Cold weather doesn't stop learning at Michigan Virtual

When it’s cold out. Really cold. Like it has been often this winter. Many schools shut down. That’s not news to anyone in Michigan, but Michigan Virtual online learning students are warm and toasty on those days, sitting in front of their laptops while logged into courses ranging from Algebra to Forensics to AP Physics.

You see, schools are open to online learners from Alpena to Zeeland and everywhere in between on those days. That’s because Michigan Virtual has never had a snow day and never will!

When I think of ”school” I think of learning, not a physical building. Unfortunately, when we experience an arctic blast, public school buildings in the state of Michigan close. Most students enjoy the closings, but if we want to be competitive as a state, we need to be creative and think about how we can extend learning opportunities even when transporting children to and from school is unsafe.

Michigan Virtual is one of the largest nonprofit virtual schools in the nation. It uses Michigan certified instructors and provides online learning options that supplement, not replace, what is currently being offered at local schools. Michigan Virtual does not directly grant credit or diplomas to students, but works in partnership with more than 500 schools across the state of Michigan.

With only six snow days allotted per school year, some Michigan students will be spending more time in the classroom than expected come the end of the school year in June. If more students were learning online in February, there might be more students enjoying the sunshine in June.

Check out online learning at Michigan Virtual, where learning doesn't stop when the wind chill is minus 30.