Enrollment

Only students whose families have requested to be enrolled in virtual academies are eligible to participate in virtual learning.  No student will be placed involuntarily in the virtual school solely due to disciplinary reasons.  The Admissions and Release Committee (ARC) of any student with an Individual Education Program (IEP) pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) shall document the students enrollment in the virtual school in the ARC Conference Summary.

All students shall be full-time enrolled in virtual school.  Only students with pre-determined appropriate digital access and support beyond the school campus shall be candidates for enrollment in the virtual school and determination of candidacy.  The district shall ensure all students enrolled in virtual school have appropriate digital access to fully participate in and access virtual learning.

Application

Parents requesting their student(s) be enrolled in virtual learning, shall complete an application.  As a part of the application process, students will complete a digital questionnaire to determine their ability to navigate in a virtual environment.  Parents will agree to certain requirements such as participating in state and local assessments and maintaining a pace of learning which is appropriate for the student’s academic level.  

Parents and students will meet with the school principal, teacher facilitator, and school counselor, for a one-on-one meeting/interview to review the application and other information regarding virtual learning. A determination regarding enrollment will be determined after this meeting. 

Orientation

Upon approval to attend virtual academy, all parents and students will attend a required orientation meeting at the beginning of the year to learn more about expectations, timelines, and other requirements.  

Students who do not comply with the following expectations will be deemed ineligible to attend virtual academy and will be switched to “in-person” learning at the end of the grading cycle (9 weeks):

1. Comply with all compulsory attendance requirements.

2. Participate in a Google Meet with Teacher Facilitator at the start of the school day and mid-point during the day (three hours later).

3. Students with IEPs shall participate in Google Meets or “in-person” targeted instruction with therapists and special education teachers as outlined in their IEPs.

4. Maintain a work ethic based on teacher expectations for the course, equivalent to students in the regular classroom setting.

5. Completion of tasks on a timely basis, in correlation with due dates of assignments.

6. Attend an orientation meeting at the beginning of each school year.

7. Have parent support at home to monitor student progress and grades.

8. Have digital access at home at all times.

9. Attend “in-person” sessions to take district and state assessments.

Digital Platforms

Google Classroom

K-5 students will utilize Google Classroom.  Teachers will follow the same instructional scope and sequence as those students who are in the regular classroom setting. Students with IEPs will receive accommodations and modifications as documented in their IEPs.  Students will be assigned a schedule that aligns with the standard day of those who are “in-person” students.  Students shall adhere to the standard day and hour requirements set forth at KRS158.070. Students will complete formative and summative assessments throughout the learning process which will be housed on Google Classroom.  These assessments will be utilized to measure student progress on grade-level standards and to support students who need accelerated learning on grade-level standards within Tier 1 instruction.  Assessments will also be utilized to determine students who need more targeted instruction and support for tiers 2 & 3.  Tiers 2 & 3 instruction will be provided utilizing Google Meets with the teacher according to student needs.   Teachers will be responsible for reporting student progress which will include grades, adequate pace, and participation in Google Meets on Infinite Campus.

*Condition-  The district has plans to research other K-5 platforms.  

APEX Learning

Students in grades 6-12 will utilize the APEX Learning platform.  APEX provides personalized learning that has the potential to accelerate and deepen learning for students. This instructional approach guides students toward knowledge and mastery on their own learning paths.  Students shall adhere to the standard day and hour requirements set forth at KRS158.070.  The teacher facilitator will  monitor assignments  that will mirror the instruction taking place in the regular classroom.  Students with IEPs will receive accommodations and modifications as documented in their IEPs.  Students will complete formative and summative assessments on APEX Learning. These assessments will be utilized to measure student progress on content standards and to support students who need accelerated learning within Tier 1 instruction.  Assessments will also be utilized to determine students who need more targeted instruction and support for tiers 2 & 3. Tiers 2 & 3 instruction will be provided utilizing Google Meets with the teacher according to student needs.

Virtual Academy Application Process

Parents requesting their student(s) be enrolled in virtual learning, shall complete an application.  As a part of the application process, students will complete a digital questionnaire to determine their ability to navigate in a virtual environment.  Parents will agree to certain requirements such as participating in state and local assessments and maintaining a pace of learning which is appropriate for the student’s academic level.  

Parents and students will meet with the school principal, teacher facilitator, and school counselor, for a one-on-one meeting/interview to review the application and other information regarding virtual learning. A determination regarding enrollment will be determined after this meeting.  Parents will be notified by a letter or phone call within 5 business days.

Applications are accepted prior to the beginning of the school year and again in December prior to the second semester.  

Forms

Below are the forms that you will need to apply for Estill County Schools Virtual Academy

1. Online application below:

• Grades K-5 application here
• Grades 6-12 application here

2. Online Digital Questionnaire   
3. Copy of your transcript/report card (if not enrolled currently in Estill County Schools)
4. Attendance report  (if not enrolled currently in Estill County Schools)
5. School Behavior report (if not enrolled currently in Estill County Schools)

Requirements and Expectations for Virtual Academy Students

1. Comply with all compulsory attendance requirements.

2. Participate in a Google Meet with Teacher Facilitator at the start of the school day and mid-point during the day (three hours later).

3. Students with IEPs shall participate in Google Meets or “in-person” targeted instruction with therapists and special education teachers as outlined in their IEPs.

4. Maintain a work ethic based on teacher expectations for the course, equivalent to students in the regular classroom setting.

5. Completion of tasks on a timely basis, in correlation with due dates of assignments.

6. Attend an orientation meeting at the beginning of each school year.

7. Have parent support at home to monitor student progress and grades.

8. Have digital access at home at all times.

9. Attend “in-person” sessions to take district and state assessments.

10. Students who participate in a virtual academy will not be able to participate in extracurricular activities, including but not limited to, athletics, band, clubs, prom, etc.

11. Students who are enrolled in the Estill County High School Virtual Academy and meet graduation requirements will receive a diploma, and will be able to participate in the Graduation ceremony.