Online High School CEO Wins Prestigious Award at National K-12 Virtual School Symposium

Insight School Founder Keith Oelrich Recognized for Contribution to Field

PORTLAND, Ore., Nov. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Insight Schools CEO and Founder Keith Oelrich was honored for "Outstanding Individual Contribution to K-12 Online Learning" yesterday at the Annual International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL) Membership Meeting in Austin, Texas during the Virtual School Symposium.

Oelrich was recognized based on his years of insight and innovation, which have significantly increased the development and credibility of the K-12 online learning industry.

Over the past decade, Oelrich has established himself as one of the foremost leaders in the online education field. His passion to develop a student-centered high school alternative has most recently inspired him to found Insight Schools - a national network of online, accredited, public high schools - in 2005 that has emerged in only a few short years as one of the leading operators of online high schools.

Before Oelrich founded Insight Schools, he served as President and CEO of Apex Learning, from 2000-2002, where he greatly contributed to the company becoming a recognized leader in the virtual high school industry. He then served as CEO of KC Distance Learning, from 2002-2005, where he led the company through a period of tremendous growth and transformation.

The educational organizations Oelrich has led - Apex Learning, KC Distance Learning and Insight Schools - have collectively served nearly 1 million students.

"I'm honored to receive this award and continue to be very excited about the future of K-12 online learning," said Oelrich. "Many students today are looking for an educational environment that fits their interests, their lifestyle, and their goals. If you approach the solution with the student's needs first, the rest is easy."

Insight has grown into one of the leaders in online public high school under Oelrich's leadership, with current enrollment of more than 9,000 full-time students in eight states. Insight combines 21(st) century technology with individualized learning programs, dedicated teachers and a comprehensive, engaging curriculum designed to suit individual learning styles, lifestyle needs and student goals.

Oelrich said that his vision for creating a widely available, individualized high school experience is only beginning to be fulfilled. While his leadership and accomplishments have pushed the industry to new levels, he is committed to ongoing innovation.

"I truly believe online education will be a reality for every high school student in the next decade, both in virtual and traditional classrooms," said Oelrich.

Evidence of this commitment can be seen in Insight's latest innovation of differentiated assessments, which allow students the option to demonstrate subject area knowledge through assignments catered to their learning styles.

Among other activities as a K-12 online learning evangelist, Oelrich has testified before legislatures in many states, met with Governors, Senators and Representatives, thousands of families and hundreds of potential investors to advocate and promote K-12 online learning and was successful in gaining support for federal funding appropriations supporting online learning.

According to Evergreen Consulting's 2008 "Keeping Pace" Report, online learning at the K-12 level has experienced so much growth in recent years that most states (44 as of September 2008) have significant supplemental online learning programs, or significant full-time programs, or both. Oelrich says that he is just happy to be part of the fast-growing field.

"A long time ago, we were lone voices in the wilderness," said Oelrich. "Now, distance learning is a national industry, with national awards. Distance learning is changing lives, and there are so many people making contributions in this important field. It's an honor to be recognized among them."

About iNACOL

Based in Washington, D.C., iNACOL is a non-profit 501(c) (3) association with more than 2,500 members in the K-12 online education field. iNACOL's Virtual School Symposium brings together more than 1,200 representatives from national, state, district, private and other virtual school programs and is the industry's leading event in K-12 online learning. It highlights the cutting-edge work in K-12 online education across the country and is the only national conference focused solely on K-12 online learning and virtual schools.

About Insight Schools, Inc.

Insight Schools, Inc. is the nation's leading network of tuition-free, diploma-granting, online public high schools. To learn more, call 800-975-8006 or visit www.insightschools.net.