Find out more about the different virtual school options available in the area
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – As a concerned parent, Sloane Standley said more families should consider placing their children in virtual learning academies this school year.
After the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. announced its reopening plans, calling for schools to welcome back all students for traditional instruction on Aug. 19, Standley decided to move her children, Leighton and Maddox Beasley, from their schools to an online-learning program.
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Although Superintendent David Smith and other EVSC officials have attempted to answer her and other parents' concerns, Standley said she's still concerned of the risk of COVID-19 spreading throughout school facilities.
Leighton and Maddox, who were set to attend North Junior and North High School in the fall, will be starting out the school year learning from home instead.
"Initially we planned to enroll in the EVSC Virtual Academy," Standley said. "We are still considering that option, but we are also exploring home-schooling and INDLS (Indiana Digital Learning School), which employs some former teachers who have left EVSC.
"I would encourage all families who haven’t found a solution they feel is a good fit to keep researching," she said.
EVSC
The EVSC Virtual Academy is for K-12 students seeking a long-term, remote learning option. For up to one full school year, students can earn credits using all online-based content with support from EVSC teachers. This program is open to students looking to catch up on credits or on a regular program.
Students must have regular access to a computer, printer and internet connection. They can rent a computer from EVSC.
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Like traditional learning environments, students will complete assignments and take quizzes and tests through two online programs. Students in grades K-8 will use Edgenuity, and high schoolers will learn using Apex Learning.
EVSC Virtual Academy Director Staci Herrin said students at all levels will work without a live teacher. Instead, they will complete assignments through work modules filled with video clips, quizzes, written assignments and other related activities.
To ensure students' success, Herrin said teachers will be in constant communication with each child and their families to offer support, tutoring and give updates on their academic progress.
The district is also offering families, who may have compromising health issues or are forced to self-quarantine, the option to learn through temporary virtual instruction.
Standley said she's considering virtual options that provide more flexibility and don't require a semester-long commitment.
Students participating in the virtual programs will not be able to take part in extracurricular activities, Smith said.
The EVSC Virtual Academy website is virtualacademy.evscschools.com/
Evansville Catholic Diocese
Superintendent Daryl Hagan said a long-term virtual learning option for students at the Catholic Diocese of Evansville has not been developed yet.
The Diocese is currently offering temporary virtual learning options for students. Hagan said the district is still in talks with other Catholic Dioceses across the country to determine an option that aligns with their mission and community focus.
"We're looking for something bigger than just math or science, it's got to be able to incorporate our Catholic values," Hagan said. "There's a few more steps involved."
Once a decision is made, Hagan said the virtual option will be announced on the Catholic Diocese's website, social media accounts and the websites of individual schools.
The website is evdio.org/catholic-schools.html.
Warrick County Schools
The Warrick County School Corporation will provide live streams of classrooms for families opting to learn from home.
This option, often referred to as synchronous learning, is available for families who want their students to remain enrolled in WCSC schools but are concerned with the potential spread of COVID-19 in traditional learning environments.
Teachers will live stream each class via Google Meet, where students will log in each day to view their respective class, submit work assignments and take tests.
Families will need to provide a stable Internet connection and up-to-date computer to access online materials and view the virtual classroom. Students in middle school and high school will have access to school-owned Chromebooks.
The district expects families who choose the virtual option to commit to at least nine weeks to the program, with students adhering to the same requirements and deadlines as others participating in the class including dress code and attendance requirements.
The website is warrick.k12.in.us/about/covid.php
MSD of Mount Vernon
The Metropolitan School District of Mount Vernon is offering two virtual learning options to families.
Students in grades K-5 will be required to commit to virtual school for nine weeks at a time. Teachers will deliver daily lesson plans through Google Classroom.
For grades 6-12, students can participate in the Apex Learning program for a semester of virtual instruction. Students will be required to complete courses through the online platform by scheduled due dates.
Students attending one of the online learning programs will not be able to take part in extracurricular activities.
The website is mvschool.org/.
MSD of North Posey
Superintendent Todd Camp said the Metropolitan School District of North Posey will offer a short and long-term virtual option. Students who are required to self-quarantine or have someone in their household with compromising health conditions will use the district's eLearning platforms.
K-12 students will be able to take their school-owned Chromebooks home and log in to the district's various learning platforms. In addition to Google Meet and Zoom Video Communications, teachers will use Harmony, Canvas and other online learning platforms to administer assignments and lesson plans.
Camp said these options will only be available to families who are quarantined or have medical concerns and will not be offered to those without them.
The website is northposey.k12.in.us/
Other available options
In addition to other virtual programs, families can enroll their children in home school.
Parents who choose to educate their children outside school facilities may report their homeschool enrollment to the Indiana Department of Education. However, the homeschool program is required to meet attendance and instructional requirements to be considered a legitimate option.
Before a student can make the switch to homeschool, a parent or guardian needs to sign the Withdraw to Non-Accredited Nonpublic School form. Once signed, the student can officially withdraw from their traditional school and attend homeschool.
The Indiana Virtual Academy provides supplementary courses for students planning to work remotely. Students can enroll in online courses for credit recovery and access specialized courses.
The program partners with area high schools to offer online courses that substitute traditional high school classes. After enrolled, students will be given a student handbook, reading assistance tools, a technology requirement list and other resources.
The website is indva.com/
In partnership with over 300 high schools statewide, the Indiana Online Academy also offers supplemental online classes. All courses, accredited by Cognia (formerly AdvancED) and approved by the NCAA, are developed and taught by Indiana licensed teachers who instruct in specialized content areas.
The website is indianaonline.org/
The Indiana Connections Academy (INCA) allows K-12 students to learn remotely under a curriculum that aligns with state education standards. All required texts and instructional materials are provided to students at no additional cost.
The website is connectionsacademy.com/indiana-online-school
► Indiana Digital Learning School
The Indiana Digital Learning School is a tuition-free online academy for students in grades 6-10. The program offers courses in career fields such as information technology, business, food and natural resources and others.
Students will attend Class Connect sessions to interact with online instructors and work under a pacing schedule designed for each class. Lessons will use a combination of physical materials and offline tools.
The website is start.destinationsacademy.com/
The Insight School of Indiana is a viable virtual option for students in grades 7-12. Students will have access to credit recovery courses, block scheduling, individualized learning plans, online counselors and other educational resources.
The website is start.k12.com/ (enter ZIP code or state)