Anne Davis writes: “Wisconsin Connections Academy, Wisconsin Virtual Academy and, in particular, the just-approved iQ Academies at Wisconsin are using paid advertisements, billboards and direct mail to woo students during the state’s three-week annual open enrollment period that begins Monday and runs through Feb. 20.”
No matter what they spend, Northern Ozaukee school Superintendent Bill Harbron is asking K12 representatives to make some adjustments to their marketing approach this time around to avoid overselling the school.
After a short but intense campaign last year, the virtual academy received more than 1,000 applications. About 455 students actually enrolled, and the enrollment has continued to drop ever since as parents have discovered the program doesn’t fit their needs, Harbron said.
“There’s no sense recruiting a large number of students (and) then having them enter the program and drop out,” Harbron said. “We want parents to make a very realistic choice for their child.”