Oregon, WI Schools to Consider Virtual Classroom Integration

Gena Kittner:

Fresh air and sunshine stream from large windows into the brightly painted basement of Jennifer Schmitt’s two-story home where she teaches seven students ranging from first to seventh grade a geometry lesson. Later the students scatter to separate whiteboard-topped tables to work puzzles or to pillow-padded nooks to read.

“Scholars, listen up!” Schmitt said as she gathered the students back together after a break to resume their studies.

It’s 8:30 a.m. and the “Schmitt Academy” is in full swing.

Schmitt’s students are either home schooled or take classes online through one of the state’s several “virtual schools.” They go to Schmitt — a certified teacher whose two youngest children attend a virtual school — for lessons in math and language arts.

Her operation, now in its fifth year, demonstrates the growing popularity of classrooms that go beyond the traditional brick and mortar.