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From an idea to provide virtual learning to South Carolina students to creating a school with a sole purpose to serve students who have faced academic challenges, the 12-year history of The Heron Institute was recently preserved in the form of a documentary produced by Charter Institute at Erskine . Choice Stories: Always a Heron tells the story of South Carolina Learns, the predecessor to The Heron Institute. It features perspectives from its long-tenured leadership staff

Heron Virtual Academy, the first virtual alternative education campus in South Carolina, opened exclusively to serve students who have faced academic challenges. HVA creates individualized plans to meet students' needs. Learn more in the video below!

In an increasingly crowded virtual school environment, Heron Virtual Academy emerged to fill a critical need--how to serve students who have faced past academic challenges due to chronic absenteeism, credit deficiency, pregnancy, or other reasons. Learn more about the origin of Heron Virtual Academy and hear one student's Heron story.

Sawnsurae Lowe was elected to a two-year term on the SC Learns Board. A parent of students at Cyber Academy of South Carolina, Sawnsurae looks forward to her role on the board. ‘’I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to collaborate with fellow board members to enhance educational standards and drive student achievements, ensuring the institution's mission and goals are met effectively.’’ As a Board of Directors member, Sawnsurae brings a wealth of experience and a proven

March is National Reading Month! This month is a time to encourage readers of all ages to share what they love about reading. Reading has known benefits such as increased cognitive function, memory, and vocabulary. Students! K12 invites you to share your reading adventures this month. You can share your blanket fort photos and videos here and share your reviews on your favorite female authors here . Parents! Wondering how you can incorporate more reading into your students' l

On January 16, 2024, HVA hosted an event in Columbia, SC to share stories from our students as well as to celebrate the first graduates of HVA. Click the video to watch coverage of this event from WIS10!

Congratulations to Nicki Batson on her new role as Executive Director of Heron Virtual Academy. ✨ Nicki Batson is proud to be serving students, families, and educators around the state of South Carolina as the Executive Director of Heron Virtual Academy. Nicki has been an educator since 2005 and has served in various educational roles in both traditional brick-and-mortar schools and the virtual learning environment. Nicki has served as a classroom teacher, teacher mentor, lea