Academics
Middle School Academics
At Arkansas Virtual Academy (ARVA) by K12, your student will learn to manage their time, think critically, and develop real-world skills. Open to Arkansas students in grades K–12, ARVA is a Cognia-accredited tuition-free online public school that uses the trusted K12 curriculum.
Interactive Learning for Middle School Success
Empowering Independent Learners
By blending structured learning with independence and accountability, our Cognia-accredited online school helps your middle schooler develop academic and social skills they’ll use now, in high school, and beyond.
Inside the ARVA Classroom
Subjects Your Student Will Study at Arkansas Virtual Academy
ARVA teachers tailor the curriculum from K12 — a leader in online education since 2000 — to meet our unique needs in Arkansas. The K12 curriculum covers core subjects as well as electives to help ensure your child receives a well-rounded education.
English/Language Arts
Enhancing comprehension, critical thinking, and writing skills
Math
Building problem-solving skills with pre-algebra and algebra
Science
Exploring life, earth, and physical sciences through inquiry and experimentation
History/Social Studies
Learning about U.S. and world history, civics, and geography
Art
Offering outlets for creativity and self-expression
Elective Courses
- World Languages (Optional Elective): Experiencing cultural enrichment opportunities while developing valuable language and communication skills
- Career Exploration (Optional Elective): Empowering students to explore popular industries and careers that match their interests
Sample Courses and Lessons
Why choose ARVA for online middle school in Arkansas?
Learning Options by Grade Level
Arkansas Virtual Academy is an online middle school for Arkansas students in grades K–12. As your student moves through middle school, they gain more independence with ongoing academic and social-emotional support.
- Grades 6–7: Students strengthen their foundational skills while more complex subject matter and collaborative projects are introduced.
- Grade 8: High school readiness becomes a priority through advanced coursework, elective explorations, and improved time management for projects and assignments.
- Grades 6–8: Career and College Prep exploratory courses let students start thinking about their interests early, visualize what their future could look like, and consider the industry-focused courses they may take in high school.
A full classroom experience — at home!
- Attend live virtual lessons: Arkansas-licensed teachers lead engaging lessons in real time and answer questions as they come up.
- Collaborate with classmates: Group discussions and projects encourage participation and teamwork.
- Explore ideas together: Students have a safe environment to ask questions, contribute ideas, and learn from one another.
- Get personalized support: Teachers provide feedback and instruction tailored to each student’s needs.
- Check their understanding: Lessons are followed by assessments, so your student — and you — can be sure they know the material before moving on.
- Learn on their schedule: Students can attend live or recorded sessions. Check out our Flex program for even more flexibility in your daily and weekly schedule. for even more flexibility in your daily and weekly schedule.
Discover their Potential
Career and College Prep for Middle Schoolers
Career and College Prep exploration courses help your middle schooler discover their interests early, visualize what their future could look like, and start thinking about the industry courses they want to focus on in the future.
Hear more from the ARVA community!
ARVA gave me the hands-on training that I needed to learn in a fun and efficient way.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Middle School in Arkansas
Arkansas Virtual Academy is a safe, inclusive, local community that knows how to have fun! We provide lots of opportunities for students to interact and make friends. Students at ARVA can:
- participate in live class sessions and group discussions that help build relationships and communication skills;
- chat and hang out with their classmates in the ARVA K12 Zone, a bully-free, fun, virtual community;
- and join optional in-person school outings, like field trips, picnics, and other social events throughout the year. Local groups of students and parents can get together on their own as well!
Yes, Arkansas Virtual Academy is accredited by Cognia, a national accrediting organization. Accreditation validates diploma eligibility and supports credit transfer to universities and other schools worldwide.
Yes, Arkansas Virtual Academy uses the K12 curriculum, which is aligned with Arkansas’s standards. Students receive a high-quality education that prepares them for success in middle school, high school, and beyond while meeting all local and state requirements. Middle school students can get a jump-start on their future by exploring popular careers in elective courses in grades 6–12, followed by more targeted career-specific courses in high school.
While attending our online school in Arkansas, middle school students experience a blend of learning formats. This approach offers structure while promoting independence:
- Daily live instruction sessions led by Arkansas-licensed teachers
- Prerecorded lessons that can be reviewed on their schedule
- Self-paced assignments to build time management skills
In middle school, students take on more responsibility for their learning, but they can still benefit from support at home. As a Learning Coach — whether you are a parent, guardian, or another trusted adult — you’ll help your student stay organized, monitor their progress, and step in when needed. Most middle schoolers manage their daily learning independently, with occasional guidance and encouragement from their Learning Coach.
As a Learning Coach — whether you are a parent, guardian, or another trusted adult — your involvement will depend on your student’s grade level and level of independence. As your child gains confidence, your daily time commitment will continue to decrease. On average:
- Grades 6–7: Parents typically spend about 1 to 3 hours daily checking in, helping with organization, or offering occasional homework support.
- Grade 8: Students are mostly independent. Parents may check in for progress reviews or support on specific assignments.
Yes, Arkansas Virtual Academy is a tuition-free public school where Arkansas-licensed teachers deliver the complete K12 curriculum at no cost. Eligible families may also receive a loaner computer and internet stipend to support learning at home. Consult our enrollment specialists to see if your family is eligible.
Questions? Call toll-free: 866.339.4951
*The K12 catalog is a complete list of the courses K12 provides. While ARVA offers a comprehensive selection of courses, not every K12 course is available to ARVA students. Information on specific courses of study and available electives is provided upon enrollment. For details, please speak to an enrollment consultant during the enrollment process.