Q How has the school year been going for students at the Wisconsin Virtual Academy, the online school contracted by the McFarland School District?

A Things have gone "remarkably well" so far for the virtual charter school in its first year of operation, said Leslye Erickson, the head of the school.

The McFarland School District contracted with the nonprofit Wisconsin Virtual Academy and K12 Virtual Schools to run and provide the research-based curriculum for the school, which has 488 students enrolled in kindergarten through high school.

Students come from all over the state, Erickson said, so orientations were held before school began to allow students, parents and teachers to meet face-to-face.

More outings will be scheduled as the year progresses, but other than outings and state testing times, students are free to learn on their own at any time of day.

Most of the students in kindergarten through eighth grade take four core and two elective classes, with the material all available online.

High school students have a catalog of about 150 classes to choose from, each with varying levels of difficulty. Extra help is available during times set by the teacher, Erickson said.

While the lack of social interaction was a concern for some parents new to online schooling, Erickson said it's rarely an issue for those used to it because they find other ways to make friends, such as through church or the YMCA.

"It's a great opportunity for the right student and the right family," she said.

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