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Options virtual school reports top performance, outlines service and expansion goals

Elkhorn Area School District Board of Education · December 16, 2025
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Summary

The district’s Options virtual program told the board it ranks among the state’s top virtual schools, has 40% of upper‑class students in college courses, and plans to expand Canvas, partnerships with Gateway and UW campuses, and a new senior seminar to improve retention and pathways.

At the Dec. 15 meeting, the principal of Options (self‑identified in the transcript) presented the virtual program’s accomplishments and next steps, telling the board that roughly 40% of juniors and seniors take college‑level courses.

The principal said the program has consistently exceeded the state average on school report cards and reported steady open‑enrollment growth. “Having 40% of our juniors and seniors in college level courses just shows that we're preparing them,” the principal said. Board members discussed ranking context: presenters placed Options in the state's top 10 virtual schools, noting comparisons with larger statewide virtual networks and explaining why a virtual charter’s open‑enrollment rules may exclude its score from the district report card.

Planned initiatives include expanded Canvas implementation at the middle school, year‑round recruitment and marketing (the district has engaged a marketing contractor, identified in materials as Misfit Girls, on a six‑month agreement), ongoing partnerships with Gateway Technical College and UW Whitewater, and a potential relationship with the University of Pittsburgh. The principal also described a new senior seminar covering life skills (FAFSA, resumes, interviewing) and an 'Options to Success' retention pathway to help students adapt to online learning.

Board members praised the school’s outcomes and expressed interest in the marketing rollout and continued partnership work. The board took no formal action on the presentation; several follow‑up items (marketing metrics and partnership updates) were noted for future reporting.