State of Maine approves new virtual high school program

The Maine DOE has granted the Virtual High School (VHS) Collaborative approved online learning provider status. The Department has found VHS courses to meet the State’s standards, enabling middle and high schools statewide to partner with VHS.

VHS aims to provide students with access to high-quality online and blended learning experiences, while supporting educators with the professional development and resources they need to offer an effective 21^st century education to every student. VHS schools have access to a range of core, elective, AP® and gifted and talented courses at the middle and high school levels.

Since 2002, VHS has been partnering with middle and high schools in Maine to expand educational opportunities and level the playing field for students statewide. Currently, nearly 50 schools in Maine utilize VHS courses.

“This approval enables us to bring our award-winning model to more Maine schools,” said Jeffrey A. Elliott, CEO of VHS. “The need for our courses throughout the state is great, especially in less populated areas where it is difficult for schools to provide students with comprehensive opportunities. As an approved online provider, schools can easily work with us to offer a wide array of courses which provide authentic, collaborative learning experiences and help prepare students for college and careers.”

Sacopee Valley High School in Hiram is now entering its seventh year as a VHS member. “As a small, rural school of only 350 students, we don’t have the resources to offer a ton of in-person AP courses or electives,” said Dorothy Maxwell, VHS site coordinator and teacher at Sacopee Valley. “By partnering with VHS, we’ve been able to level the playing field and have seen a tremendous increase in our student enrollment in AP courses. I really feel like we are setting our students up for success by offering this program to our students and am excited to see more Maine schools have the ability to do the same.”

More information

• Carol Arnold
  VHS Contact, Arnold Communications
  877-718-4604 (ext. 2)
  carol@arnoldcomm.com