomery, Montgomery, AL
Babson College, Babson Park, MA
Barnard College, New York, NY
Drew University, Madison, NJ
East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
Edison State College, Fort Myers, FL
Flagler College, St. Augustine, FL
Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL
Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, FL
Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, FL
Florida International University, Miami, FL
Florida Memorial University, Miami Gardens, FL
Florida Southern College, Lakeland, FL
Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Jacksonville University, Jacksonville, FL
John Cabot University, Rome, Italy
Lee University, Cleveland, TN
Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA
Longwood University, Farmville, VA
Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
Lynn University, Boca Raton, FL
Methodist University, Fayetteville, NC
Miami International University of Art and Design
New York University, New York City, NY
Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Palm Beach Atlantic University, West Palm Beach, FL
Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Roosevelt University, Chicago, IL
Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO
Shawnee State University, Portsmouth, OH
Southeast Missouri State University
Southeastern University, Lakeland, FL
Spalding University, Louisville, KY
State University of New York College at Plattsburgh
Stetson University, Deland, FL
Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
United States Military Academy, West Point, NY
United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD

You can check the complete list of these post-secondary institutions here.

Points to Note Before Applying

  1. For FLVS flex programs, students do not receive a diploma directly from FLVS.
  2. AP Capstone courses for high school students can be completed in a duration of two years. And students can earn an AP Seminar, an AP Capstone Diploma, or a Research Certificate from the College Board.
  3. All students who wish to enroll in the courses offered by FLVS must have a device/computer, a proper internet connection, a dedicated study space along with the necessary school supplies. Parents can check the minimum system requirements before enrolling.

Final Thoughts

FLVS is an online school that sets the students and their families free from the typical patterns of regular schools. However, if you are looking for transcripts directly through an accredited online school, most of its offerings (other than FLVS full-time) might not suit you. FLVS is a ​​K12 online school that can help you improve your knowledge and enhance your education.

Connect with the school to know more about its online programs. Website: https://www.flvs.net

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What are the features of the online high schools in the US?Ans) The ​be​st schools in the United States have student-centric designs, good educator support, and believe in stakeholder collaboration.
  • Is FLVS a good choice in comparison to the ​accredited online high schools?
    FLVS is a great choice for students in Florida, as it is free for them. For the ones outside Florida, this school also promises good educational standards and teacher handholding.
  • Is a ​​high school diploma issued by K12 online school like FLVS accepted by colleges?
    Yes! Duly accredited online high schools are legitimate. The academic credentials issued by them are acceptable at the next level of formal education.

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