Local High School to Provide 21st Century Learning Skills

A technologically advanced curriculum has arrived at Immaculate Heart High School - bringing the cutting edge of educational advancements directly into the classroom. Immaculate Heart High School today announced that they will inaugurate a new online learning program which will offer their students access to over 200 online courses. This new program is made possible by a partnership with Virtual High School, a pioneer in online learning and course design at the high school level.

Beginning in the Fall 2007 Semester, Immaculate Heart will supplement its traditional course offerings with Virtual High School "NetCourses." Immaculate Heart students will be enrolled in rigorous online classes with a maximum of 25 participants from across the United States - some from other countries. NetCourse instructors are based in similarly diverse locations. NetCourses offered are as diverse as the locations and students who will be attending Virtual High School; examples of NetCourses include Contemporary Irish Literature, Criminology, Screenwriting Fundamentals, DNA Technology, and Sports and American Society

"This is a very important development for Immaculate Heart High School," commented the school's president, Thomas P. Long. "It will dramatically multiply the number and type of courses - particularly electives - that are available to our students. We are also enthusiastic about the opportunity VHS will afford our kids to interact on a thoughtful, academic level with students from various geographic, social, and economic backgrounds." According to Long, student mastery of the 21st-century information and technology communication skills built-in to their online learning represents valuable college and career preparation. "We have learned that the Center for Education Statistics claims that only 36% of school districts throughout the United States have students enrolled in online courses. This initiative puts Immaculate Heart ahead of the curve."

NetCourses will be conducted in Immaculate Heart's new state-of-the-art computer lab scheduled to open in August, 2007. Students will be able to access course offerings as diverse as Contemporary Irish Literature, Criminology, Screenwriting Fundamentals, DNA Technology, and A.P. Statistics. Mrs. Kay Shannon, IHHS technology director will serve as Immaculate Heart's site coordinator for Virtual High School, functioning in part as a liaison between students, teachers and VHS.

Immaculate Heart High School is a Catholic, coeducational, college preparatory school, grades 9 - 12, conducted by the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary since 1930. It is accredited by North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and the Western Catholic Education Association.

Founded in 1996, Virtual High School is a non-profit collaboration of high schools, teachers and students consisting of over 6,000 enrolled students, 324 member schools and 204 teachers in 27 states and 24 countries. Teachers who are certified in their specific discipline and, who have completed VHS's rigorous 15-week minimum professional development program, facilitate and continually monitor all courses. According to VHS statistics, 90% of VHS students complete their courses, as compared to a lag of 18-20% for traditional online courses, and 76% receive a grade C or better.

"We are incredibly excited to have Immaculate Heart High School as part of our consortium," said Liz Pape, President & CEO of Virtual High School. "VHS exists because of the support of schools like Immaculate Heart and their staff and students which continue to foster the growth of our community."