After five years at Augusta, counselor Audrey Neuschafer has accepted an administration position within USD 402 for the 2025-2026 school year.
“I will be the director of the Sunflower Virtual Academy,” Neuschafer said. “I’m really looking forward to being able to put a proper virtual option in place.”
Neuschafer had several positive thoughts about her new role at SVA Academy (SVA).
“I cannot get this position out of my mind,” Neuschafer said. “For me, this role just feels like something I need to be doing.”
While not yet decided, multiple online platforms are available for the new school. However, these platforms are not perfect; they require some molding and directing to establish a learning environment.
“There’s a bunch of different learning platforms and whichever one we put in place at the virtual academy, kids will just click on the app and it tells you what to do,” Neuschafer said.
Students will have higher standards to uphold but they will also receive many benefits. Students at SVA will be required to be online for six hours, but they will receive the benefits of going to a credited school..
“The Sunflower Virtual Academy graduation requirements will still include English, math, science and social studies,” Neuschafer said.
A benefit to SVA is that it is an accredited program, meaning students will graduate with their high school diplomas. Another benefit to SVA is that it is not strictly online; students have the option to meet with the staff at a physical location.
“We will be there all day, doing the things that you know you need to do in terms of a school day, checking on students and working on reports and doing enrollments,” Neuschafer said.
Students will, of course, work from home. However, the building is open for students needing extra help or just wanting a change from the purely online environment. There is also a possibility of events being hosted on-site as well. Neuschafer won’t be working alone, a teacher will be hired to help out.
“It’ll just be me as the director, and then we’ll hire a teacher, too,” Neuschafer said. “The teacher will be grading any submissions in our online platform that require grading and then touching base with students who aren’t making as good of progress.”
SVA is still just beginning and Neuschafer does have some concerns.
“I don’t want to take kids from the traditional high school,” Neuschafer said.
While she is moving to a new school, Neuschafer and SVA are still part of USD 402.
“I want to recruit students to attend Virtual Academy, but if the traditional high school is a better fit, then I want them to attend Augusta High School,” Neuschafer said. “I would like this to be the option for kids who are going to go online anyway.”
At least for a while, SVA aims to have 30-40 students with the possibility of more, as well as more staff if necessary. SVA is still in its early stages, with many details still to figure out.
“Every year we have lost probably 20 to 30 students to online programs anyway, so why don’t we answer that with having our own Virtual Academy,” Neuschafer said.
Superintendent Matt Ward and Neuschafer will be continuing to have meetings and planning sessions to further plan and set up, with the hopes of having SVA ready for the fall of 2025.
