In recent years, our commitment to providing alternative educational options has begun to pay massive dividends in our state. We are improving educational outcomes, and I believe that expanding parental choice has played a significant role in Alabama’s comeback story.
The reality is that every child learns differently. And every family’s situation is unique. Some students thrive in a traditional classroom while others need more flexibility to reach their full potential.
Often, individualized pacing or additional support can make all the difference.
Across the country, online public education has become an important option for parents. In Alabama, we have several options, including K12-powered academies: Alabama Destinations Career Academy, Alabama Virtual Academy, and Legends Virtual Academy.
These are public schools in public systems that allow parents to take a tailored approach to their students’ education. Let’s face it, some students need more than a traditional classroom can provide, and that is where online schools can make all the difference.
More than three million students have been served through K12 online programs nationally over the past 25 years. These programs offer college and career preparation, flexible individual courses, and opportunities for students to catch up, get ahead, or explore new interests.
For families facing frequent moves, health challenges, or safety concerns, online education provides stability and continuity. Think of military families and parents whose children suffer from serious illnesses or disabilities. We need educational options for every student and every family, regardless of their situation.
Alabama Virtual Academy, operated through Eufaula City Schools, has been serving Alabama students for a decade. Many of ALVA’s students come from military families or come from unstable living situations.
Despite those obstacles, chronic absenteeism is zero percent. It is proof positive that when we make education work for students, they show up, they learn, and their lives are changed.
Alabama Destinations Career Academy, a program within Chickasaw City Schools, has offered online options to students statewide for the past 6 years. The school currently serves an extremely high percentage of socioeconomically disadvantaged students, and once again, the school reports zero percent chronic absenteeism. These attendance numbers are an amazing accomplishment when compared to the statewide average.
In many unique situations, online school can increase student and parent engagement. It reflects what can happen when students are placed in environments that fit their needs.
Even newer programs, such as Legends Virtual Academy in Tuscaloosa County, are already serving English learners, students with disabilities, and families seeking alternatives that offer more flexibility while maintaining academic accountability.
All three academies are seeing significant enrollment growth. Since 2023, ALVA’s enrollment has doubled, and Destinations Academy has experienced similar growth. Combined, the K12 academies are educating nearly 11,000 Alabama students.
Despite receiving roughly 30 percent less funding, K12-powered academies are serving disadvantaged student populations in every Alabama House District. This program shows that innovation and flexibility can produce real results.
Opponents of school choice often claim that expanding choice will harm public schools or that the programs will fail to deliver on their promises. Time and again, those concerns do not materialize.
Destination Academy’s 2025–2026 Alabama state report card shows continued progress with an 89.26% graduation rate and an 80.99% College and Career Readiness (CCR) rate. These results represent a 4.52% increase in CCR rates and more than a 15% increase in graduation rates.
Similar progress is projected for Alabama Virtual Academy’s 2025 graduating class, with an expected graduation rate of 81.01% and a CCR rate of 70.16%, an 18-point increase year over year.
This progress is a testament to the K12 program’s innovative, responsive education model. By creating a shared CCR team and expanding career pathway opportunities, the academies have made tremendous strides in a short time.
School choice can increase parental involvement, improve student attendance, enhance educational outcomes, and, in some cases, improve students’ emotional stability. When parents are given a role in directing their child’s education, they step up to the plate.
It has always been about giving parents the ability to find tailored options that work best for their child, and in the most extreme cases, our online programs have been the best tool for accomplishing that goal.
The future of education in Alabama depends on our ability to innovate, think outside the box, and meet students where they are. Our K12 academies are among the greatest examples of our innovative approach to educating Alabama students.
State Rep. Terri Collins (D-Decatur) represents District 8 in the Alabama House of Representatives and serves as Chairman of the House Education Policy Committee.
