IVSA Newsletter

As we look ahead to 2026, I’ve been thinking about pinecones and what they quietly represent. Pinecones hold seeds that may not open immediately; they wait for the right conditions to grow. In many ways, that mirrors the work we do in virtual education every day.

Our students arrive with different stories, challenges, and timelines. At IVSA, we work to create the right environment with flexibility, support, high expectations, and connection, so that each learner can open, grow, and exceed what they once thought possible.

As we head into a new year (school begins today for IVSA), I imagine us holding two pinecones: one represents where our students have been, and the other represents where they are headed. Between them is HOPE, hope for something new, hope for a fresh start, and hope grounded in opportunity and possibility.

In our virtual classrooms, HOPE shows up as personalized pathways, caring adults, and the belief that growth is always possible. Together, we continue planting seeds for learning, confidence, and success, knowing that with the right support, great things take root.

Melissa Lundgaard

IVSA Executive Director

REGISTER HERE

WHEN: Monday and Thursdays, 6:30-7:30pm

WHERE: Students will meet with Mr. Krepel in Zoom. Click here for link: IVSA Spanish Learning Lab

WHAT: If your student is currently enrolled in a Spanish course, the Learning Lab offers:

• 🎯 Extra practice and support from IVSA’s Spanish instructors
• 💬 Conversation to assist in their coursework
• 🌟 Assistance on topics that students may not fully understand

For students seeking to earn semester PE credit while building life-changing resilience and mental and physical well-being skills, EmpowerU is the perfect fit. Designed for students who may be struggling with anxiety, motivation, stress, or peer challenges, and need extra support to set and meet physical and/or health wellbeing goals, EmpowerU provides strategies for how to meet them and stay on track. EmpowerU transforms mental wellness into measurable academic progress.

Digital Photography I: Have you wondered how professional photographers manage to capture that perfect image? Gain a better understanding of photography by exploring camera functions and the elements of composition while putting theory into practice by taking your own spectacular shots! Learn how to display your work for exhibitions and develop skills important for a career as a photographer.

Digital Photography II: Let’s further develop your photography skills by learning more professional tips, tricks, and techniques to elevate your images. Explore various photographic styles, themes, genres, and artistic approaches. Learn more about photojournalism and how to bring your photos to life, and using this knowledge, build a portfolio of your work to pursue a career in this field!

Agriscience I: The word “agriculture” often evokes images of farms, fields, and livestock, and while all of these representations are correct and essential, the field of Agriculture is so much more! In Agriscience I: Introduction, you'll explore how agri scientists play key roles in improving agriculture, food production, and the conservation of natural resources along with the technologies used to keep the field thriving. Are you ready to explore the diverse careers in agriscience and how you can prepare to positively impact the planet? Let’s get growing!

Agriscience II: Have you ever strolled past a bright green cauliflower at the market and paused to ponder its unusual color? Ever wonder why “broccolini” is suddenly a thing? Well, if you find yourself curiously questioning these, and other, peculiar vegetables and wondering about the role of agriculture in the modern world, Agriscience II is for you. Learn how science and technology are revolutionizing our food supply and promoting innovative ways to produce healthy plant-based foods, such as developing better hybrids and growing edible plants in challenging places. Food is our most essential resource; see how plant science will change the face of eating in the 21st century and give us the knowledge to continually improve our green thumbs!

Veterinary Science: Whether you want to step into the wild side of veterinary medicine or just take care of loveable dogs and cats, explore how to care for domestic, farm, and wild animals, diagnose their common diseases and ailments, and learn about different veterinary treatments. If you have always been drawn to the world of our furry, scaly, and feathered friends, this is the course for you!

We are excited to invite Tier 1 and Tier 2 High Schools to participate in a new dual credit program — a collaboration between Illinois Virtual Schools and Academy (IVSA) and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The university’s Dual Credit Learning Accelerator is partnering with IVSA to pilot four Illinois Dual Credit courses during the 2026–2027 and 2027–2028 school years to qualifying schools.

Through this initiative, students can earn both high school and college credit simultaneously.

The pilot includes four popular 100-level general education courses from the University of Illinois:

● ASTR 150: Killer Skies: Astro Disasters

● SPED 117: The Culture of Disability

● MACS 100: Introduction to Popular TV & Movies

You can view the full course menu with course descriptions on the Learning Accelerator website.

To express interest, please reach out to IVSA, and we will be in touch with next steps.

We look forward to working with you to expand access to high-quality dual credit opportunities!

CLICK HERE to read more about the Partnership!

✅ Elementary, Middle & High School Courses
✅ Credit Recovery
✅ AP Options
✅ Flexible Scheduling
✅ Licensed Illinois Teachers

✅ Teacher Shortage Solutions for Districts

• Full-Time Academy - We offer a highly supportive full-time virtual learning option for students.
• Next Chapter - Our Brand New Credit Recovery Program
• Single Course Offerings - Choose original credit or credit recovery courses in Core Subjects, Electives, World Languages, Business and CTE courses and more.
• Teacher Shortage Solutions - Are you experiencing a teacher shortage that may eliminate programs and courses. IVSA offers synchronous and asynchronous instruction options for full classes.

We have begun to partner with several schools that have a virtual block that allows students to take Credit Recovery, Core, Honors, AP, CTE, Electives, PE, or Health as needed. You provide the space, a virtual learning facilitator, and we provide the teacher, rigorous content. If you are a public school, all enrollments are eligible for reimbursement through the Illinois Virtual Course Catalog.

If you have a need for IVSA to support your school with TSS, please fill out this TSS intake form to let us IVSA know what needs you are anticipating. Filling this out does not bind you to using IVSA, but we can begin to explore this partnership.

As we prepared for the 2025–2026 school year, we invited our Partner Schools to join us for training and IVSA updates. If you are a new School Partner or even a new additional to the school and need additional assistance in navigating our SIS, please send in a request to support@ivsaschool.org and our Operations Team will set up a time to train you on the IVSA SIS.

Registration for our JANUARY COHORT is OPEN! Do you have a student who would thrive with a flexible learning solution? Enroll your student today.

We have a new way that you can follow your student's IVSA course(s) by creating an observer account in our learning management system, Canvas. Please use the HELP GUIDE to walk you through this.

January 5: Teacher Work Day - No LIVE Sessions

January 6: First Day of Semester 2

January 19: MLK Day - No LIVE sessions

February 16: President's Day - No LIVE sessions

March 23-27: Spring Break - No LIVE sessions

The mission of IVSA is to partner with local Illinois schools to provide engaging and supportive online educational experiences to meet the needs of all learners.

Any Questions? Reach out to info@ivsaschool.org

Website: https://ivsaschool.org/

IVSA Phone Number: 866-890-IVSA (4872)