500 applications already recieved
Finger pointing with the words "We Want You."Nick Fewings/Unsplash
Montgomery County Public Schools will be going back to full time 5 days a week in-person instruction in the fall. However, due to popular demand, they will also be offering a Virtual Academy as parents found that their children succeeded in an online environment. However, the brick-and-mortar school and virtual program are not in competition with one another. The virtual program will not be the same as remote learning. Remote learning during the pandemic was a modified curriculum and schedule to fit the needs of the staff and students. As the county and state enter the final phase of reopening, the schools will reflect those changes as they move back to their pre-pandemic schedules and rigor.
According to the update from Dr. Trenkamp, the Virtual Academy will mirror the brick-and-mortar school calendar. Grades kindergarten through eighth grade will be a fully synchronous experience. The high school program will have a higher expectation for maturity as students will engage in more asynchronous and independent learning situations.
The virtual space will align with the MCPS curriculum and vice versa the curriculum will match the online space. The virtual program will not be the same as the remote learning MCPS students have experienced for the last 15 months. Remote learning during the pandemic was a modified curriculum and schedule to fit the needs of the staff and students. As Maryland and Montgomery County enter the final phase of reopening, the schools will reflect those changes as they move back to their pre-pandemic schedules and rigor.
For the 2021-2022 school year, the program will serve students with qualifying extenuating circumstances (including physical and mental health-related reasons, as well as demonstrated academic success during virtual learning). The Virtual Academy will be a centrally managed program and will partner with students’ home schools to provide the academic and social-emotional support students need to thrive in virtual instruction.—Montgomery County Public Schools, Virtual Academy
The application process for Montgomery County’s Virtual Academy will be until July 2. In addition to parent meetings, parents will be working with MCPS staff to fully understand the program and decide if it is the right fit for their child. There are currently 500 applications to the Virtual Academy.
Parent information meetings will take place on the following days:
- Tuesday, June 8: 6-7 p.m.
- Thursday, June 10: 12-1p.m.
- Thursday, June 10: 6-7 p.m. (Spanish interpretation will be provided)
- Monday, June 14: 5-6 p.m.
- Tuesday, June 15: 10-11 a.m.
- Thursday, June 17: 6-7 p.m.
There are 3 ways to apply to the program:
- Applying on ParentVue
- Drop off a paper application form and supporting documents at the summer school office at Carver Educational Services, 850 Hungerford Drive in Rockville in Room 110 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
- Email the application form and supporting documentation to MoCoVirtual@mcpsmd.org
Important considerations for the Virtual Academy:
- Full-time enrollment
- Year-long commitment—However, there is an opportunity to transition back to the home school during a designated transfer window.
- Dedicated staffing. The Virtual Academy will be staffed centrally and include administrators, teachers, counselors, and paraprofessional staff. Teachers will be fully certified and be a part of the MCPS workforce.
- Application program. Parents will need to submit an application and documentation for consideration. There are currently 500 applications to the Virtual Academy.
- Access to services. Students who are in the virtual academy will receive services such as meals, extracurricular activities, and athletics through their home school.
It is important to note the following that the program will serve students with qualifying exentuating circumstances such as physical and mental health realted reasons. Students will need to demonstrate academic success during virtual learning.
Have you considered the MCPS Virtual Academy for your student? What are your thoughts? Drop me a comment and let me know!