Come this fall, Union County, Tennessee will open its virtual classroom doors to new students, in grades k - 8, each seeking an alternative public school education instead of traditional school programs. This new online public school, the Tennessee Virtual Academy, is not only the first of its kind in the state, but also highlights a growing trend of providing parents with public school options and a curriculum that is detailed to their child's needs.

KnoxNews.com explains the school choice void that this new online academy fills: "Officials see this as an alternative for students who don't fit into the traditional classroom setting. It's also an option for parents who want a small learning environment for their children without the costs."

Just recently, The News Star reported that "parents' 'overwhelming' interest in virtual schools has one of Louisiana's two online charter schools, Louisiana Connections Academy, asking the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to allow it to double its enrollment." The growing demand for online schools across the nation represents a larger body of movement which demands greater options and choice for parents, when deciding their children's future.

 Education Week expands on this by pointing out that, out of the growing demand, other 'nontraditional' schools and programs are popping up all around the country, such as the San Francisco Flex Academy - a hybrid or blended charter school. "Loosely based on the idea of combining face-to-face education with online instruction, these hybrid charters can often look very different." Different types of programs are meant to suit differing educational needs.

Schools and programs in all shapes and sizes are finally offering students the educational experience that they want and deserve. The opening of the first online school in Tennessee marks great progress in providing greater school choice and an advanced, individualized education for each and every one of our nation's children.