By Louise Cannon, Staff Writer, North County Times
OCEANSIDE ---- A local charter school announced this week that it will work with a new Internet-based high school through National University to offer classes to students who want more flexible schedules.
Pacific View Charter, a 5-year-old program for kindergarten-through-12th grade, already offers independent study classes for its 300 students. Typically, students work with their parents on assignments in major subjects, such as math and language arts, and meet with a teacher once a week.
Offering courses through National University's Virtual High School, which opened in April, will give students more choices, said Principal Gina Campbell.
"We thought this was a great partnership," she said. "It creates another avenue for our students."
The university contacted Pacific View this summer, offering the Oceanside school a 50 percent discount on tuition for students who enroll in the new program. The university usually charges tuition of $600 a class for its online high school courses such as English and algebra, and a few electives such as animation and digital photography.
The charter school will pay the $300 tuition for each student who enrolls in one of the online courses. Students pay none of the tuition costs.
Campbell said she likes the program because although it is online, thus in tune with the charter's independent study model, it allows students to interact with teachers through Internet chats.
Students enrolled in the Virtual High School usually have to log into the class at specific times throughout the week in lieu of attending an actual class, according to National University spokesman Hoyt Smith.
Campbell said she would like to see clusters of Pacific View students sign up for the same online classes so they can study together. Students who do not have computers at home will be allowed to use the computers at Pacific View to attend online classes and complete assignments.
Contact staff writer Louise Cannon at (760) 901-4151 or [email protected].
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