Lopez Island Joins CVA

August 28,2012

The Lopez Island School District is the newest district partner to offer the Columbia Virtual Academy (CVA) program. “CVA is glad to welcome Lopez Island to its consortium of partners who are committed to keeping virtual learning fully public,” said CVA Superintendent Dr. Mark Selle. “Superintendent Bill Evans and his staff have a deep commitment to offering quality educational alternatives to their community and will be an excellent partner.”

Lopez School Superintendent Bill Evans said that by joining CVA as a partner, “Lopez School will be able to host students from around the state who desire the independence and alternative learning opportunity provided by a virtual school. We are excited to be able to offer this alternative to our own Lopez Island students and to virtually open the doors of Lopez School to students around the state.”

CVA offers thousands of quality curriculum choices, guidance from Highly Qualified Teachers, and the flexibility to accommodate diverse family circumstances to meet state educational standards. In addition, CVA is growing its Highly Capable and Special Services programs, including enhanced options for students who need to recover credits.

“CVA has a streamlined, high quality model that will allow us to deliver that same quality to students enrolled with us,” said Lopez Island K-12 Principal, Lisa Shelby.  

The new CVA partner district is located on Lopez Island on an archipelago among the picturesque conifer forests and rocky coastlines of the Puget Sound. Lopez School is a K-12 school, with an enrollment of approximately 220 students who attend the elementary, middle school, high school, and Decatur School, a K-8 one-room schoolhouse on neighboring Decatur Island.

“Lopez School has earned a reputation for its academic rigor and accomplishments,” said Evans. “Our almost one hundred percent graduation rate and attendance at post-secondary learning opportunities speak for themselves.” Evans noted that the Lopez Lobos also excel in all their athletic endeavors (soccer, volleyball, football, golf, basketball, and track) and Lobo athletes are often selected for Northwest B All League teams. “The Lobos consistently receive State Academic Sports awards,” he said.

CVA was founded in 2003 when the school board in rural Valley, Washington, established a program to meet the learning needs of families who, for various reasons, chose not to have their students attend a traditional brick-and-mortar school. In 2006, CVA began the partnership model, which is fully public, and serves families across Washington State.

“We look forward to being on the cutting edge of Alternative Learning Experience options in Washington,” said Shelby.