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Virtual Learning Academy
Virtual Learning Academy, nominated by Center on Reinventing Public Education and Clayton Christensen Institute, is an elementary/middle/high school in Exeter, New Hampshire, that describes itself as a public charter school serving learners from a primarily urban/suburban/rural area.
Location Exeter, New Hampshire
Governance Public Charter School
Grades Elementary, Middle, High
Students 11000
Locale Rural, Suburban, Urban
CEO Steve Kossakoski
Demographics
Percentage of students*
1%
English Learners
10%
Free/Reduced Lunch
13%
Students with Disabilities
African American or Black 1%
American Indian/Alaska Native —
Asian 2%
Hawaiian or Pacific Islander —
Hispanic or Latino 4%
White 90%
2+ Races —
Why Virtual Learning Academy was nominated
With online learning as the backbone, VLACS is now starting to scale offline 'experiences' during which students accrue CBE credits through real-world work with regional partners. The vision appears to take some of the best of online (flexibility, anytime anywhere, virtual educator relationships and performance assessments) while also unlocking F2F experiences that directly match with students' interests and allow for career exploration., VLACS is a pioneer in the virtual education space matching student activities to student goals through innovative approaches, including mastery-based grading, flexible schedules, and blending college and career preparation.
Student experience design
Customizable learning with one-to-one support from a caring teacher.
Core Practices
| Core Practices | Length of Use |
|---|---|
|
Career Exploration |
5+ years
|
|
Competency/mastery-based Education |
5+ years
|
|
Extended Learning Time |
5+ years
|
|
Individual Learning Paths |
5+ years
|
|
Self-paced Learning |
5+ years
|
All Practices
Advancement On Mastery
Student Advisories
AI For Teacher Productivity
Assessments For Career Readiness
Blended Learning
Career Advising & Support
College Advising & Support
Community And Workforce Partnerships
Early College High School
Grading Policies Focus On Mastery
Higher Education Partnerships
Industry-recognized Credentials
Industry-aligned Learning Pathways
Internships
1:1 Mentoring
Micro-credentials And Badging
Multi-age Classrooms
No Tracked Classes
Project-based Learning
Student-led Goal Setting
Students Develop Projects
Tutoring
Career Prep
key reasons for innovating
Better support a specific population of students
Improve academic achievement
Increase student agency
Date Updated: 4/1/2026
*Canopy profile data is self-reported or sourced from NCES data, then verified by school leaders.