Virtual provision for gifted secondary school students: Keeping the best and brightest in the bush

Abstract

This evaluative research, using mixed methods in a case study approach, investigated the perceived value of an academically selective virtual high school in Western NSW Region. The thesis describes how gifted students remained in rural, regional and remote areas with their family and attended their local government high school, whilst undertaking fast-paced differentiated curriculum offerings that met their academic needs in English, mathematics and science in an online environment. The value of this provision, as perceived by the students and their families was very positive with regional, rural and remote students consistently attaining academic results comparable to a metropolitan selective high school whilst feeling a real sense of belonging to two schools. Keeping the best and brightest in the bush contributed to a dynamic social fabric in the schools and communities of these rural, regional and remote students.