The Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) Online Learning Program (ACPS-OLP) provides a range of options for students to take credit recovery, advanced placement (AP), elective, and original courses. Universal Class offers high-quality online courses to help learners master the skills needed to achieve their goals. The courses include lessons, tests, tasks, discussion forums, and real evaluations of progress. The virtual learning option is offered through Virtual Virginia.
Certified teachers in Virginia will teach basic online classes with daily synchronous activities and asynchronous learning experiences. Virtual students will still have access to ACPS extracurricular and sports activities. Virginia students can enroll in free, full-time online learning through the Virginia Virtual Academy. Elementary and middle school students can take part-time or full-time online classes at their local school in partnership with the state's virtual school, Virtual Virginia.
Tuition is usually covered by the public or private school where the student is enrolled, or by the parents if the student is homeschooling. Magnet schools are free public schools that allow children to focus on a specific learning path, such as an international baccalaureate program or the performing arts. Parents who want to transfer their children to a different public school should contact their local school district to see if this is possible. Virtual Virginia, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE), and the Virginia Society for Educational Technology (VSTE) are offering a professional learning series that will guide administrators, teaching instructors, and teaching centers in creating an “educational manual” that improves the training they offer to teachers at the local level.
Homeschoolers may face obstacles if they want to participate in Virginia public school sports. Families may participate in a microschool while legally studying at home or be enrolled in a private or online school. In Virginia, there are more than 1,000 private schools of all types, from religious schools to schools designed for children with special needs. Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) offers rigorous online courses that are closely aligned with Virginia standards, taught by highly qualified teachers, provide flexibility in pace, and offer differentiated, individualized teaching.
Depending on where you live in Virginia, public charter schools may be another free option you can consider. This publication will break down the school choice options available to the nearly 2 million children who live in the Old Dominion State. School districts with “magnet” schools include Fairfax County Public Schools, Newport News Public Schools, York County School Division, Hampton City Schools, and more. For example, public schools in Albemarle County generally require students to attend a school in their area but allow transfers in some cases such as for medical or emotional health reasons or because of a family move.
Families have several online learning options available including a permanent full-time online school available to students from all over the state. Whether your child wants to accelerate their learning or needs a quieter environment in which to focus virtual school might be an option worth considering. With so many options available for students living in Alexandria, VA it can be difficult to know which one is best for your child's needs and interests.
