Switching to VSA
Changing Schools? You Don’t Have to Wait
When your child’s school stops being the right fit, waiting months for a fresh start can feel impossible. VSA welcomes new students throughout the year, and a Family Consultant can help you find the right next step.
On This Page
You’re Not the First Family to Make This Choice
Deciding to leave a school is rarely part of the plan. Sometimes it follows one hard week. Sometimes it’s the quiet result of a year of small worries. Either way, it’s a heavy decision, and it’s natural to feel unsure, even while you feel sure something has to change.
Many VSA families never pictured themselves choosing online school. They found that their children could keep the things they valued about school: real teachers, real classmates, clear expectations, and an accredited diploma.
And they gained something they’d been missing: a closer view of their children’s learning, and an education grounded in a Christian worldview from the first class of the day to the last.
We were both products of public schools… We understood the traditional school experience, and we worried about what our son might be missing. Would he develop meaningful friendships? …
K. Compton, VSA parent
It was as though our son had finally found his people.
When Can We Start?
VSA accepts new students throughout the year. Here are the three most common starting points.
Start Now
Right Away
You don’t have to wait for a new semester. Students can join classes already in progress. Every class is recorded, so your child can watch the lessons they missed, and teachers help plan any makeup work.
Start in January
At the Semester
The second semester begins in late January, right after midterm exams, and many families find it a natural fresh start.
Part-Time students begin with the second semester and pick up each course from there. Full-Time students either bring in first-semester credits from their current school or complete both semesters for full credit, and your Family Consultant will help you see which fits.
Start Next Fall
For the New School Year
Consultations for new full-time students begin in December, and registration for new part-time students opens in February. Enrolling early means you’re ready the day registration opens.
Not ready for full time? Many families begin part-time, with one or two live courses alongside their own homeschool. When the time is right, they move into the full-time Diploma Program, with a complete course plan, an Academic Advisor, and an accredited diploma. Learn about the Diploma Program
How the Switch Works
Changing schools can feel complicated. Here’s the whole process, one step at a time.
Talk With a Family Consultant
Request a free consultation, and a Family Consultant will reply within 24 hours. They’ll listen to your child’s story and your goals for the year ahead.
Find the Right Placement
We’ll review your child’s records, and we may ask for a short placement test so your child starts in the right courses.
Review Credits
We review the courses your child has already completed and decide which credits transfer.
Enroll
Review our Terms and Conditions and register. Full-Time students also pay the yearly Diploma enrollment fee. That’s it: your child is a VSA student.
Build Your Child’s Plan
Full-Time families meet with their Academic Advisor to build a course plan and register for classes. Part-Time families work with a Family Consultant, and those who add Enhanced Family Consultant services get extra academic guidance and weekly grade monitoring through the year.
A Family Consultant walks with you through every step, so you always know what comes next.
Catching Up Without Falling Behind
Joining a class mid-year can feel like walking into the middle of a conversation. It’s a fair worry, and it’s one our teachers know well. Here’s what helps new students find their footing:
- Recorded classes. Every live class is recorded, so your child can watch the lessons they missed.
- A plan from the teacher. Teachers work directly with new students to decide what makeup work is needed.
- Assignment sheets. Each course posts a clear list of what’s due and when.
- An Academic Advisor. Full-Time students have an advisor who checks in and helps keep the year on track.
Here’s what to expect. Students who join after the first two weeks are responsible for learning the material covered so far, but the assignments they missed are exempt. They’re welcome to complete them, and those grades won’t count against them. The first few weeks take some extra effort. With a plan in place, most students settle in well, and many tell us they’re glad they didn’t wait.
Credits, Transcripts, and Records
What to Have Ready
Your child’s most recent report cards or transcripts, plus any standardized test scores. If your child has an IEP, a 504 plan, or another learning plan, bring that too.
How Credits Transfer
For students in grades 9-12, we review completed courses during admissions. Credits we accept appear on your child’s VSA transcript marked “T” for transfer.
An Accredited School
VSA is accredited by the Middle States Association, so your child’s VSA courses and diploma are recognized by colleges and other schools.
A note on state requirements. VSA is an accredited private school, and each state has its own rules for students enrolled in an online private school. In some states, families also register as homeschoolers. Your Family Consultant can point you in the right direction, and this article explains more: Is My Student Considered a Homeschooler When in the Diploma Program?
What Switching Parents Often Wonder
If online school is new to your family, you probably have questions. These are the ones we hear most.
Will online school feel like real school?
Our classes meet live, with a teacher and up to 20 classmates. Students raise their hands, answer questions, and discuss ideas together, the same way they would in a classroom.
Will my child make friends?
Students see the same classmates every week, and many friendships grow from there. Clubs, field trips, and our End-of-Year Gathering bring students together outside class, too.
How much time will my child spend on a screen?
Each course meets live twice a week, and much of the rest of the work happens with books, paper, and pencil. Your Family Consultant can show you what a typical week looks like for your child’s grade.
Will the work be too hard?
VSA is rigorous, and we take care to start each student in the right place. Placement, teachers, and your Academic Advisor or Family Consultant work together so your child is challenged without being overwhelmed.
Questions About Switching
Can my child start in the middle of a quarter?
Yes. Students can join classes already in progress. Those who join after a class’s first two weeks catch up using the recorded classes and a makeup plan from each teacher.
What does it cost to start mid-year?
Part-Time students who enroll for the second semester pay half the course price for half the credit. For Full-Time students, your Family Consultant will walk you through costs based on your child’s start date and course plan. You can see full-year prices and build a sample plan on our tuition page.
Should we withdraw from our current school first?
We recommend talking with your Family Consultant or Academic Advisor before you withdraw. Once your child’s placement and start date are set, you’ll know exactly when to make the change.
Can we start part-time and move to full-time later?
Yes, and many families do. Starting with a few live courses is a wonderful way to get to know our teachers and classes. When you’re ready, your child can move into the full-time Diploma Program, and a Family Consultant will help you plan the step.
Can we use ESA funds if we start mid-year?
It depends on your state’s program and its deadlines. VSA is an approved provider in several state ESA programs, and a Family Consultant can help you think through timing. See how ESAs work at VSA.
What if my child has an IEP or learning differences?
We offer educational accommodations for students who need them. Bring your child’s current plan to your consultation so we can talk through the right support. Learn about educational accommodations.
Let’s Talk About What’s Next for Your Child
A Family Consultant will listen to your child’s story, answer your questions, and help you find the right starting point, whether that’s next week or next fall.
