FAQ
Enrollment
What is Arkansas School Choice?
Arkansas School Choice is the period where parents can apply for their children to attend a school outside of the school district in which they reside.
There are no fees. River Valley Virtual Academy (RVVA) is a tuition-free public online school.
Who can apply?
During the Arkansas School Choice open enrollment period we can accept students statewide in grades K–12 who are under the age of 21 and are interested in taking all classes online through RVVA. Once the School Choice period has closed, we can only accept students from the Van Buren School District.
How do I apply?
To begin the enrollment process, please complete our form to sign up for a 2-Week Orientation, which allows you to try our program before enrolling. You may also apply in person at RVVA, or apply directly to the nonresident school district.
Are there enrollment restrictions?
Yes. An applicant over the age of 21 or who is not in grades K–12 will not be accepted to the program. RVVA is a program for students in grades K-12.
Is RVVA’s online program a good fit for my student?
The online student must take responsibility for his or her own learning. In any online education program, the student must be a self-directed learner, have internal motivation to manage his or her own learning during the course of study, and have a basic grasp of Internet navigation. RVVA requires students to make the appropriate time for their coursework in order to succeed.
How Does RVVA Work?
How does our online school work?
Because our courses are 100% online, we are able to offer our students the flexibility that they might not receive in a traditional school setting. Our online curriculum is rigorous, engaging, and self-paced. Arkansas-certified teachers are on-demand in real time via phone and WebMail. Students have the option to meet weekly in person with an RVVA teacher. Meetings are not required.
When do I attend class?
Just as in a traditional school, students must engage in their coursework regularly and show weekly progress. Students may log into their courses any time of the day or evening. Failure to attend courses regularly may result in withdrawal from the program.
How quickly can I move through the course?
Students attend 178 school days in the traditional setting. However, you have the ability to move through the course at your own pace.
Accreditation, Graduation, and Diploma
Is RVVA accredited?
Yes. To offer this high-quality online school program to students, we have partnered with Pearson, a leading education company that has provided virtual instruction to students worldwide for more than a decade. The program is accredited by AdvancED and is nationally and regionally recognized.
Do I still have to participate in Arkansas End of Instruction Exams?
Students will participate in a statewide program of educational assessments. The ACT Aspire end-of-year summative assessment will be used to assess students during the Spring semester on-site at the RVVA. Please call 479-471-3165 for more information.
Attendance Costs
What is the cost of taking online courses?
RVVA offers its courses FREE for students who meet the qualifications of the program.
How can it be offered at no cost?
In the state of Arkansas, the same funding used for traditional students can be used for online students; therefore there is no fee for taking online courses at our school.
What if I can’t afford Internet service or do not have a computer?
It is required that students have access to Internet service and a computer in order to complete their courses. If you do not have access to the Internet and a computer, you may check with your local library, boys and girls club, or community organization to see if they have a computer and Internet access you can use.
Can I take classes part-time and still be a part of RVVA?
At this time, RVVA is accepting only full-time students.
Qualifying as a Student
Is online learning for me?
The online student must take responsibility for his or her own learning. In any online education program, the student must be a self-directed learner, have internal motivation to manage his or her own learning during the course of study, and have a basic grasp of Internet navigation. RVVA requires students to make the appropriate time for their coursework in order to succeed.
Are there any age restrictions?
Yes, students under the age of 21 are eligible to participate in the program. Some other restrictions may apply.
What grade levels does RVVA serve?
RVVA serves students in grades K – 12.
Teaching and Curriculum
Who is my teacher?
Your teacher for each course is an Arkansas-certified teacher who has experience teaching online courses. Your first introduction to your teacher will be in a welcome phone call once your enrollment is approved. Your teacher will give you an overview of the course and answer any questions you have.
How can I contact my teacher?
Students have the option to meet in person weekly with an RVVA teacher. RVVA teachers can be contacted via email, webcam, and in-person at the RVVA.
What do I need to do to succeed in a RVVA course?
When you take an online course you need to prepare yourself as you would for any course in a classroom setting. The key differences are that your teacher is online and not face-to-face and your lessons are on a computer. In an online course, time management is critical to success because most activities can be accomplished asynchronously, which means you do not necessarily have to be online at the same time as your instructor or other students.
What materials are needed in order to take RVVA courses?
Because all of the courses offered by RVVA can be taken 100% online students will need Internet access and a computer. All of our courses can be accessed through dial-up Internet access, but high-speed access is recommended.
Technical Requirements
What type of software or hardware will I need on my computer in order to take a course?
There are basic software and hardware requirements. View system requirements.
Do I need a high-speed connection?
You can successfully access all of our courses with a dial-up Internet connection but we recommend high-speed access for the best experience.
