Submitted NASHVILLE â The Tennessee Department of Education announced the approval of 29 new virtual schools for the 2021-22 school year, including the Sevier County Virtual Academy, bringing the total number of virtual schools operating across the state to 57. âAs we head into the new school year, educators and school and district leaders throughout the state are focused on ensuring student achievement and serving the needs of all students in their communities,â said Commissioner Penny Schwinn. âLast school year, districts responded to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic by providing additional operating models and learning formats to ensure that families had options and students could continue learning with their classmates and teachers when out of school buildings. While research shows that students benefit most from in-person classroom instruction, districts are ensuring families who prefer a virtual education setting for their students have those options and can continue to make the best choices for their children.â