There are more than 780,000 students actively enrolled in preschool through 12th grade in the state of South Carolina, but not all of them report to a physical brick-and-mortar school each morning. An estimated 5,300 students log in online to attend South Carolina Connections Academy—a tuition-free virtual public school that serves grades K-12 throughout the state.

No two children are alike, and South Carolina Connections Academy offers a unique opportunity for students to receive a more personalized education to help them achieve their college and career goals. The curriculum is tailored to each student’s academic strengths and weaknesses making it a great alternative for students seeking more individualized instruction, those who are either ahead or behind in a traditional classroom setting, or those who have situations that would benefit from a flexible school schedule.

After a recommendation from a friend, Shannon Guy of Georgetown was drawn to the idea of taking a more active role in her daughter’s education and the flexibility a virtual school could afford. Lana Guy enrolled in South Carolina Connections Academy in the fourth grade. Currently a ninth grader, she says...