Florida Virtual School launches 12 new online courses for middle and high school students

Press release from Florida Virtual School

ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida Virtual School (FLVS) is launching 12 new online courses to ensure students have the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in college and the workforce.

From Foundations of Machine Learning, the final course in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) program of study , to world language courses like Chinese 4 Honors and more, the goal of each new course is to give students more choice in what and how they like to learn so they can discover their passions and interests. Families can enroll in these courses for the 2024-25 school year.

According to Grandview Research , the artificial intelligence industry is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 37.3% from 2023 to 2030, becoming a $1.8 billion business by 2030. Florida is also on the path of becoming a top 10 global economy by 2030, with over 1.62 million new jobs across all sectors of industry, underscoring the importance of equipping the next generation of students with the skills and expertise needed to compete in a global market.

“By offering a robust catalog of core and career-driven courses, Florida Virtual School is ensuring our students are prepared to lead and shape their future,” said Senior Manager of Curriculum Development, Amy Heflin. “These new courses will allow our students a competitive edge for their future, whether they are college or career-focused.”

The new FLVS courses are a mix of core and electives, including Career and Technical Education (CTE), world languages, Advanced Placement (AP), and core courses to give students the time and space they need to explore what interests them and what they want to do after high school. The courses are tuition-free for Florida students and include:

New Career and Technical Education (CTE) Courses:

• Business Management and Law – This is the second course in the Entrepreneurship program of study, available to FLVS Flex students in grades 9-12. In this course, students will explore key business management concepts, including human relations, sales, marketing, and finance. At the end of the course, students can earn three industry certifications. Additionally, this course meets the practical arts requirement for graduation.
• Data Analytics and Database Design – In this second course in the Data Science program of study, FLVS Flex students in grades 9-12 will learn best practices for data visualization and dashboard design and any relevant considerations.
• Foundations of Machine Learning – This is the fourth and final course in the Artificial Intelligence Foundations program of study, available to FLVS Flex students in grades 9-12. It builds an understanding of the mathematical foundation needed to create algorithms for use in artificial intelligence and machine learning.

New World Languages Courses:

• Latin 4 Honors – Latin 4 Honors builds upon students’ Latin knowledge of grammar and vocabulary skills to achieve fluency and language proficiency in reading authentic Latin works, while preparing them to take AP and college-level Latin. This course will be coming soon and is available for FLVS Flex students in grades 9-12.
• Chinese 4 Honors – In this course, FLVS Flex students in grades 9-12 will experience the language’s rich traditions by exploring modern and ancient China.
• American Sign Language (ASL) 3 Honors – Available for FLVS Flex students in grades 9-12, this course will sharpen the skills students acquire in ASL 1 and 2.

New Advanced Placement (AP) Courses:

• AP Precalculus – This research-based exploration of functions is designed to better prepare FLVS Flex students in grades 10-12 for college-level calculus and provide a basis for other mathematics and science courses.
• AP World History: Modern – In this course, FLVS Flex students in grades 9-12 will refine their analytical skills, specifically with respect to historical comparisons, causation, continuity, and change over time. Students will hone these skills while studying world history from 1200 to the present.

New Art and Music Courses:

• Two-Dimensional Studio Art 1 – In this course, FLVS Flex and FLVS Full Time students in grades 9-12 will experiment with media and techniques to create a variety of artworks as they develop skills in drawing, painting, and more. This course provides elective credit and fulfills a performing/fine arts requirement for high school graduation.
• MJ Exploring Two-Dimensional Art – In this course, FLVS Flex students in grades 6-8 will develop skills in drawing, painting, and more, while learning how to use the elements of art and design principles to create and reflect on their own art.

New Core Courses:

• Algebra 1-B – In this course, FLVS Full Time and FLVS Flex students in grades 9-10 will focus on the Algebra 1 benchmarks related to exponential and quadratic functions, data, and statistics. The lessons are designed to help students develop fundamental algebraic skills for problem-solving in the real world.
• Personal Finance and Money Management – Now available for FLVS Flex and FLVS Full Time students in grades 9-12, this half-credit course satisfies Florida’s personal financial literacy graduation requirement. Students will learn the skills and knowledge needed to become wise consumers, savers, investors, users of credit, and planners.

For families that would like to incorporate one or more individual online courses into their education plan for the upcoming school year, FLVS Flex is open for enrollment year-round. For families that would like to take all online courses through FLVS Full Time exclusively, Florida Virtual Full Time Public Schools is currently open for enrollment through July 12 at 5 p.m. EST.

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