Online and Satellite Campus Courses

The ACPS Online Learning Program (ACPS-OLP) provides opportunities for students to take Credit Recovery, Advanced Placement (AP), Elective and Original (first time) Credit Courses. Students who entered ninth grade for the first time in 2013-14 have a virtual course experience required in order to earn a Standard or Advanced Studies Diploma. ACPS students may take a course listed here through the ACPS-OLP to fulfill this requirement.

The Economics and Personal Finance course has been designed to be taught in a blended environment, thereby meeting the ACPS board approved definition to meet the online course requirement.

All courses offered through the ACPS- OLP provide individualized, self-paced instruction and take place on a learning management system (such as Blackboard). Upon enrollment, students are assigned a site based mentor to support their course enrollment as well as an online teacher to support the content. Courses are available for students in grades 9-12 and 6-8 (when deemed appropriate by school administration). Similarly, AP courses are available for grades 10-12 and as deemed appropriate by school administration for 9th graders.

Course credit varies and is dependent upon the course, however, electives are typically worth 0.5 credits, and core courses are worth 1.0 credit. Most courses are offered with rolling admissions (students can enroll at any time throughout the school year). Course offerings and availability fluctuate throughout the year per Virginia legislation. While online courses provide a wonderful flexibility for students to complete their coursework, students must stay on pace to complete the course on time. Therefore, a student’s quarterly grade (appearing on his or her quarterly report card) is derived from a formula that is inclusive of both pace and performance. A limited number of spaces are available each semester for online courses, and priority is given to near-term graduates.

Online courses are subject to vendor availability and VDOE approval status. Please note that not all courses listed below may be available, due to the prior reasons. Please check with Izora Everson, Director of Online Learning, regarding course availability.

For further information, please contact ACPS Director of Online Learning, Izora Everson at izora.everson@acps.k12.va.us or 703-619-8400.

For a full description of all courses, please go to: www.acps.k12.va.us/onlinelearning

PROFILE OF A SUCCESSFUL ONLINE STUDENT

Students who choose to participate in online courses need to examine their personal skills and aptitudes for taking a class online. The following attributes will greatly contribute to a student’s success:

Proficient Reading Level – Students should have an assessed Lexile level of 900 or greater on the Scholastic Reading Inventory.

Self-motivation – Students can direct their own learning environments and methods to fulfill course requirements and achieve individual academic success.

Independent learner – The online environment enables students to learn at their own paces, relieving the stress of feeling rushed or pressured and providing enjoyment in the learning process.

Computer literate – Although they do not need to have advanced computer skills, students should possess a working knowledge of email and the Internet, as well as basic keyboarding skills.

Time management – Students must be able to organize and plan their own best times to learn. There is no one best time for everyone, but the key to learning is to make the time to learn.

Effective written communication skills – Students must use email and discussion forums to communicate with their peers as well as the instructors. The ability to write clearly to communicate ideas and assignments is essential. This method provides the learner with rapid feedback as well as a means to inform instructors of any concerns or problems that he or she may be experiencing.

Personal commitment – Because there are no bells that begin and end classes, students must have a strong desire to learn and achieve knowledge and skills via online courses. Making a commitment to learn in this manner is a very personal decision and requires a strong commitment to perform to achieve academic success.

Last but not least, successful online students are students who decide for themselves that online learning is a choice that they want to make.

SPECIAL NOTE: Students may actually learn and hone the above skills by taking an online course. Be careful not to deny a student’s request and interest in online learning simply because he or she has not mastered all of the above skills. These are merely considerations.

When may it be in the best interest of a student to enroll in an online course?

• To resolve scheduling conflicts at school or meet the needs of different schedule configurations
• To allow a student flexibility in use of time to meet other school/family/work commitments
• To take courses not available at the student’s home school
• To make up a credit
• Online may be a better-suited learning environment
• Student desires the experience of taking a distance education course
• To provide opportunity for a student to complete course(s) at an accelerated pace
• To provide extended time to complete coursework for students who need additional time
• To meet the needs of a transferring student
• To assist students who have medical conditions that may not allow them to be present for a full day

When may it not be in the best interest of a student to enroll in an online course?

• The student does not meet the profile of a successful online student
• The student requires a remedial program, not an entire course
• The student will not have reliable access to the appropriate computer hardware
• Taking an online course is not the student’s choice. Students should desire to take course(s) online rather than have significant adults choose the online courses for the students