It’s flexible and it’s here to stay. More Victorian kids than ever before are going to school virtually

Now the kids are working from home, too. More Victorian students than ever before are getting their education via virtual school.

The number of Victorian students enrolled in virtual schools has ballooned to record highs. Picture: Supplied.

The number of Victorian students enrolled in virtual schools has ballooned to record highs, with online learning during Covid lockdowns, school refusal and student mental health among the factors driving up rates.

The state’s biggest online learning provider Virtual School Victoria (VSV) has recorded a 63 per cent increase in enrolments since 2019, with 5942 students studying its program last year, according to Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority data.

Students in Years 11 and 12 are among the school’s largest cohort, with about 4514 pupils in these year levels enrolled at the school.

The number of Year 6, 8, 9 and 10 students participating in online education has doubled in the past decade, with pupils as young as five also studying virtually.

The school’s annual 2023 report attributed the rise to more neurodivergent students seeking alternative education, an increase in referrals from medical practitioners for pupils struggling with school refusal and growing enrolments from students with medical needs.

Meanwhile, two thirds of enrolments are school-based students enrolled in VCE subjects not offered at their home schools.

Haileybury Pangea – Australia’s leading private online school for Grade 5 to Year 12 students – has seen an increase in pupils opting to study online, with enrolments doubling since it opened in 2023. Picture: Supplied.

“We know every student’s pathway to success looks different, which is why we offer flexible options and support through VSV,” a Victorian Government spokeswoman said.

To enrol fully at VSV, students must fall under one of the seven enrolment categories: health (physical), health (mental), travel, elite sports/arts, distance or young adults and previous home schoolers (from year 10 onwards).

School Can’t Australia director Tiffany Westphal said the rise in enrolments at virtual schools could also be due to students discovering online learning suited their needs better during the pandemic.

“It is possible the experience of school-related distress is also driving up enrolment demand,” she said.

“Some students that found attendance at bricks and mortar school distressing, find enrolment in a virtual school addresses enough of the issues that had been causing them stress, that their capacity to engage improves.”

Haileybury Pangea – Australia’s leading private online school for Grade 5 to Year 12 students – has also seen an increase in pupils opting to study online, with enrolments doubling since it opened in 2023 to 150 students.

Haileybury Pangea head of campus Joanna Baker said the rise in demand “reflects a shifting landscape where forward-thinking schools are reimagining learning to offer students greater choice and flexibility”.

“It also levels the playing field so that a student – regardless of where they live or their unique life situation – can access a world-class education,” she said.

Esther Meng said studying at Australian Christian College Victoria Online helped her balance her tennis commitments with school. Picture: Supplied

The demand for online schooling has prompted Australian Christian College Victoria to launch a new virtual campus this year – which received more than 900 expressions of interest in the lead up to its official registration.

Principal Caleb Peterson said lessons were delivered by qualified teachers and students were held to a high standard.

“We place substantial emphasis on student wellbeing, an engaging curriculum, and the continual provision of personalised feedback to support growth and extension,” he said.

“The benefits of this model of schooling are many, including the flexibility to learn from anywhere.”

Tennis rising star Esther Meng – who is studying at Australian Christian College Victoria Online – said virtual learning has helped her balance her sporting and school commitments.

“I like the flexibility and can choose when I do my schoolwork and work it around my tennis training,” she said.

“It also means there’s less travelling and saves time.”

As for her message to those considering making the switch to online learning, the 13-year-old said: “if you want to follow your passion but it doesn’t fit in with normal school hours you should go for it”.

Originally published as It’s flexible and it’s here to stay. More Victorian kids than ever before are going to school virtually