There’s a Better Online School Experience
Florida’s First Tuition-Free Virtual Reality Charter School
There’s a Better Online School Experience
Optima Classical Academy is a tuition-free virtual reality public school for 3rd-8th grade Florida students. We use VR technology to solve the challenges of disengaged, unsocialized scholars. Our combination of VR technology and a time-tested classical education model produces better academic outcomes and scholars that love to learn.
Program Overview:
Optima Classical Academy strives to develop curiosity and a love of learning in our scholars. The virtual reality platform allows scholars to visit ancient Pompeii, stand in a future city on Mars, or see how atoms work from the inside. Best of all, they share the experience in real time with their classmates and instructors. Your scholar will receive a world class classical education including instruction in the principles of moral character and civic virtue.
As a virtual reality school, we use digital textbooks, audiobooks, videos, and rich media experiences to present information, address different learning styles, and develop academic skills. We also believe in the educational power of a great book and the value of the experience of handling pages and an engaging physical text as part of the reading process.
At OCA, your student is free to explore the world as never before, live in a community, and develop uncommon intellectual skills.
Live instruction taught by some of the best educators in the country.
Virtual reality and video-based lessons.
Physical engagement with great books.
Personalized instruction based on individual scholar needs.
TEACHER-PACED CLASSES
Using the headset and controllers provided by Optima Classical Academy, scholars receive live instruction each day between 8:00 AM and Noon inside the OCA Metaverse, our virtual reality classroom. Here, they experience an immersive, collaborative, and socially appropriate experience interacting with their classmates, their instructors, and the curriculum in a way unlike anything before.
Classes cover mathematics, language arts and reading, science, history and social studies – taught by some of the best educators in the country.
The learning environment can be anywhere in space or time and at any scale. Scholars visit ancient Pompeii, stand in a future city on Mars, or see how atoms work from the inside. Best of all, they share the experience in real time with their classmates and instructors.
INDEPENDENT LEARNING TIME
After the live portion of the instructional day, scholars have asynchronous learning, including their assignments for that day, that can be completed on their own schedule.
How much does Optima Classical Academy Cost?
“Optima Classical Academy is tuition-free. There is no cost to apply to the school and no cost to attend. Optima Classical Academy provides the VR equipment needed to attend classes as well as technical support.”
How Do I Enroll?
“Enrollment at Optima Classical Academy is just like any Florida public charter school. We select new scholars through a simple, free-to-enter random lottery. Once selected to attend, parents complete a paperless registration process. It’s that easy.”
What VR Technology does Optima Use?
“Optima Classical Academy scholars attend class and get instruction through VR technology. We provide the latest consumer-grade headset and hand controllers from Oculus loaded with our proprietary learning software. The tools are intuitive enough for scholars as young as 3rd grade to easily use after no more than a few minutes of instruction. By replacing the consumer software with our proprietary interface, we ensure the equipment is limited to the educational use intended.”
What is the Academic Calendar?
“We use Collier County Public School Calendar as Our Model.”
“Scholars holidays include Labor Day, Yom Kippur, Columbus Day, MLK, Jr. Day, President’s Day, Good Friday, and Easter Monday. “
“Breaks are the same as Collier County Public Schools. Please click here to view the CCPS calendar.“
Will OCA add any more grades beyond 8th?
“Our plan is to add grades 9-12 one year at a time so that no scholar at OCA will age out, or need to complete their classical education elsewhere once enrolled.”
Will OCA Add Grades K-2?
“OCA is very different from other virtual schools as we expect our scholars to operate as independently as possible. Our K-2 scholars require more parent involvement to complete scholar led activities. After grades 9-12 are added, then the implementation of grades K-2 will be explored. Please stay in contact.”
Will Optima Classical Offer any Field Trips or Clubs?
“Yes, Optima Classical will have several clubs, and may, from time to time, have in-person learning opportunities.”
What Portions of the School Day are Scholars in VR?
“Scholars attend live virtual reality instruction sessions in 30-to 45-minute increments. A real teacher delivers instruction synchronously to students in our social VR platform built for education. VR sessions are separated by study and break sessions and only happen during the first three hours of the day, four days a week.
Outside of the metaverse, students progress through their curriculum at their own pace with assignments utilizing both online materials and physical books giving them the experience of handling pages and engaging a physical text.”
Have a question? Want a personal meeting or to schedule a demo? We are here to help.
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