Silicon Valley Flex Academy Now Open in Morgan Hill

New public charter school still accepting applications for students in grades 6-12

MORGAN HILL, Calif., Sept. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Tuesday, September 6, Silicon Valley Flex Academy (Silicon Valley Flex), a new public charter school, will open its doors for the start of the 2011-12 school year. Silicon Valley Flex is one of California's first full-time "hybrid" schools that combines online learning with onsite teacher support. Silicon Valley Flex is tuition-free and will serve students in grades 6 through 12.

Located in Santa Clara County, Silicon Valley Flex offers both onsite classroom instruction with highly qualified, credentialed teachers and award-winning curriculum developed by K12 Inc., the nation's largest provider of online school programs for students in kindergarten through high school.

Silicon Valley Flex incorporates an innovative blended learning model that combines traditional classroom instruction and online learning. Every student is given a customized learning plan, and will have greater freedom to progress through their individual learning plan at their own pace.

Students receive onsite instruction with highly qualified, California-credentialed teachers. Teachers provide professional insight, instruction, guidance and support to students. Silicon Valley Flex provides an engaging and personalized learning program designed to maximize each student's full potential.

Jean Southland, Silicon Valley Flex Head of School, said, "The blended model is an exciting change in education that allows for teachers to personalize learning through the use of the K12 curriculum. Students will have greater flexibility, more course options, and a caring school environment."

Students that enroll in Silicon Valley Flex will be able to take advantage of a robust catalog of high school courses, high quality academic programs, one-on-one tutoring, college and career counseling, and after-school programs and organizations.

Teachers and students have access to K12's curriculum, textbooks, onsite labs, assessment systems, and digital tools. K12 offers more than 150 core, elective, and AP® courses, plus a world language program with courses in Spanish, French, German, Latin, and Chinese. Each student will be provided with a laptop on loan from the school.

Mark Kushner, Executive Director of Flex Public Schools and a state charter commissioner for the last 10 years, added, "Blended learning schools similar to Silicon Valley Flex combine the best of both worlds. That is, the best of traditional schools – community events, sports, activities – and the best of online courses – self pacing and personalization. We are thrilled to bring this model to Morgan Hill and Santa Clara County!"

Students will attend five days a week for a full day of instruction. Silicon Valley Flex will have the same hours as traditional schools and plans to offer after school tutoring and extra-curricular activities.

More on Silicon Valley Flex, including student enrollment information, can be found at www.K12.com/svflex.

About Flex Public Schools and Silicon Valley Flex
Flex Public Schools is a California public benefit nonprofit corporation whose mission is to create outstanding schools where each child's full potential is developed with engaging, individualized online learning, and to help school districts and others replicate this innovative education model. Flex Public Schools hold the Silicon Valley Flex charter and is contracting with K12 Inc. for curriculum and services. Silicon Valley Flex is the second school to be opened by Flex Public Schools and uses the same innovative instructional model as San Francisco Flex Academy – the highly successful program that opened in the Bay Area in 2010 and the first of the Flex schools to launch.

About K12 Inc.
K12 Inc. (NYSE: LRN), a technology-based education company, is the nation's largest provider of proprietary curriculum and online education programs for students in kindergarten through high school.  K12 provides its innovative, award-winning curriculum and academic services to online public and private schools, traditional classrooms, blended school programs, and directly to families.  

K12 has provided over 1.5 million courses to more than 200,000 students worldwide, and has received numerous awards and honors for academic achievement and innovation.  Over 95 percent of parents surveyed are satisfied with the K12 program and agree that their children have benefited academically with K12.  

K12 is accredited through AdvancED, the world's largest education community.  K12 is an approved University of California provider, and graduates of K12 schools have been accepted into many University of California campuses, along with other prestigious colleges and universities. Additional information on K12 can be found at www.K12.com.  

SOURCE K12 Inc.