Virtual Academy End Of Year Impact Summary

We are dreaming BIG at SCF—not only for the local arts organizations we bolster but for the teachers and students making the most of every day in the classroom, too. How do we support them? Let’s answer that question with another: did you know SCF is home to the largest children’s literacy-focused digital arts education initiative in Virginia? Or that we offer it AT NO COST to teachers, students, and their families?

Here’s what you may already know:

The Virtual Academy is a digital hub (or tool) to support K-8 educators utilizing performance-based, arts-education videos, reinforcing learning in and out of the classroom. Digital performances are presented throughout the academic year in a range of topics, each accompanied by a curated study guide to maximize learning opportunities.  

All programming is curriculum-based and aligned with Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs) for K-8th grade levels. Additional programming is offered that is based on national standards of learning and helps teachers with students who are more transient in nature, such as children of military service people.

So, what was Virtual Academy like this year?

• We partnered with Honolulu Theatre for Youth (HTY) to bring you educational performances from their Emmy-award winning series, The HI Way. Each episode from HTY featured a mix of live performers and puppetry, focusing on social-emotional learning amongst other subjects. A big mahalo to our friends in Honolulu!

• Our friends from Bright Star Touring Theatre delivered again with enchanting theatrical storytelling. We explored a variety of featured favorites and brand-new shows. Thank you, Bright Star!

• We reached over 5,000 students with 18 programs. Themes included bullying prevention, literature, literacy, history, STEM, social-emotional learning, social studies, and more.

• To date, we have now served over 55,000 children and their teachers in Southeast Virginia and other portions of the state since Virtual Academy’s inception in 2021.
  

Here's what Virtual Academy teachers are saying:

“This performance will help develop the student's social emotional learning and help the students learn what to do if they feel they are being bullied.”

“In Language Arts, the students are exposed to different genres of stories and books. This would be a wonderful way to expose them to a different genre. Thank you!”

“I am always looking for unique ways to engage with our curriculum and I believe these performances will provide just that for my students. Many of my students have never attended a play or performance, so this program will provide the next best thing!”

The Virtual Academy is funded in part by the Helen G. Gifford Foundation. Thank you for generously sponsoring this program!

The Virtual Academy is funded in part by the Helen G. Gifford Foundation. Thank you for generously sponsoring this program!