Georgia Virtual Academy (now known as Georgia Cyber Academy) - a program of Odyssey School - is a state funded, tuition-free online public school that provides children from grades K-8 a flexible, individualized approach to learning.

With the aid of highly qualified, state certified teachers, this online charter school is one of the fastest growing schools in Georgia (with 44,000 students in 2009) and uses the K12 curriculum to teach K-8 students four core subjects that include: Language Arts/English, Math, Science, and History.

Not to be confused with traditional homeschooling or other home study programs, Georgia Cyber Academy brings the public school into the student’s home via the Internet, workbooks, and other basic supplies needed to help them succeed.

In addition to the hands-on and print materials provided, scheduled parent/teacher conference calls and workshops are provided, teacher-guided gatherings and field trips for students and their families are set up, as well as online synchronized instructional opportunities are set in place.

This program also encourages a 'coming together' between families, neighbors and the Georgia Virtual Academy community by way of community service days, spelling bee, science fairs, and other exciting and educational gatherings throughout the year.

In short, Georgia Cyber Academy is a public school that operates outside the traditional brick and mortar classroom, in close partnership with a Georgia state-licensed teacher, an educational support system, the student, as well as their parents or guardians.

This program allows the student to work at his or her pace and shares the same commitment as the founder, Ron Packard, that "a child should be able to go through school and be prepared to be whatever they want to be in life." http://www.billbennett.com/michaelmedved/player.aspx?g=aHR0cDovL21lZGlhLnRvd25oYWxsLmNvbS90b3duaGFsbC9iZW5uZXR0L1Jvbl9QYWNrYXJkLm1wMw^!^^!^

According to Matt Arkin, Head of Georgia Cyber Academy, this online charter school “is committed to providing the same high-quality public education that has been available to families across Georgia” to children who require schooling in the convenience of their own homes. http://www.k12.com/gca/who-we-are/letter-from-our-head-of-school/new-name-gca/ <ref/>

Founded in July 2007, Georgia Cyber Academy - then known as Georgia Virtual Academy - was born when the "Georgia State Board of Education approved an amendment to the charter of Odyssey School, a publicly funded state-chartered special school located in Coweta County, to create a program of the charter school, the Georgia Virtual Academy (GVA)."

This virtual charter school was created to provide a "full-time, comprehensive academic program of K-8 virtual instruction in partnership with K-12, Inc." http://www.heir.org/modules/news/article.php?storyid=31 <ref/>

• January 1, 2010, Georgia Virtual Academy experienced a name change to Georgia Cyber Academy (or GCA)

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• education software

• textbooks

• workbooks

• print materials

• hands-on materials such as CDs, microscopes, seeds, and magnets

• support from state-certified teachers

• socialization via group activities and field trips with other GVA students