Why did the chicken cross the road? Maybe for the same reason as the Oxford Virtual Academy.
The Oxford Virtual Academy (OVA), now located in the basement of the district’s administrative offices at 10 N. Washington St., will move to 3 S. Washington St. (next door to Patterson Prescription Pharmacy) in downtown Oxford by the start of the fall semester.
OVA Director Andrew Hulburt said keys have been taken and an $1,800-per-month lease for three years has been signed, but that no dedicated move-in date has been chosen. The district is leasing a 2,300-square-foot space.
But when the 2012-13 school year does kick off, being a virtual school doesn’t mean OVA won’t need a real place to work. ‘Many of our students come in to do their work in the building,? Hulburt explained. ‘We’ll have 35 computers set up for the students to work (on) and get tutored.?
Additionally, the Director assured, ‘there’ll be certified teachers there to (help) those students. We certainly don’t want to just hand classes out to kids and not give them the assistance needed.?
Though OVA was already ensconced just across the road, the Director finds many advantages to the relocation. Hulburt sees an added efficiency for his team, because relocation ‘will allow my whole staff to be in the same area.?
He also thinks the move will be a boon for the immediate business community.
‘We wanted to stay downtown (to give) students that ‘downtown feel.? We (also) believe that it’s going to increase foot traffic in the downtown area for the other businesses around there because we have so many students and families coming in and out.?
To learn more about the OVA, please visit oxfordvirtualacademy.org or call (248) 969-5021.