WCPSS Virtual Academy
Enrollment in the WCPSS Virtual Academy
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- Students will remain enrolled at their current school as assigned by WCPSS Student Assignment.
- Supports from Special Education Services will be provided by qualified teachers and related service providers.
- Students will continue to receive updates and services via their assigned school. These services include but are not limited to AIG, ESL, Intervention and 504 services.
- K-12 students & families who participate in the Virtual Academy will be permitted to participate in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities including athletics through their current school.
- Parents of students not currently enrolled in WCPSS should go to the Office of Student Assignment website for enrollment procedures prior to submitting an application for the WCPSS Virtual Academy. Once a student is enrolled in a school, the assigned school will provide families with the option to enroll in the WCPSS Virtual Academy.
Daily Structure in the WCPSS Virtual Academy
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Students who choose fully online instruction should expect the following to be true across all grade levels:
- To the degree possible, students will be assigned teachers from their current school. However, in some cases, WCPSS may assign students to different schools within a region to form classes.
- Students will experience a daily school schedule that includes the same components of the school day as their grade level peers participating in face-to-face or blended instruction to the degree feasible.
- Students will receive counseling and social emotional support from their current school staff.
- Students will experience an intentional effort on the part of their school’s staff to make meaningful connections and to create a true classroom community.
Instruction in the WCPSS Virtual Academy
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Students who choose to engage in fully online instruction should expect the following to be true across all grade levels:
- Students will experience the WCPSS core instructional program online. Instruction will be standards-aligned and focused on ensuring student mastery.
- Students will either be assigned to a teacher within their school or their school’s region. Structures will be in place to communicate needs and progress to a student's current school if they are assigned to a teacher within the region.
- Grading structures will be consistent with in-person and blended instruction environments and Board Policy 3400.
- Any specialized services (Special Education, ESL, 504 Plans, Intervention Plans) will be implemented by staff at the student’s current school to provide continuity of service from 2019-2020.
- For magnet school students, magnet programming will be implemented to the degree possible in the online environment.
- Teachers will work in collaboration with other school staff members to align instructional practices and expectations.
- It will not be feasible to offer all specials/elective programs in a fully online environment. Students who choose the WCPSS Virtual Academy program option may need to adjust specials/ elective schedule choices.
- Students and families will have support from a Student Help Desk for technology assistance.
- Students and families will have access to library media services.
Updates
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WCPSS Virtual Academy Open House
View the Virtual Academy Open House video on YouTube. Closed Captions are available in English and Spanish.
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Families who apply must commit to at least one semester, with a recommendation of a one-year commitment.
Student Profile
Virtual Academy FAQs
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Can students with an IEP sign up for Virtual Academy?
All students in WCPSS may enroll in the Virtual Academy, including students with IEPs. Please review information on Virtual Academy website to determine if this a a good choice for your student. If questions or concerns arise regarding the implementation of the IEP, an IEP team may convene to discuss goal implementation in the virtual learning environment.
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Should a student enroll in the WCPSS Virtual Academy if we open in Plan C (Fully Online Instruction)?
Yes, families should still enroll in the WCPSS Virtual Academy to maintain continuity of a fully online learning environment regardless of any decisions made by the state to move into Plan A or B throughout the school year.
We have no way of predicting when the state may need to make decisions regarding when school districts are operating under Plans A, B, or C due to safety concerns. The WCPSS Virtual Academy provides families with the continuity of a fully online learning environment.
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If a student signs up for WCPSS Virtual Academy for fall semester only, what are the options for spring?
Students enrolled for the Fall only will have the option to apply to continue in the WCPSS Virtual Academy in the Spring. The application window will be in late October or early November. Students enrolled for the Fall will be granted priority to continue in the Spring. Seats for new applicants are not guaranteed in the Spring.
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Can a student return to attending classes at the school if they change their mind?
Students will remain enrolled in their current school as assigned by WCPSS Office of Student Assignment. Choosing to enroll in the WCPSS Virtual Academy will not change the current school assignment at any time because the program functions within the currently assigned school.
Students who choose fully online instruction for the entire year may request to return to their classroom setting at the start of the spring semester. But we cannot currently provide a guarantee that a student who wants to return to the state-directed Plan A or B in the second semester will be able to do so because that decision is based on availability of class/course space at their currently assigned school. The recommendation is that students enrolled in the WCPSS Virtual Academy remain for the entire school year.
Students who enroll in the WCPSS Virtual Academy for the fall semester only must remain in the academy for the duration of the fall semester.
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On which calendar(s) will the Virtual Academy operate? >
The WCPSS Virtual Academy calendar will align with each school’s calendar:
- For traditional calendar schools, the WCPSS Virtual Academy program students will be on traditional calendar.
- For year round calendar schools, the WCPSS Virtual Academy program students will be on the Single Track 4 calendar.
