Schools in the 21st century are very different from the one-room schoolhouses that once dotted the American landscape. Today a single school can house thousands of students at various grade levels and many schools integrate the latest technologies into their curriculum's. With this being understood, it will be interesting to see how school curriculum will change in the future. The purpose of this discussion is to examine how schools will change in the future as it pertains to technology. The discussion will also focus on the introduction of schools as social anchors, that are both moral and purposeful.

             Schools of the future.

             Virtual Schools.

             Indeed technology will continue to play a large role in schools of the future. Educators will continue to incorporate technology into the curriculum. According to Caldwell and Hayward (1998) ¡§schooling at the upper secondary level will become more complex and diverse, with multiple providers; combined with advances made possible by technology, the concept of a 'virtual school¡ will emerge at this and higher levels of education and training (Caldwell and Hayward 1998).¡ The authors explain that technology will provide schools with new and innovative ways to teach students valuable skills.

             The idea of the virtual school has become a reality in some schools across the country. According to the American Youth Policy Forum 25 states have cyber charter schools. In addition, many states also have proposed e-learning initiatives ( Florida Virtual School: The Future of Learning, 2002). One of the most prominent virtual schools in the country is the Florida Virtual School (FLVS). According to the article this schools was created in 1997 and serves public school students, home schoolers and even students form other states and countries( Florida Virtual School: The Future of Learning, 2002). The school caters to student from grades eight to twelve.