General Information

Flexible, Personalized Learning for Independent Young Scholars

Gulf Shores Virtual Academy K–5 is designed to provide motivated, independent learners with the opportunity to thrive in a flexible, personalized learning environment.

Virtual education offers families a number of benefits—customizable learning, time flexibility, and a focus on individual student needs. With these advantages comes an increased responsibility for both students and parents in the areas of time management, organization, and self-direction.

Academy Highlights:

Instruction by Alabama-certified teachers
Flexible and personalized learning experiences
Individualized academic plans
Self-paced learning with opportunities for acceleration
Daily schedule flexibility
Blended learning opportunities with face-to-face enrichment
Access to support services including:
- Gifted education teachers
- Special education teachers
- Counselors
- School lunch program

Academic Integrity

Students are required to sign a commitment form attesting to academic integrity regarding each of the following statements.

●      All individual assignments and tests must be completed by the student.
●      Any collaboration on individual assignments must be pre-approved by the teacher.
●      Plagiarism will not be allowed in any form including copying or using the ideas or words of others and presenting them as one’s own.
●      Students will not allow others to copy their work.
●      Students will take all tests under the supervision of an approved proctor in person.
●      Content from the Internet will not be misused or misrepresented.

Teachers utilize a variety of technologies to check student work for authenticity. If it is determined that a student has not adhered to the academic integrity commitment, the student will be subject to a failing grade, removal from the course, and any other consequences determined by Gulf Shores Virtual Academy K-5 and Gulf Shores City Schools. Click Here for the Academic Integrity form.

Academic Support and Additional Attendance Requirements

Students who fall behind comparable course progress or who do not maintain at least a 80% overall average in each course will be required to participate in face-to-face and/or video conferencing for Academic Support. Students participating in Academic Support will be required to meet with staff at Gulf Shores Virtual Academy K-5 to complete an Academic Support Plan. The plan will designate a specific number of days (2-5) per week and hours (3-7) per day that the student is required to report to Gulf Shores Virtual Academy K-5 for support and to complete online coursework. On school days that the student is not required to report in person to Gulf Shores Virtual Academy K-5, the student will be expected to log in to his/her courses to complete assignments at home, and online attendance will be taken. Once a student has maintained comparable course progression as well as a 80 or higher in each of the core classes for two consecutive weeks, the student will no longer be required to participate in face-to-face Academic Support.

Accommodations

At-Risk Students

Attendance and Student Accountability

Students are expected to adhere to the pacing guides that will be provided. All work that is assigned for the week must be completed by the end of the week.
Students are expected to maintain at least a “80” average in each class.
Students who fall behind in their coursework or their grades will be assigned additional required videoconferencing sessions and/or face-to-face sessions. Attendance will be taken.

Blended Virtual

Curriculum

The Gulf Shores Virtual Academy K-5 uses FlexPoint Education Cloud, a program administered by the Gulf Shores City Schools. FlexPoint Education Cloud includes standard and enrichment courses. All course curricula are aligned to Alabama Courses of Study and taught by instructors certified by the Alabama State Department of Education. Gulf Shores Virtual Academy K-5 also offers locally developed online core and elective courses. Click HERE for elementary online course offerings.

In addition to online courses, students can participate in enrichment electives taught online through Canvas or face-to-face STEAM (Science,Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) classes at an off campus location. Students must select at least one elective per semester. The enrichment elective activities will include multiple grade levels. Students will need to register in advance for face-to-face electives.

All students will take a minimum of 5 full courses per year. At least 4 of the 5 courses will be in the core areas of math, science, history, and English Language Arts. Students will select at least 1 enrichment elective course. They may select additional enrichment elective courses if desired.

Expectations for Attendance, Course Progression, and Minimum Grades

Gulf Shores Virtual Academy K-5 students are expected to progress through their courses at a rate that is at a minimum comparable to similar face-to-face courses offered at Gulf Shores City Schools. Students are permitted to work ahead in their courses. In addition to adequate course progression, students are also expected to maintain at least a 80% average in each course. Course progression and academic achievement will be monitored frequently.

All students are encouraged to contact their Gulf Shores Virtual Academy K--5 teacher when they would like assistance with courses and/or technology.

Fees

Registration fees are not required for the Virtual Academy.
Non-Resident Applicants will be charged a $100.00 non-refundable application fee. If you are mailing your application, please include a check or money order made payable to "Gulf Shores City Schools" or pay online at https://gulfshorescityal.csiepay.com/Views/Payment/Pay.aspx. If you are hand delivering your application, you may pay by check or money order in the Central Office.
Parents can purchase t-shirts and yearbooks through the traditional school.
Students who return to the traditional school at the quarter will need to pay pro-rated registration fees.

Grades

Location

Lunch Program

Lunches will be available for students to pick up daily Monday through Friday. Click HERE if you plan on participating in the virtual academy lunch program. You will need to complete the Free/Reduced Meals Application or purchase your lunch at the school. Students will be able to pick up lunches from the back door of the cafeteria at the high school at 10:00 each school day.

Proctored Tests

Students are required to take all unit tests and term examinations at Gulf Shores Virtual Academy K-5 in the physical presence of Gulf Shores Virtual Academy staff. Typically, students report to campus two days per week to take proctored tests.

Gulf Shores Virtual Academy students are required to take all state-mandated assessments per the Gulf Shores City Schools’ State Assessment Schedule at the designated school site.

District

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