- For modified calendar schools, the WCPSS Virtual Academy program students will be on the modified calendar.
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What will the typical Virtual Academy school day be like? >
Parents and students can expect that students will have some learning experiences for which they will need to be in attendance and attentive during specific hours of the day. Students and families should expect instruction to happen Monday through Friday. Students will receive approximately 5-6 hours of instruction and/or instructional activities per day, with at least 2.5 hours of live instruction per day. Times may increase beyond the baseline based on teacher planning.
Students will also have flexibility to work at their own pace and schedule over the course of the day depending on family needs. Consistent daily schedules will include online instruction that will be a combination of live and recorded sessions. In addition there will be device-free breaks and flexible times for students to meet virtually in smaller groups built into the schedule. Social and emotional wellness will be taken into consideration in scheduling. Our intent is to align the Virtual Academy student experience with the online instruction experience of students who are participating in Plan B.
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What will the course offerings look like? >
Because course offerings for the Virtual Academy will be built based on the needs of students who enroll (what courses they have registered for) and the availability of teachers, it is difficult to definitively identify exactly which specific courses will be available at this point. Simply put, the more students who enroll, the larger and more expansive the list of courses will become. The intent will be to make every effort to ensure that there is a baseline menu of both core and elective course offerings across multiple content areas.
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Will AP and Honors courses be offered in the WCPSS Virtual Academy? >
We anticipate that many, if not all, will be, depending upon the level of interest and staffing. In some cases, students will have access to these courses offered by teachers from their own schools. In others, students might be grouped with students from one or more partner schools. More information will be forthcoming before school starts.
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How much time will a student be expected to spend in front of a computer? Will the schedule/routine be the same everyday? >
The amount of time a student will spend in front of a device will depend on the age of the student and which courses they are taking. There will be ample time for independent learning activities and breaks, including lunch and time for physical and other activities, built into the schedule.
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What are the expectations of a parent or guardian regarding ensuring their child is participating appropriately and effectively in virtual learning? >
Students will need varying levels of support in online instruction. Typically, younger students need closer supervision and assistance. This might come from a parent, guardian, grandparent, older sibling or other members of a child’s support system. We will work with families to ensure that they have the support they need for a successful experience.
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How is actual teaching going to be handled when a student is doing online instruction? >
There will be a combination of actual live sessions and recorded sessions. There also will be opportunities for independent practices and activities that are not completed using a device. These will be based on a number of factors, including subject area, age/grade level and more.
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How is technology going to be handled? Will students get laptops/wifi if they don’t have access? >
Through the Virtual Academy application form, parents can indicate whether their students need devices and access. We will be working to help meet those needs as we receive notification.
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Will special services be provided virtually, too? >
Yes. Any specialized services (IEPs, LEP, ESL, 504, Intervention and AIG) will be implemented by staff at the student’s current school. This includes students participating virtually.
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Will all courses offered in schools be offered in the Virtual Academy? >
All K-8 core courses and all high school courses required for graduation will be offered. Because course offerings for the Virtual Academy will be built based on the needs of students who enroll (what courses they have registered for) and the availability of teachers, it is difficult to definitively identify exactly which specific courses will be available at this point. Simply put, the more students that enroll, the larger and more expansive the list of courses will become. The intent will be to make every effort to ensure that there is a baseline menu of both core and elective course offerings across multiple content areas. -
If a student chooses WCPSS Virtual Academy, are they committed to continuing online learning in 2021-2022? >
No. The commitment to enroll in the Virtual Academy does not extend beyond the 2020-2021 school year.
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If a student starts in Plan B, can they switch to Virtual Academy at any time? >
This will be the decision of your child’s principal, based on staffing and other considerations.
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Will a student lose their magnet seat for the future if they enroll in the WCPSS Virtual Academy for 2020-2021? >
No. Students remain enrolled in their current school, including magnet schools, for the 2020-2021 school year. This also applies to a student attending on a transfer or calendar option.
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Is WCPSS Virtual Academy an option for Pre-K learners? >
It is not an option at this time. Our Pre-K Programs operate under a number of external procedures and expectations. At this time, all requirements and expectations cannot be met in this model.
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Can students who participate in WCPSS Virtual Academy also participate in athletics and student activities at their assigned school? >
Yes, students may participate in athletics and student activities that are available given social distancing guidelines.
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If a student doesn’t choose WCPSS Virtual Academy now, what is the default choice? And, can they change their mind later to participate? >
For any student who does not choose to participate in WCPSS Virtual Academy, they will by default participate in instruction through the learning environment established by the district based on state guidance.
If families do not choose WCPSS Virtual Academy now, they can request to change their learning environment at the start of the spring semester. Spring semester enrollment will be based on availability and other factors as circumstances continue to evolve.
