OKCPS Virtual Institute Celebrates First Graduates From Program

Six student in Oklahoma City will make history after graduating from the district's online school. The Innovations K-12 Virtual Institute is relatively new to the district and about 100 students total are enrolled.

One of the graduates-to-be is Victoria Hlad who never thought she'd get her high school diploma.

"I had a bunch of stuff going on with my life and I dropped out and I didn't go back to school for two years," she said. "I didn't think I'd be graduating. I just thought I was going to be working in fast-food for the rest of my life. Like that's what I set for myself."

Finishing school just wasn't in her plan until she tried getting a better job than working in the fast-food industry. Hlad's decision to quit came back to haunt her.

"I got hired and they were like can you bring us a copy of your diploma and I just never went back because I was so nervous," she explained.

So Hlad decided to make a change. Her brother had already enrolled in the virtual institute so she decided to give it a shot too. The district says it's just as rigorous as traditional school and each student is responsible for completing all end of instruction tests and state requirements. Hlad will tell you the program is more flexible but more rigorous than traditional classroom learning.

"You kind of have to be self-motivated to do it. You can't just sit around and be like waiting for a teacher to email you and say 'when are you going to do your work."

Hlad credits the program, teachers, her mentor and principal for changing her life plan. She has revived a dream of working in a hospital.

"I'm about to go to school to get my RN. I'm going to try to work at Saint Anthony's, I mean I'm so glad I went back to school. I can't believe that I did it."

For more information on Oklahoma City Public School's Virtual Institute go to: http://iokcps.schooldesk.net/Home/tabid/18435/Default.aspx