CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. — The Virtual Preparatory Academy of West Virginia has enrollment nearing 600 students for the next school year that will begin this fall.
The VPrep School Board met Wednesday to go over some numbers.
“We have a very strong start to our enrollment and where we’re wanting to be by that Oct. 1 count date,” VPrep Head of Schools Dr. Megan Nason told the board.
Nason said there are currently 577 students enrolled for next year. She said that’s ahead of their target at this point in the enrollment period. Nason said 536 families have indicated their students will return to VPrep next year.
The board learned Wednesday the academy, which is based in Charles Town, is projected to end the fiscal year with a $2 million surplus.
Students in Grades 3-8 were recently tested under supervision from the state Department of Education. VPrep Elementary School Principal Gabrielle Burriss said they’ve been able to see some of the results and she said there will be significant increases.
“We saw growth that you don’t see in schools,” Burriss said. “It was across the board. We saw a lot of growth. In some elementary grade levels, our students are performing 10 percent higher than the average student in West Virginia.”
Burriss credited the work of the students, their families and virtual academy teachers.
“It is just so wonderful to see that when you truly dedicate your time to help our students you’ll see those results come through.” Burris said. “It’s true from grades 3-8 we saw wonderful growth and I couldn’t be more proud of them.”
The full test scores will be released later this year.
One VPrep Academy middle schooler is a member of the latest class of the Knights of the Golden Horseshoe after scoring on the exam that focuses on West Virginia history. A high school student is planning to attend one of the Governor’s Schools this summer.
VPrep Academy’s high school graduation is set for 10 a.m. Friday at Fairmont State University.