How IAVA Helps Students Connect Beyond the Screen

On a bright fall morning at Big Creek State Park, the chatter of kids carries across the grass. Soccer balls bounce, chalk sketches cover the pavement, and parents trade stories over picnic tables.  

To a passerby, it looks like any other school gathering. But these students don’t share a classroom or a building. They’re part of Iowa Virtual Academy (IAVA), and today is one of the many moments throughout the year where they leave their laptops behind and meet in-person. 

For families at IAVA, in-person events like this picnic are proof that community can thrive in a statewide online school. They offer students the chance to be with classmates and teachers face-to-face, build quality friendships, and bring to life the lessons and teamwork they practice online. 

A Picnic That Starts the School Year Right 

Every fall, IAVA marks the new school year with a back-to-school picnic. Students and families gather from across the state at a central location to connect, play games, and welcome new classmates. Volleyball nets go up, soccer games break out, and students quickly discover how naturally their online connections grow into real-world friendships.  

Meeting teachers in person, matching familiar names to faces, and creating memories beyond the online classroom helps students feel connected to the community that extends far beyond their homes. 

Fall Fun at the Pumpkin Patch 

A few weeks later, the fun continues as dozens of families meet at Community Orchard in Fort Dodge and Harvestville Farm in Donnellson for a day of tractor rides, pumpkin picking, and farm-fresh fare.  

For younger students especially, these gatherings are magical. They get to see their teacher laughing alongside them on a tractor ride, or a classmate posing near pumpkins that are almost as big as they are. Those shared laughs and snapshots carry back into their online learning, making it more personal and connected. 

The Geology Club Gets Their Hands Dirty 

Not all in-person experiences for online schools happen at picnic sites and pumpkin patches. For IAVA’s Geology Club, connection comes through discovery. Every year, the club travels to Keokuk for the annual Geode Family Fest.  

Students and staff members spend the weekend wading into streams and digging in the mud in search of geodes—ordinary-looking rocks that crack open to reveal sparkling crystals inside. 

Why It Matters 

Research shows that shared experiences support emotional growth, problem-solving skills, and resilience. These three events are just a small sampling of what happens at IAVA throughout the year. From escape room adventures to local meetups organized by families, the calendar is filled with opportunities for students to connect beyond their screens. 

For families considering online education, it’s a reassuring reminder that your child will experience social growth and hands-on fun that traditional schools offer.  

For more information about how online learning works at IAVA, please visit our enrollment page.