Enthusiasm is in the air at Vichy Christian Academy. This year-round virtual school, based in Rolla, Missouri, opened its virtual doors two years ago and serves the needs of both full-time and part-time students.

Bob Whitaker, who started the school, spent some time talking with us about this innovative learning environment for Christian students. An administrator, principal, and teacher, Whitaker stays very busy and has standards for his students.

Whitaker started Vichy because there was a lack of quality Christian education options in the area. While it started as a distance learning school, Vichy is expanding this year by adding a physical location. This will give the students in close proximity the opportunity to come in and get one-on-one tutoring as they need it. It will also provide a base, or home, for the school. Currently, Vichy teachers work from home.

According to Whitaker, when school leaders began considering Switched-On Online®, they didn't jump in blindly. Their goal was to find a quality Christian curriculum that would provide their students with an education to help them excel in college and in life. Whitaker looked into the performance of college students who had used Alpha Omega curriculum in Missouri. He was excited to learn that they were excelling academically in their colleges. Vichy Christian Academy students have been using Switched-On Online since the school opened, and the school has utilized it in teaching students all over the state.

The students have responded enthusiastically to Switched-On Online. Most part-time students are high school students who come to Vichy Christian Academy to take an extra class or two but cannot fit them into their conventional school's schedule. According to Whitaker, Switched-On Online works perfectly for them, allowing them to earn their extra credits on their own time. Other students attend full-time.

Whitaker shared the story of one young lady who came to Vichy Christian Academy and was on track to become the valedictorian at her previous school. She chose Vichy because she felt compelled to leave her situation; her friends were going down a wrong path, and she felt the need to leave before she was influenced to follow them. As a rodeo athlete, she was also very excited about the opportunity Vichy gave her to compete in the rodeo circuit while keeping up with her schooling. She spread the word in the rodeo circuit about Vichy Christian Academy, and many others also enrolled. Thanks to Vichy, they can get a quality Christian education and still do what they love: compete in the rodeo circuit! Whitaker acknowledged that the enthusiasm from these students is unbelievable. The students' only real option before Vichy was to enroll in the state's online high school, which was six times more expensive than a course through Vichy Christian Academy. While enrolled at Vichy, these students are getting a Christian education at an affordable price.

Without Switched-On Online, Vichy would not be able to fill the needs of Christian students in their community, and even their state, as they do now. Congratulations, Vichy, on growing and serving so well these past two years! We pray that God continues to use you to bless the lives of these exceptional students.