In 2002, the U.S. Department of Education’s Voluntary Public School Choice Program, which was established under the No Child Left Behind Act, awarded the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) federal funding to expand school choice for public school students and their families. Through the grant program, ADE opened the Arkansas Virtual School (ARVS) in January 2003 with partner K12, Inc., a for-profit company that delivers curriculum and instructional tools primarily to virtual charter schools. ARVS is now a public charter school - also called the Arkansas Virtual Academy (ARVA) - into which all Arkansas grade K-8 students can enroll. Approximately 39% ARVS students come from public education, 43% from home schools, 8% from private schools, and 11% of the students have no prior school experience. Students enrolled in ARVS learn the K12, Inc. curriculum and receive the following:

• computer system with printer on loan from ARVS;
• reimbursement for an Internet connection;
• a complete set of instructional materials;
• assessment tools for placement; and
• progress monitoring support.

ARVS is staffed by eight teachers who provide both instruction and guidance to students and parents. Teachers are assigned an average of 60 students. The lead teacher holds a smaller set of 33 students to provide additional help where needed.