DENVER — Chris Vance, principal of Center Virtual Academy, was honored April 4 by the Colorado Legacy Foundation (CLF) with a 2012 Legacy Award for innovation in education.

Dr. Helayne Jones, Gov. John Hickenlooper and Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia presented the award in the category of “Innovation Requires Innovative Thinking” at the 2012 Legacy Luncheon by CLF’s President and CEO,

“The Colorado Legacy Foundation believes that increased student achievement for all Colorado students requires effective leaders in every school, effective educators in every classroom, and healthy and engaged students who come to school ready to learn,” said Dr. Jones, President and CEO of the Colorado Legacy Foundation.

For the rest of the article, go to Center Virtual Academy principal honored with 2012 Legacy Awards

A pilot program — Grand River Virtual Academy — is an online curriculum that was attached to R-5 this year. Staff recruited students who had dropped out of school. The online program is currently being evaluated for effectiveness before adding the program permanently.

Students make a commitment to come to R-5 through a multi-step application process, Goetz said.

“We’re a school of choice. It’s a conscious decision,” she said.

Students go through an orientation process. Then, for nine days R-5 candidates must show a level of maturity and degree of self-motivation.

“Discipline is a far lesser issue here than in traditional high schools,” McGuire said.

For the rest of the article, go to ‘Turnaround’ status only part of the story at R-5 high school