As public education options evolve to meet the needs of families across the U.S., virtual schools become a powerful public option for vulnerable students who feel they have been left behind by their brick-and-mortar schools. 

In this article, we take a closer look at the school choice landscape and availability of virtual schools in New York State, what students are helped most, and what changes are needed to ensure that no student is left behind.

What Is Virtual School and Who Can Attend?

Virtual schools have become a preferred public school option for families seeking the flexibility needed to meet their child’s unique needs. These schools adhere to the same regulations, curriculum standards and state testing as brick and mortar public schools, but with one major caveat: the instruction is performed online, allowing students to learn at their own pace and schedule.

Full-time virtual public schools are tuition-free, just like traditional public schools. They are part of the public education system and serve students across grade levels with instruction delivered by state-certified teachers, with structured schedules and the same state testing requirements. 

These programs are especially helpful for:

• Students with medical conditions or disabilities
• Families facing housing instability or frequent moves
• Students facing social anxieties, bullying, or violence at in-person schools
• Athletes, performers, or students with nontraditional schedules

Virtual learning has become a lifeline for many families seeking something different than the traditional brick-and-mortar model.

The Regulatory Landscape for School Choice in New York

In most states, virtual school is a recognized public school option, giving families flexibility, safety, and personalized learning without sacrificing their right to a public education.

But in New York, the story is different.

As of July 2025, there are no public statewide or multi-district full-time virtual school options in New York. Families looking for a virtual education must rely on specialty programs that typically only offer supplemental courses, not a full curriculum. In other words, if your local district doesn’t offer a robust virtual program, your family is out of luck.

This scarcity leaves thousands of students, especially those in vulnerable situations, without the public school choice they deserve. Families and students who could thrive in a virtual program face many regulatory barriers, including:

• No statewide enrollment for virtual public schools
• No funding for multi-district programs, making virtual school more accessible
• No federally-mandated access to school meals for virtual students
• No testing flexibility for state assessments

For a state that prides itself on educational equity, this is a glaring gap.

A Safe Haven for Vulnerable Students 

For tens of thousands of students across New York, virtual school could be a path to safety, stability, and success.

In a parent survey conducted in 2024 by Parents for School Options, safety emerged as the number one reason why families choose virtual schooling over brick-and-mortar schools. An overwhelming 87% of parents surveyed ranked their concern with bullying a 4 or 5 out of 5, with 70% of those rating it a 5 out of 5. Curriculum transparency and alignment with family values also scored highly, with an average rating of 4.3 out of 5.

In states where full-time virtual public school is available, it serves as a safe haven and flexible alternative for:

• Health Concerns: Students battling chronic illness or managing mental health conditions often struggle in traditional settings. Virtual learning allows them to thrive without sacrificing their well-being.
• Bullying & School Violence: LGBTQ+ students, students of color, and others who have faced discrimination often report feeling safer and more included in virtual classrooms.
• Special Education Needs: Smaller class sizes and personalized instruction help students with disabilities receive the tailored support they deserve.
• Family Circumstances: Military families, rural households, and those facing housing insecurity value the flexibility and consistency online learning provides.

If made available, virtual schools in New York would have the opportunity to provide a critical educational option for students who need an environment that meets them where they are.

The Double Barrier: Losing Access to School Meals

Even if a family does have the ability to enroll in a virtual public school in New York, another obstacle appears: virtual students are currently excluded from the National School Lunch Program (NSLP).

Nationwide, 57% of virtual school families qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, but receive nothing because of outdated rules that require students to eat on-site. That’s over 347,000 students nationally being forced to choose between the education that works for them and access to basic nutrition.

What Needs to Change in New York

To ensure every New York student can access the public school that best meets their needs, the state must:

• Create statewide, full-time virtual public school options available to all families.
• Fund virtual programs fairly, so resources follow the student.
• Update meal program rules so virtual learners aren’t excluded from NSLP benefits.

Until then, thousands of New York students remain left behind.

At Parents for School Options, we believe school choice in New York must mean more than just access to a classroom. It must mean access to every benefit of a public education, including virtual learning to fit the needs of vulnerable students, free school meals for those who qualify for nutritional support, and the freedom of parents to select the education model that works for their family.