The Change Mariner

Virtual academy is California's first for elementary students

San Francisco Chronicle:

Nathan Dueck of Pacifica studied Cezanne, Picasso and Matisse in public school last year. This year in first grade, he'll explore the great religions. He'll read music in second grade, study astronomy in third and manipulate millions in fourth. By fifth grade, he'll be analyzing Shakespeare. Thrilled with their son's education, Nathan's parents also like his teacher -- a desktop computer.

Nathan, 6, studies at the California Virtual Academy, the state's first cyber elementary school. ...

What makes e-school possible are improved technology and a new taste among entrepreneurs for tapping into the riches that pay for American public schools.