New Hampshire Digital Learning Landscape
Virtual Learning Academy Charter School, a DLC State Affiliate, was instrumental in conducting the research for this profile.
| State virtual school? | YES |
| Multi-district fully online schools? | ONE |
| Online learning requirement for graduation? | NO |
| State approval process for online providers? | NO |
| State approval process for online courses? | NO |
New Hampshire has a statewide virtual charter school, Virtual Learning Academy Charter School (VLACS), which plays a role similar to that of other state virtual schools in that it primarily provides supplemental courses to students. Most digital learning activity in the state is through VLACS, which serves grades K–12. In SY 2020-21 it served 12,837 students.
Although VLACS enrollment numbers come largely through supplemental courses, the number includes 551 full-time middle and high school students during the 2020-21 SY. Students can take all of their courses through VLACS while remaining enrolled in their home district or receive a diploma from VLACS upon completion of coursework. Homeschooled students are considered a part-time VLACS student and may take up to six credits per year.
VLACS is the only competency-based state virtual school we are aware of in the US, where students progress as they demonstrate mastery of academic content. There is no pre-determined timetable for course completion. Instead, students take the time needed to satisfactorily complete the course material. Acceleration is allowed, and a student who requires extra time to meet a competency is given that flexibility.
Currently, all New Hampshire charter schools, including VLACS, receive funding for each FTE, which is defined as a unit of 12 completed half-credit courses. VLACS receives funding from three sources: state education aid, out-of-state tuition, and grants. As a competency-based school, VLACS does not receive funding based on seat-time / attendance, but receives funding based on course / competency completion percentages (i.e. if a student completes 30% of the course, VLACS will receive 30% of the funding).
New Hampshire Career Academy, a collaboration between the New Hampshire Department of Education and Community College System of New Hampshire, gives students an option to earn a high school diploma, an Associate's Degree, and industry credential over a two-year program at no tuition cost. It also includes a job interview with a New Hampshire employer. Students enter the program at the start of their senior year of high school.
State Policies
No major legislation impacting online and/or blended learning was passed January through August 2022.