The terms virtual high school and virtual school have become buzzwords, frequently applied to any K-12 learning activity or program that uses the Internet or other technologies. If you ask 30 people to define a virtual school, you will probably get 30 different answers. A virtual school is here defined as "an educational organization that offers K-12 courses through Internet- or Web-based methods." Virtual K-12 education is a form of distance education. Distance education might be formally defined as "formal education in which a majority of instruction occurs while teacher and learner are separate" (Verduin and Clark, 1991), It includes delivery methods such as independent or correspondence study, as well as videoconferencing and other instructional technologies.

DLRN commissioned a study by Dr. Tom Clark of TA Consulting called Virtual Schools: Trends and Issues. Highlights of this study include the following facts:

• The trend from ‘virtual high schools’ to ‘virtual K-12 schools’ continues
• An estimated 40,000 to 50,000 students will enroll in a virtual school course in 2001-2002
• The most common tuition reported was $300/semester, but prices varied greatly
• Calculus AB was the online AP course offered by the most schools

Dr. Clark constructed a Virtual School List which includes only those entities which offer courses designed for K-12 learners and which offer at least some Internet- or Web-based credit courses. Using email, chat or support web sites (like many conventional college courses these days) isn't considered to constitute a "web-based course" in the context of this Virtual School List. Computer-based courses using CD-ROMs or software loaded on the student's computer for the main course delivery, another common method, is also not considered a "web-based course" application in this context.

To suggest a new listing, go to the Virtual School Survey page.