BlueSky Online School Media Kit
(Downloadable Word file of this page)
Background
- BlueSky Online School was founded in 2000, becoming Minnesota's first 100% online school.
- BlueSky Online School is a free public school open to Minnesota students in grades 7 - 12.
- As the pioneer of Minnesota's online high schools, BlueSky developed a proven model of education and graduated its first class of 17 students in 2005.
- BlueSky's enrollment has skyrocketed since that time, with nearly 800 students enrolled in the 2008-2009 school year.
- Students throughout Minnesota attend BlueSky Online School.
- Upon admission to BlueSky, each student is paired with a ‘home base' teacher, counselor and social worker.
- The ‘home base' teacher stays with that student until they graduate. This relationship provides continuity and support throughout that student's education and enables that student's teachers to address any special needs.
- Parents receive weekly updates by phone from their student's teachers. They also can contact their child's teacher whenever they want an update on their student's progress and achievements.
- BlueSky students do all their work on a computer via the internet and can access their classes any time, 24/7.
- BlueSky teachers are professionally trained and state-licensed, use multi-media teaching techniques, and help students plan for education after high school.
- BlueSky teachers communicate regularly with students by telephone, email, SKYPE and other multi-media channels to ensure each student receives the support and guidance they need.
- Students graduating from BlueSky receive a state-approved high school diploma.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is BlueSky Online School a "real" school?
Yes. BlueSky Online School is a "real," free, Minnesota public school with a state-approved curriculum. BlueSky Online School is open to all Minnesota students in grades 7-12.
How is BlueSky different from traditional high school?
BlueSky students do all of their schoolwork via a computer and the internet. They can access their assignments anytime, 24/7, from anywhere that has an internet connection. BlueSky uses a state approved curriculum, but is also able to add multi-media teaching techniques to offer students unique experience with state of the art communications and production media.
Where are BlueSky teachers located, and how much do they interact with students?
BlueSky teachers are professionally trained and state-licensed and are located throughout Minnesota, just like their students. BlueSky teachers, counselors and social workers all interact frequently with students via phone, email, SKYPE and other multi-media channels to ensure each student gets the support and guidance they need to be successful.
Who is the "typical" BlueSky student?
There is no "typical" BlueSky student. Students come from all walks of life, cultural backgrounds, and socioeconomic status and have different reasons for needing the flexibility and personalized attention of an online education.
Is BlueSky Online School recruiting students away from their home school districts?
BlueSky Online School is not seeking to lure students who have been successful in traditional schools away from their home districts! Many BlueSky students are students who have personal circumstances or unique needs that make attending a brick-and-mortar school difficult or even impossible. For example, some of our students are elite athletes training for high-level competition; others must work because of their family's financial situation; some are dealing with serious health issues. Some of our students would not be in school at all if it weren't for online schooling. We are simply providing such students with another, more flexible option for a high-quality education.
Can a student at BlueSky attend college, university or technical school through the Post Secondary Enrollment Options program (PSEO)?
Yes. Students doing high-quality work are encouraged to apply to the state PSEO program and earn college credit while obtaining their high school diploma. BlueSky Online School also offers online college-level courses through a partnership with Rasmussen College. BlueSky counselors also help students investigate colleges, universities and technical colleges to continue their education after graduating from BlueSky.
Do students receive a high school diploma or a GED when they graduate from BlueSky?
Students graduating from BlueSky Online School receive a state-approved high school diploma.
Media Contacts
Karen Kraco
320.309.5268 (cell)
kkraco@blueskyschool.org
Kris Patrow
952.851.7214 (direct)
651.492.1556 (cell)
kpatrow@tunheim.com
