Stellar Virtual Blog
The Rise of School Choice: How 24 States Are Expanding Educational Options for Families
This week, as we celebrated National School Choice Week, we recognize the progress made and the life-changing impact school choice has had on millions of students. From private school scholarships and charter school expansions to education savings accounts and open enrollment policies, families now have more opportunities than ever to find the right fit for their children.
Read more on the Stellar Virtual blog.
Why School Choice Matters: Empowering Families and Students
Each January, National School Choice Week shines a spotlight on the importance of educational options for families. It’s a time to celebrate the opportunities that come with empowering parents to choose the best learning environment for their children—because when it comes to education, one size doesn’t fit all.
Read more on the Stellar Virtual blog.
How AI Tools Enhance K-12 Learning Without Replacing Teachers
The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in education has brought exciting opportunities to enhance student learning, but it’s also raised questions for some parents. Will AI tools replace teachers? Does using these tools give students an unfair advantage? The truth is, AI learning tools are designed to support educators and empower students—not replace or undermine the foundational elements of education.
Read more on the Stellar Virtual blog.
Stellar Virtual Earns National Accreditation: A Milestone for Growth and Expansion
Stellar Virtual has achieved a significant milestone by earning national accreditation through the Cognia Global Accreditation Commission. This recognition places the school system among a distinguished group of educational institutions dedicated to quality and continuous improvement.
“Accreditation, as conferred by the Cognia Global Accreditation Commission, provides Stellar Virtual a nationally recognized mark of quality for our school system,” shared CEO and Founder Dori Fenenbock. “It demonstrates to our community our commitment to excellence, our willingness to enact meaningful change based on evaluation and feedback, and our desire to be the best we can be on behalf of the students we serve.”
Read more on the Stellar Virtual blog.
How Virtual Schools Empower Your Child with Flexible Learning
Let’s face it: no two kids learn the same way. Some thrive with hands-on activities, others love reading, and some are masters of juggling school with extracurriculars. That’s where virtual schools come in, offering a flexible, personalized way for your child to learn at their own pace. If you’re a parent exploring educational options, here’s why flexibility in virtual schools might be just what your family needs.
Read more on the Stellar Virtual blog.
Celebrating a Year of Growth and Success – Happy Holidays!
As the holiday season begins, we’re filled with gratitude and excitement as we reflect on what has been a banner year for our schools and community.
This year, we’ve celebrated tremendous growth, welcoming new families and students and expanding our reach to new states through partnerships that allow us to better serve learners everywhere. We’ve also introduced enhanced services to support our students’ success, ensuring they have the tools and resources they need to thrive.
Read more on the Stellar Virtual blog.
Why Live Lessons with Teachers Are Key to Helping K-12 Students Thrive in Virtual Learning
Our K-5 teachers are hosting Cocoa Friday next week as part of their daily morning meetings. It’ll be a chance to spread some holiday cheer before the winter break.
Although sprinkled with a bit of fun, these morning meetings play an essential role for virtual learners. Virtual learning has opened up exciting opportunities for students and families, offering flexibility and new ways to learn. But for some families, the personal connection, support, and structure that come with live lessons can mean the difference between thriving and failing.
Read more on the Stellar Virtual blog.
Finish Strong: End-of-Semester Motivation for Students and Families
As the end of the semester approaches, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by deadlines, projects, and exams. But this is also an incredible opportunity to finish strong, reflect on your achievements, and set yourself up for success in the next chapter of your academic journey.
Celebrate the Wins—Big and Small
Before diving into the final stretch, take a moment to reflect on everything accomplished so far this semester. Did you improve in a subject? Try something new? Meet a goal you set at the beginning of the year? Recognizing progress—no matter how small—builds motivation and reminds you that your hard work pays off.
Read more on the Stellar Virtual blog.
Digital Literacy Skills Every Virtual Student Needs
Digital literacy has become a cornerstone of success—especially for virtual students. Online learning offers flexibility and accessibility, but it also demands a unique set of skills to navigate digital spaces effectively. Whether you’re a first-time virtual student or a seasoned online learner, mastering these essential digital literacy skills can make all the difference in your academic journey.
Read more on the Stellar Virtual blog.
College Prep Made Easy: Top Scholarship Tips for Success
November is National Scholarship Month—a great time to focus on scholarship applications! College scholarships can help make higher education more accessible by covering essential costs, allowing students to pursue their goals without the burden of excessive debt.
Read more about how to navigate the scholarship process on the Stellar Virtual blog.
Celebrating Success—A Bright Future for Lone Star Virtual Academy Student Da'Taeveyon Daniels
Meet Da'Taeveyon Daniels — student by day and activist by night. Well, sometimes it’s activist by day and student by night.
“I’m nocturnal when it comes to school,” said the Texas Virtual Schools (TXVS) senior. “I’m able to stay up later and go through my lessons. Put on some good music and work throughout the night.”’
That flexibility to create his own schedule was what brought Da'Taeveyon to virtual learning and TXVS. Da'Taeveyon was recently named a 2024 QuestBridge National College Match Finalist.
Read more on the Stellar Virtual blog.
How to Promote Positive Digital Citizenship: Top Tips for Students to Combat Cyberbullying
This week, as part of Digital Citizenship Week, our students learned about responsible media and technology use. Knowing how to navigate online spaces safely is crucial for students. One pressing issue that comes up repeatedly is cyberbullying, which can be deeply harmful.
