StrongMind, an online learning platform delivering an immersive, impactful digital curriculum based on 20 years of experience, has announced a new partnership with the Omaha Public Schools (OPS) to provide comprehensive digital courses for students in grades 6-12 at the Omaha Virtual School (OVS). The virtual school is a full-time, tuition-free program within OPS, where instruction is delivered through a blended learning environment, combining the benefits of virtual and traditional classrooms. Online learning is enriched with opportunities for hands-on labs, guest speakers, field trips, and face-to-face collaborative learning.
Under this partnership, StrongMind will provide digital courses for students in grades 6-12 enrolled with OVS. The courses are research-based, Digital Promise-certified, and aligned to the Nebraska Content Area Standards. All courses include a variety of rich media, interactive activities, low to higher-stakes assessments and performance tasks, project-based learning, opportunities for collaboration with teachers and other students, and opt-in scaffolds to support students who need extra help. Full reporting tracks student progress and learning in real-time, with unique views for all stakeholders—administrators, teachers, parents, and students.
Responding to the latest development, Senior Vice President of Sales & Services, StrongMind, Melissa Slone, said:
StrongMind is very excited to partner with the Omaha Virtual School (OVS) to provide high-quality digital courses for students in grades 6-12. We look forward to working with OVS to deliver best-in-class digital courses that offer a flexible pathway for students and families seeking a college and career-ready education outside the traditional classroom.
The StrongMind courses will be accessed by OPS users from the district instance of Instructure Canvas, a learning management system (LMS), providing the school with the flexibility and convenience of using the district LMS. The platform will also deliver training to teachers and administrators in using the courses and ongoing implementation support and professional development in best practices for using the digital courses.
Omaha Virtual School (OVS) is committed to empowering life-long learners by developing collaborative relationships. The school provides an innovative, personalized learning experience within its community. Success in this mission will cultivate critical thinkers with the tools to contribute to a changing global society.
Wendy Lowenstein, Director of the Omaha Virtual School, commented:
Our middle/high school students appreciated the videos with ‘real people’ and not cartoon characters and the learning tools available to support their learning and independent curriculum navigation. Our teachers appreciated the abundance of teacher resources that were available to them to help with blended and virtual learning instructional models, as we support both.
StrongMind and the Omaha Virtual School will provide highly engaging, flexible learning options that let students and families thrive.
StrongMind aims to unlock the magic of learning and foster student success by creating the most engaging and impactful digital learning solutions. The company partners with schools and districts to develop solutions addressing unique challenges. With a consultative approach, an engaging digital curriculum, a suite of EdTechs tools, a range of services, and clear insights, the platform maximizes student achievement and helps schools thrive.