Virtual High School Summer Academy - 2012

Virtual High School Summer Academy provides secondary students with the opportunity for online learning.

Virtual High School (VHS) Academy is designed for rising 9 through current 12 grade students. VHS provides secondary students with the opportunity for online learning. Students may earn up to one (1) original credit and two (2) repeat credits. A computer lab will be available onsite during Summer Academy hours (8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.) for students who need a more structured environment to complete online coursework. Semester math may be taken as .5 original or repeat credit (credit recovery). Each original credit course is 140 online instructional class hours, and semester courses are 70 online instructional class hours. Credit recovery is an online course for students who have completed the seat hours of a course and must repeat the course. Credit recovery teaches the concepts for students to demonstrate mastery of the content.

• Credit cannot be awarded to students who fail to complete the required hours of online instruction
• Parents who wish to enroll their child in this academy must contact their child's guidance counselor to complete the online registration
• Driver Education/Behind-the-Wheel instruction is not offered
• There are no exam exemptions during Summer Academy
• Courses with low enrollment may not be offered
• Students participating in International Baccalaureate Program may not take courses in VHS Summer Academy except Health/Physical Education 9 or 10
• Tuition for a Virtual High School Academy one credit course is $550 and $300 for .5 credit course for York County residents and non-residents. York County residents should make checks payable to the school where registration is completed
• Scholarships will not be offered for high school credit-bearing classes
• Non-residents should contact Reginald Fox (898-0454) or Kim Haskins (833-2148) for registration information. Tuition must be paid in full at the time of registration
• If a course is cancelled or a student withdraws from Virtual High School Academy prior to the start of classes, a refund of tuition will be made by July 12

Onsite at the Summer Academy

In the Virtual High School (VHS) Academy we have created another opportunity for students to complete their virtual courses. We have provided a structured environment where the student reports to a computer lab at the Summer Academy between 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Students may take advantage of transportation provided by the York County School Division (see page 12).

Our structured environment includes a mentor who is an experienced Virtual High School teacher and is assigned to work with, and monitor progress and participation of the online students in the computer lab. The mentor can help students navigate the Learning Management System, Moodle and help students communicate with their online teachers. Students work each day, Monday through Friday to complete required assignments in their virtual courses in the lab at the Summer Academy location. Blackboard Collaborate (Elluminate) sessions scheduled by the online teacher during lab times are required and will be posted weekly. Attendance is required Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Students will continue their coursework at home on Friday. Daily log ins for coursework completion are required.

Taking Your Virtual Class at Home

As a student in the Virtual High School (VHS) Summer Academy, coursework is completed each day in the comfort of the student's home, Monday through Friday during times that are convenient to their schedule courses. Blackboard Collaborate (Elluminate) sessions scheduled by the online teacher are required and will be posted weekly. The student will review instructional interactive materials, complete assignments, and communicate with their online teacher daily. Students are required to log into their online course daily.

Content Management - Students use a web-based Learning Management System called Moodle. The courses in Moodle are organized in content blocks, making material easily accessible for students. The main components of a VHS course are:

• Announcements - Information includes welcome, communication of current information.
• Calendar - Important activities and due dates.
• Content Blocks - Content is separated into units or modules and listed in blocks in the center of the course main page.
• Instruction - Course instruction includes a variety of activities and resources that are found in the content blocks and also organized and linked in the Activities block on the left of the screen.

Communication - Ongoing communication is essential in an online learning environment. Students and instructors have various tools for online communication, including:

• Forums - Discussion forums that allow for asynchronous communication. Participants discuss course content, ask questions, and reply to discussion prompts. Discussion threads are also e-mailed to students and instructors.
• Messaging - Messaging allows for instant communication between users who are online at the same time. Messages are sent via e-mail when a user is not online.
• Blackboard Collaborate (Elluminate) - These sessions are synchronous online class meetings that include instant messaging, live audio, and an electronic whiteboard with desktop and file sharing abilities.

Dates/Location

• June 22 - July 30, 2012 (July 4 & 5, Independence Day observed/Schools & Offices closed)
• Location: Online (http://ycsd.remote-learner.net; username and password provided at orientation)at home or Onsite Summer Academy computer lab accessing content online at http://ycsd.remote-learner.net
• High School Academy Graduation, July 30, 2012, 3:00 p.m., York High School (Graduating seniors are required to attend a rehearsal at 12:30 p.m. on July 26.)

Exam Schedule (All SOL tests & exams will be administered at Tabb High School)

• End-of-Course SOL Tests: English Writing-MC, July 18; English Writing SP, July 19; other SOL tests and VHS seniors: July 26
• Final Exams: July 30, VHS seniors July 26

Registration

• Students may earn up to 3 credits, one (1) course for original credit and no more than two (2) courses for repeat credit. Credits must be verified on the registration form.
• Students must complete a separate registration form for each online course.
• Students currently enrolled in the York County School Division may register for Virtual High School Academy at their home school until June 8. Students who have not registered by June 8 must register on Tuesday - Wednesday, June 19 - 21, from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at York High School. NO REGISTRATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER JUNE 21.
• Non-resident students may register on a space-available basis. Non-resident students must submit a completed Out-of-System Student Information Form signed by the principal of their home school.
• No refund of tuition will be made if a student is dismissed for disciplinary reasons or for excessive "virtual absences" (lack of daily login and participation).

Technology

• Students who enroll in Virtual High School Academy are required to have their own computer with Internet and e-mail access. Daily login and at least 4 hours of active participation per day is required. Access is provided at both of the York County public libraries.
• Students and parents are required to have valid email addresses.

Training

• Mandatory training for students enrolled in Virtual High School Academy will be held Wednesday, June 20, from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. or 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., or Thursday, June 21, from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. at York High School. Students will be notified of the specific date and time to report. Parents are required to attend. Additional training will be provided for Driver Education students on Monday and Tuesday, June 25 - 26 from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at York High School, Computer Lab 201.

Attendance

• No online absences are permitted during the Virtual High School Academy. Failure to login daily constitutes an online absence.
• Credit cannot be awarded to students unless all requirements of the Virtual High School Academy course are fulfilled by July 30, 2012.

Consider the questions below to determine if Online Learning is right for you:

• Do you feel that high-quality learning can take place in an online environment?
• Do you have (or are you willing to obtain) access to a computer, the Internet, and email at home?
• Are you a self-motivated and self-disciplined person?
• Are you comfortable researching and communicating in writing?
• Are class discussions helpful to you?

Courses offered in Virtual High School Academy:

*For YCSD students, these courses include parts A & B.
+Denotes semesters may be taken separately.
#Denotes semester course (.5 credit).