Optima Classical Academy, the world’s first and only virtual reality (VR) charter school, is heading to Lakeland on March 8 for an in-person demonstration and showcase of its cutting-edge curriculum and technology. OCA will demo its live VR instruction for students, parents, and media, allowing them to experience how thousands of Florida students will attend school in August: through an immersive, independent, and collaborative approach to K-12 education that is vastly different than all other schools in Tampa.
“I’m optimistic that our outreach in Lakeland will be an extremely informative, interactive, and fun experience for all, giving parents and their children a real insight into the benefits of our VR classical charter school,” said Optima Foundation CEO and President Erika Donalds. “We’re dedicated to bringing greater school choice options to the community and families in the Polk County area, and we hope this VR demo will be the first step.”
Students and attendees will have the unique opportunity to step into a virtual world and experience the VR instruction as the Academy’s students will: transported to Pompeii, to a pre-historic watering hole, or even deep beneath the ocean. The curriculum is designed to teach students about historical events, characters, stories, fables, poetry, scientific facts, and mathematical proofs through a fully immersive experience, adding an unheard-of level of context to their studies.
“We are so excited for families and scholars in the area to experience a classical curriculum and the incredible educational environment that virtual reality fosters,” said Optima Domi Executive Director Adam Mangana. “The world has not seen anything like this yet, and we’re proud to pioneer a new school choice option for students who need something outside the box.”
OCA hopes to appeal to homeschooled, virtual, and in-person students around the state who may be unhappy with their current school choice options. With an ever-changing sphere of education, many students need nontraditional online options that challenge the way in which they learn and interact with others.
The tuition-free, cutting-edge charter school will enroll up to 1,300 students, grades 3-8, for its inaugural class beginning this August. Based in Florida, the school plans to extend VR classes through 10th grade for the 2023-24 academic year, and then to all K-12 students the following year.
Who: Optima Classical Academy Virtual Reality Demo in Lakeland
Where: Catapult Lakeland
When: March 8 from 6 pm to 8 pm
For additional information on Optima Classical Academy, visit optimaclassical.org