Understanding Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying involves repeated and unwanted harmful behavior or messages, often carried out through digital platforms like text messages, social media posts, and online chats. This behavior can include mean comments, threats, or harmful rumors. Knowing what constitutes cyberbullying helps students and adults recognize it when they see it. When people are aware of this, they can take action to stop it.
Read more on the Stellar Virtual blog.
The Importance of Company Culture: Why It’s Key to Employee Engagement and Business Success
A strong, positive company culture is among the most powerful tools for engaging employees. When people feel connected to their workplace values and trust their leadership, they are more likely to be motivated, enthusiastic, and productive. Employees who resonate with the company's mission are often more committed to their roles, which leads to increased job satisfaction and loyalty.
In an educational organization, culture becomes even more paramount. At Stellar Virtual, we often say that we aren’t selling widgets; we are helping shape the lives and futures of little humans. Our core values are ever-present in all decisions, actions, and experiences.
Read more at the Stellar Virtual blog.
October is National Principals Month: Celebrating Our School Leaders
October is a special time of year when we recognize and celebrate the outstanding efforts of school principals nationwide. National Principals Month allows us to express our appreciation for these dedicated leaders who work tirelessly to create positive and nurturing environments for students, staff, and communities.
Read more on the Stellar Virtual blog.
Why Attendance and Participation Matter in a K-12 Virtual School
Sept. 27, 2024
We all know how different online education can be compared to the traditional classroom. With more flexibility, a home-based environment, and fewer traditional structure constraints, it’s easy to overlook some basics. However, two pillars of student success remain as important in virtual learning as in a physical classroom: attendance and participation.
Read more on the Stellar Virtual blog.
Celebrating National Online Learning Day: Transforming K-12 Education
Earlier this week, we celebrated National Online Learning Day, which champions how technology has transformed education, including K-12 classrooms. It’s a day to acknowledge how far we've come, the flexibility it offers, and the unique opportunities it creates for students, educators, and families.
One of the most significant advantages of online learning is its flexibility. Unlike traditional classrooms, online learning allows students to work at their own pace, which is especially beneficial for K-12 students. Some students may need extra time to understand a concept, while others might be ready to move ahead. Online learning accommodates both, making it possible for each student to have a personalized educational experience.
Read more on the Stellar Virtual blog.
From One to Many: How Our Virtual School Became a National Leader
In just five years, Stellar Virtual has gone from operating a single school in Texas to becoming one of the top five virtual school operators serving K-12 students nationwide. When we first started, we faced significant competition. The educational landscape is filled with small, local virtual school operators and large, well-established institutions. Yet, despite these challenges, we’ve managed to carve out a space where we survive and thrive.
It’s an achievement worth celebrating, but it didn’t happen by accident. Our growth, from one school to five across three states—and the anticipated expansion to a dozen schools in eight states next year—results from relentless dedication to our core values and our mission to empower families and unleash potential. We are passionate about providing families a flexible, student-centered choice for high-quality and free education. “Kids First, Always” remains our guidepost. This collective effort and hard work by a team of dedicated educators and staff has fueled our growth, but it’s important to remember that we’re not just focused on expansion for the sake of expansion.
Read more on the Stellar Virtual blog.
Why More Families Are Choosing to Return to Virtual School
Aug. 23, 2024
In recent years, the landscape of K-12 education has seen a significant shift. Initially driven by the necessity of the pandemic, virtual schooling became a temporary solution for many families. However, as the world returned to a semblance of normalcy, some families opted to return to traditional brick-and-mortar schools. Yet, an emerging trend shows that many of these families are now choosing to return to virtual schooling. This shift back to online education highlights several factors that make virtual schools an appealing option.
This school year, we have noticed a spike in students who had withdrawn at the end of last school year and only asked to be reinstated just weeks into the new school year.
Read more on the Stellar Virtual blog.
Is Kindergarten Too Early to Start Talking About College and Careers?
“What do you want to be when you grow up?”
It’s a question that has echoed through generations, asked of us as soon as we could form a memory. Our answers probably changed 100 times before we even graduated high school.
While the question is simple, it hints at a much deeper and more complex conversation: When should we start talking to children about future career goals and, by extension, college?
Read more on the Stellar Virtual blog.
Stellar Virtual Student Receives State Recognition
Meet the next “Steve Jobs of AI technology.”
At least, that’s how soon-to-be eighth-grader Arjun Sharda would like people to think of him.
Arjun, a student at Texas Virtual Schools, was recently recognized by the Texas State Board of Education with the 2024 Student Hero Award. He was recognized for founding TLEEM, (Technology, Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Engineering, and Mathematics) club, which is open to students worldwide.
Read more about Arjun on the Stellar Virtual blog.
Texas Virtual Schools Celebrates Largest Graduating Class in School History
San Antonio, July 20, 2024 – Texas Virtual Schools (TXVS) proudly announces the graduation of its largest class to date, marking a significant milestone in the school’s history. The Class of 2024, consisting of 168 graduates, reflects the dedication and hard work of students, educators, and staff in navigating the challenges of online learning. This also was the first in-person graduation ceremony for TXVS.
“Our graduates have shown remarkable resilience and commitment to their education, adapting to the unique demands of a virtual learning environment,” said CEO and Cofounder Dori Fenenbock]. “We are incredibly proud of their achievements and excited to see where their futures will take them.”
Texas Virtual Schools has grown continuously since its inception in 2019. It offers a flexible and accessible education model that caters to a diverse student body. This year’s record number of graduates demonstrates the effectiveness and appeal of virtual schooling.