Virtual Learning Makes Sense for NC Families

By Bruce Friend, Head of School at Pine Springs Preparatory Virtual Academy, Chair of the NC Charter Review Board 

During my nearly 30 years working in education, I’ve seen methods and models come and go as the education landscape evolves and students’ needs and interests change. Virtual learning has been part of the conversation in North Carolina for nearly two decades. That conversation continues across the state as families prepare to return for the 2025-2026 school year. With the start of a new school year just around the corner, many families are still actively seeking a solution that best fits their family’s needs. 

What started for many as an emergency pivot has evolved in the post-COVID era. Virtual learning is no longer primarily about health and safety, but about the customization, flexibility and prioritization of students’ unique needs. Many families found that their children thrived in the virtual environment, shaping their education experience for the better. 

Traditional classrooms serve many students in our state, but families today are more interested than ever in what other models offer. The education landscape has evolved to offer many options for families to choose what is best for them and we can recognize how these models can work in tandem to meet the unique needs of every learner.  

Flexibility for the Entire Family  

The most significant benefit of virtual learning that I hear from families repeatedly is flexibility. Students can access coursework on their own schedule, making it easier to balance classes with extracurricular activities, health needs, jobs and family responsibilities. That flexibility helps many students not only stay on track but also excel. 

A prime example of this is Maria W., a rising senior at Pine Springs Preparatory Virtual Academy (PSPVA). After being diagnosed with a chronic illness, attending a traditional school became difficult. Her district’s virtual program was later closed, but the experience had shown Maria and her family a new way forward. After finding PSPVA, Maria has been able to stay on track to graduate and is dual-enrolled at the local community college, taking early steps into her future.   

Personalized Education Builds Confidence 

Virtual learning meets students where they are, adapting to each student’s strengths, interests and pace. Students can rewind lessons and revisit materials as needed, move through subjects more quickly or seek extra help one-on-one if needed. With fewer social pressures, we’ve seen students learn faster and more effectively than they ever have before.  

I’ve had the privilege of seeing a pair of twins who are part of a military family based at Fort Bragg experience significant growth due to the personalized approach online learning has given them. Jose and Marco were diagnosed with autism at age two, leading their family to apply for compassionate reassignment in 2023 to better access therapies for the twins. Since re-locating and having access to the flexibility offered by a virtual learning environment, the twins are thriving. They have even started speaking after many years of being nonverbal.  

These stories aren’t one-in-a-million; they represent thousands of families across North Carolina who are flourishing thanks to choice and access to online learning. The pandemic may have introduced virtual education to many families, but the truth is that it’s been around for much longer, and its staying power is about more than convenience. It’s about creating more equitable, accessible, and effective learning experiences that truly meet the needs of every learner. And for many families, it’s still the right choice.