Challenge

Monmouth-Ocean Education Services Commission (MOESC) plays a critical role in New Jersey schools, such as transportation, alternative placements, special services, and in overseeing the New Jersey Virtual School (NJVS). As a public educational agency, established under New Jersey Statute Title 18A, its primary goal is to offer affordable and high-quality programs and services geared to local school districts’ individual educational needs. 

Back in 2015, however, before NJVS was created, the leadership at MOESC faced a daunting challenge. Despite being a well-regarded organization in New Jersey, traditional classroom models were no longer sufficient to address the diverse needs of its student population. A rising number of students struggled with school anxiety, physical health issues, and unique scheduling demands. Others required credit recovery solutions after falling behind due to life circumstances. 

Conventional approaches failed to fully engage students, moreover, the agency needed to overcome negative perceptions about online learning. Many parents and educators saw it as a “last resort” rather than a viable educational pathway. 

Leadership at MOESC recognized that they needed an innovative, personalized approach to truly make a difference.

Solution

Under the leadership of Dr. Derek Tranchina, MOESC director of special projects and principal of NJVS, the educational offerings were transformed by launching the New Jersey Virtual School and partnering with Edmentum. NJVS was designed with a clear mission—to provide a flexible, personalized learning experience that catered to diverse needs. 

Dr. Tranchina explained, “We’re a three-way partnership between us, the school district, and the family because we’re not a matriculated school. Obviously, we use Edmentum curriculum, and it’s fantastic. Our success rates are much higher than our competitors’, and our dedicated teaching staff is the main reason we are successful, along with our service-oriented approach and stellar reputation.”

NJVS combines Edmentum Courseware, a flexible, mastery-based digital curricula program for grades 6–12, with its own staff of virtual educators who are fully certified in the state of New Jersey. Educators utilize Courseware to empower a model that prioritizes student agency and family flexibility. The program’s pretest functionality allows students to demonstrate mastery of certain skills and exempt themselves from lessons already mastered. This not only saves time but also boosts engagement by focusing on what students truly needed to learn.

Additionally, accessibility features embedded within the platform support students with unique learning needs. For example, students with anxiety can progress at their own pace in the comfort of their homes. NJVS’ certified teachers further ensure that students receive timely feedback and guidance.

Dr. Tranchina outlined how Courseware provides flexibility to all students, “We make custom courses for students. If they don’t need the whole-year class, we make a custom class with just a few units. It’s user-friendly for me to do that.”

NJVS also introduced innovative programming to meet specific challenges. For students needing credit recovery, the virtual school implemented a six-week intensive summer program with real-time teacher support. For NCAA student-athletes and other high-achieving students, NJVS offered flexible schedules to help them balance academic and extracurricular demands.

Result

The results have been transformative, and their success underscores a powerful truth: with the right tools, vision, and dedication, even the toughest challenges can be turned into triumphs.

For students with school anxiety, NJVS became a sanctuary where they could thrive without the pressures of a traditional classroom setting. One parent remarked that enrolling her child in NJVS was a “grand slam,” as it not only helped her child stay on track academically but also boosted confidence.

Dr. Tranchina expressed, “It’s exciting to be at the forefront of teaching and learning, actively shaping the vision of what the future of education could become.”

NJVS’ success extended beyond individual students. Entire school districts began leveraging its programs as an integral part of their educational strategy. For example, several districts utilized NJVS’ Personal Financial Literacy course—a state graduation requirement—to streamline their schedules and reduce student stress.

Through all this support, the NJVS’ reputation has grown, drawing partnerships with over 100 school districts across New Jersey. It has also gained attention for its unique ability to serve nontraditional students, including those in substance abuse recovery programs and aspiring NCAA student-athletes needing academic credits for eligibility.

Dr. Tranchina and his team have continued to innovate. They explored hiring retired teachers to provide on-call tutoring support, ensuring that students received real-time help when needed. They also developed custom courses like Driver’s Education, tailoring the curriculum to meet state requirements and further expanding their offerings.

MOESC and NJVS are now a shining example of what can be achieved when innovation meets a commitment to student success. By embracing flexible, student-first curricular solutions, New Jersey Virtual School not only addressed its initial challenges but also created a model that continues to inspire educators and students alike.