Recent reports on student withdrawals from Maine Virtual Academy, one of two online public charter schools in Maine, do not tell the whole story.

In a 90-day report to the Maine Charter School Commission, our school identified students who, for a variety of reasons, were no longer enrolled. Among this group were a number of students whose parents stated their intent to enroll, but chose another option without notifying our school. Other students moved out of state or had personal or family circumstances that caused them to withdraw.

These are hardly “dropouts,” as was characterized in some media reports (“Our View: Dropout rate shows limits of Maine’s online charter schools,” Jan. 7). The term “dropouts” commonly refers to students who quit school outright, not those who move or make another choice.

Many students on our waiting list filled the place of those who left. In fact, online schools often serve to rescue dropouts who leave traditional schools. Our school serves 265 students statewide and has many new students in the process of enrolling for the new semester.

Virtual education is not for everyone. Online schools are very different from the traditional model. We work hard to educate parents on what it takes to succeed, but many really do not know if an online school is the right fit until they try it.

Every child has distinctive needs. Virtual education, because of its capacity for individualization, is highly successful for many students who have not succeeded elsewhere. Parents deserve the freedom to explore options that they find best. Charter schools such as Maine Virtual Academy allow families to have an important choice.

Copy the Story Link