Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) registration for the Virtual Academy at the Robert D. Stethem Educational Center for current 8th - 11th grade students opens Monday, January 8, 2024. Students applying for Virtual Academy must have at least twenty-five or fewer unexcused absences or at least a 2.0 grade point average to be considered; data will be from the 2023-2024 school year. Enrollment is not guaranteed. Registration closes on Friday, March 1st at 11:59 pm.
Students who have either an IEP, 504, or EL plan on file with Charles County Public Schools will be conditionally accepted pending the outcome of a school-based IEP/504 meeting. The team will determine if services can be provided through the Virtual Academy program.
This program is for students who are independent, motivated learners looking to work from a remote location. Students interested in this program may include but are not limited to seniors needing four or fewer credits, students with school anxiety, students who require a flexible schedule to meet individual needs, students who prefer a nontraditional school setting, or students apprehensive about in-person learning.
Virtual Academy students will complete their assigned work through the APEX Learning digital platform and One Note. Students are expected to work independently for five hours daily, four days a week (Monday - Thursday), with 90 minutes (about 1 and a half hours) per day of live/direct teaching through Zoom in Synergy. Tutoring support will be available to students during select periods during the school day. Students are expected to engage in school from 7:45 A.M. – 3:45 P.M. Students should not have any other commitments during school hours.
Students in the Virtual Academy will be enrolled in two credits per quarter, earning eight credits per year. Students will complete a year’s worth of work in one (1) quarter. Advanced placement (AP) classes will be year-long courses. Students will need to provide transportation to their home school for all scheduled state assessments and after school activities.
Virtual Academy will offer grade level courses, Honors, and select Advanced Placement Classes. Students will continue to have a graduation path through the World Language completer or Business Management & Finance program. Eligible 11th and 12th grade students in Virtual Academy may participate in dual enrollment through the College of Southern Maryland.
Courses in Project Lead the Way and/or Career and Technical Education (CTE) Completer Programs will not be available in Virtual Academy (except for Business Management & Finance).
Students will receive report cards and diplomas through their home schools, as they will be concurrently enrolled. Virtual Academy students will be able to participate in sports and extracurricular activities (i.e., clubs, marching band, drama, etc.) at their home school, pending they meet the eligibility requirements. Students may attend homecoming dances, prom, and extracurricular activities after the school day.
Students enrolled in Virtual Academy must agree to remain for the duration of the school year. However, if a student shows a lack of interest in the program, due to failing grades or excessive absences, the student may be removed from Virtual Academy and will return to their home school.
Please contact the coordinators, Tiffany VanDyke at 301-932-6612 or Brooke Kohlhorst at 301-934-7391 for more information.
