New public charter school to open set entirely in virtual reality
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — A new Utah public charter school set entirely in virtual reality will soon be available to students.
Slated to open in fall 2025, Virtual Horizons Charter School aims to “empower minds by expanding realities,” according to Board Chair Kristin Child Elinkowski.
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The school promises to provide students with interactive learning that encourages critical thinking, fosters creativity, and builds community.
Virtual Horizons Charter School will be accessible to all students, regardless of location, economic means, and/or special needs; providing headsets, laptops, hotspots, and/or Wi-Fi to make sure students from every “corner, canyon, and mountain in Utah have stable access to classes and learning resources,” the school said.
During its first year, the school will reportedly open up 350 spots in grades 4-8. The school will increase spots available and levels offered over five years to a max of 900 students in grades 4-12.
The school said that each year they anticipate current Virtual Horizons Charter School students will move up a grade level and additional new students will enroll as grade level offerings increase.
Though most of school will be attended through a headset, there will be plenty of opportunities for in-person connection through field trips, guest speakers, and activities at community centers or other gathering places across the state, all to help students build friendships, receive support, and collaborate with peers, the school said.
“We are dedicated to equipping our students with essential skills, preparing them to become future-ready individuals capable of adapting to the challenges and opportunities of the global landscape,” Elinkowski said.
Open enrollment begins Jan. 2, 2025.
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