WASHINGTON, Jan. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The George Washington University and K12 Inc., a leader in online K-12 education, today announced a partnership to launch an elite new online private high school – the George Washington University Online High School (GWUOHS), www.gwuohs.com.

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The independent private school will serve students in the U.S. and in countries around the world. Classes begin in January 2011.

"We are excited to expand our portfolio of private online schools to include this prestigious college preparatory program," said Ron Packard, CEO of K12. "We know high achieving students are looking for flexible schooling alternatives that will equip them for success in college and beyond. We are confident that GWUOHS' unique program will not only engage and stimulate students, but prepare them for future leadership roles in today's global society."

GWUOHS is designed for high school students who are seeking a challenging academic experience and aspire to attend top colleges and universities. The school will offer intensive college-preparatory academic programs in a highly-personalized and flexible learning model. Admission into GWUOHS will be highly selective.

Once accepted, students will be able to access courses anywhere an Internet connection can be found. Certified teachers and academic advisors with deep expertise in their disciplines will work closely with students. Teachers will provide instruction and communicate with students through interactive online class sessions, tutorials and one-on-one discussions. From enrollment to graduation, students will receive personalized college counseling support services, including SAT and ACT preparation, college evaluation and application support and guidance through the scholarship and financial aid process.

The George Washington University and K12 partnership brings together two institutions known for their work in education, research, innovation and the pursuit of academic excellence. GWUOHS will be operated by K12, with oversight from GW on program quality and operational performance. Additionally, GWUOHS will provide research opportunities for the university on a critically important trend in education – the design, delivery and evaluation of online learning.

"This collaboration with K12 will afford unique research, teaching and professional development opportunities for our students and faculty," said Michael Feuer, dean of the GW Graduate School of Education and Human Development (GSEHD). "There is little doubt that online learning will continue to be viewed as an alternative to traditional brick-and-mortar schooling in the U.S. and elsewhere, and it's vital for the nation's best scholars to be involved in the design of such programs and to undertake research on how people learn in these environments."

K12's rigorous and vast college preparatory curriculum will be offered at GWUOHS. With over 100 high school courses across varying disciplines, GWUOHS students will have access to multiple levels of college prep courses including comprehensive, honors and AP classes, and can choose from a variety of electives based on their interests in liberal arts, science and technology, or business and entrepreneurship. The program's unique 4-year "Journeys Symposium" curriculum emphasizes holistic student development, focusing on leadership, problem solving, and interpersonal communications within a framework of planning for success in college and personal professional achievement. The rigor and scope of the curricular offering is designed to fully prepare students for entrance into highly selective colleges and universities.

K12 is nationally renowned for its high quality online schools and has received numerous awards and honors for excellence in online learning. Students graduating from K12® schools have been accepted into hundreds of post-secondary institutions including top ranked universities and colleges such as Cornell, Purdue, Middlebury and the University of California, Berkeley.

The GWUOHS administrative offices will be housed at GW's Virginia Science and Technology Campus in Ashburn, Virginia. Barbara Brueggemann, a distinguished educator with more than two decades of education experience in a variety of school settings, will oversee the school's operations. A faculty member from GW GSEHD will also serve as a liaison between the university and GWUOHS to identify research opportunities.

GWUOHS students will also be able to take advantage of numerous resources and programs affiliated with the George Washington University, such as a summer enrichment program at the GW campus in Washington, D.C. Graduates of the GWUOHS will be eligible for admission to GW to the same extent as graduates of other high schools.

Through the launch of GWUOHS, the university expands its commitment to high school education. Currently, the university has relationships with several D.C. Public High Schools including 2010 Blue Ribbon School award winner School Without Walls High School, the prestigious Duke Ellington School of the Arts, Anacostia Senior High School, Benjamin Banneker Academic High School and Ballou High School.

About George Washington University

In the heart of the nation's capital with additional programs in Virginia, the George Washington University was created by an Act of Congress in 1821. Today, GW is the largest institution of higher education in the District of Columbia. The university offers comprehensive programs of undergraduate and graduate liberal arts study, as well as degree programs in medicine, public health, law, engineering, education, business and international affairs. Each year, GW enrolls a diverse population of undergraduate, graduate and professional students from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and more than 130 countries.

About K12 Inc.

K12 Inc. (NYSE: LRN), a technology-based education company, is America's largest provider of proprietary curriculum and online education programs for students in kindergarten through high school. Founded in 2000, K12 has provided over 2 million courses to students worldwide. K12 offers its curriculum and academic services to public and private online schools, traditional classrooms, blended school programs, and directly to families. K12 also operates online public and private schools serving tens of thousands of students in the U.S. and worldwide. More information can be found at www.K12.com

© 2010 K12 Inc. K12 is a registered trademark, and the K12 logo is a trademark of K12 Inc. or its subsidiaries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE K12 Inc.