Yes. Students will be dropped from their home school of attendance and registered at the ACCESS Academy school. ACCESS will be the students home school and the student will only be allowed to attend events hosted through ACCESS Academy.  

In general, transferring from ACCESS Academy to a brick-and-mortar school should not be significantly different from transferring between two traditional schools. Parents would need to notify ACCESS staff of their desire to transfer their student and complete the required paperwork. It is recommended that if a switch back to the school site is desired, this be done at the semester. 

The structure of a virtual classroom in ACCESS is set up similarly to an in-person classroom. In the ACCESS model, students log in to class daily with their teacher where they receive live instruction for the entire school day. Students can also view assignments, access course materials, monitor their progress on lessons, contact their teachers for support, interact with classmates and request services.

Yes! The virtual classes established in ACCESS follow a traditional school day. Students will need to be logged in and online during school hours. We follow a traditional school day schedule similar to in person instruction.  

Some virtual courses may also have an asynchronous component, where students are directed to work independently. 

ACCESS Academy will have in person options embedded within the program to provide additional supports for students. Students may complete team-building activities with other students, project-based learning assignments, and at the high school level may have on site lab options required for their science courses. Additionally, we will have events such as Back to School Night in which attendance is highly encouraged. 

Social interaction is key to the building of soft skills for students. Virtual students need to socialize just like their traditional school peers. Therefore, online students are required to have  their camera on during class hours. Students will be expected to engage in online class discussions and group work. Virtual students may also be offered field trips and other events.  

Just as in traditional classes, the workload varies – but don’t expect your courses and assignment to be easier just because they’re done virtually. Virtual learners should be expected to spend 15 to 20 hours a week on coursework.  

Virtual course assignments depend largely on the selected course. But in general, students should expect assignments similar to those in the typical brick and mortar school setting, such as research papers, assessments, as well as online-specific assignments unique to online learning. Virtual students will also be required to complete group projects where students communicate virtually, as well as complete remote presentations.  

Progress monitoring of student completion of coursework is usually embedded within the established curriculum. If an exam requires an in-person assessment, such as Advanced Placement exams, teachers will coordinate with students to administer the exam in a setting within the school site. If a student is unable to attend a site within the district, administrators will work with the teacher, student, and parent to locate a testing site. Students may also take virtually monitored exams online, where a proctor watches via webcam or where computer software detects cheating by checking test-takers’ screens. All students will still be required to participate in state testing either in-person or online, if available. There tests include ELPAC, SBAC, and physical fitness testing.  

Students in ACCESS Academy turn in homework, write assignments, complete projects and take quizzes and tests. Work is usually submitted via email or through Microsoft Teams. Teachers grade projects and written pieces. Students who participate in ACCESS Academy will complete the same district assessments and the same statewide assessments tests all students within the district complete. Students will continually be monitored for their progress in mastery of standards and continuing assessments by their teachers. With this ongoing progress monitoring, students and parents often express an added benefit over traditional brick and mortar schools. 

In ACCESS Academy, especially at the elementary school level, learning coaches (often parents) play a significant role in giving students the attention they need. This differs from the more independent, self-guided nature of online secondary courses. Learning coaches (parents) may facilitate communication between students and their online teachers. They are critical to helping their student use tools such as video conferencing, discussion boards, email or telephone. This model is created to establish a circle of support between home and school. It is very important that learning coaches take the time to learn about the technology their student will be using during virtual instruction. At the secondary level, students are expected to advocate for their educational needs as they become independent learners. 

ACCESS Academy is free to students living within our FUSD boundaries. All necessary materials needed to be successful in the program will be provided by the district to students. Students will be provided computers, instructional curriculum and other items free of charge. The district is currently working on free internet access to all students within the district; however, it is the parents’ responsibility to ensure internet access is available to their student. If additional support is needed for internet access or additional materials, families should work with district administrators for these needs.  

All information is sent out to parents through email and Parent Square. It is critical that parents are checking and responding to emails DAILY. Sometimes, ACCESS staff will call parents as well. We cannot stress the importance of parents keeping us updated of any changes/updates to phone numbers or email addresses.  

Parents/guardians (also referred to as learning coaches) play a critical role in the success of their student while attending school online. Below is a list of important roles parents will be responsible for: 

• Must ensure student is up and in class on time, all day, everyday 

• Must ensure there is a quiet space for student to work, free from distractions 
• Must ensure students camera is turned on during class hours 
• Must ensure student is turning in work 
• Must ensure you have internet access during school hours 
• Must check emails daily and respond in a timely manner 

• Must monitor students grade using Q Parent Connect portal 

While online school is a wonderful alternative to in-person schooling, parents must understand it is not ideal for every student/family. Much more responsibility is placed upon both the student and parent as the student’s “classroom” is the environment you create at home.  

Although learning spaces and environments can be flexible with ACCESS Academy, internet and access to educational programs is not reliable when out of the country or in a location without reliable Wi-Fi. Please plan to attend school all 180 days.