virtual academy 2022-2023

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know whether it will be a hard opt-in on application again this year?

Hard opt-in? What does that mean?

I think PP means a binding opt-in rather than being able to move back to in person at the semester mark or whatever.

You have always been able to leave at any time.

PP here. I'm not confused about the right to depart. What I'm asking about is whether one is automatically giving up one's existing seat in in-person school when applying for VA. Our kid is in a magnet program and we're not certain that we want to give that up, but we're increasingly clear that we can't expect an in-person school year undisrupted by COVID for the foreseeable future.

The fact that that was the rule last summer was the reason why we did not apply.

They will not save your seat in the magnet. Nor do they offer the magnet classes in VA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just keep in mind your long-term plans and risks as you consider the VA path. MCPS hasn’t identified alternative funding for VA going beyond the 2023-2024 school year (when the ESSER funds expire).

They’ve been very clear that they want to keep the program going. And they should- it is pretty fantastic. More attention than what they were getting in the classroom and more motivated kids.

This, they are changing the funding path. It would be nice if people wouldn't post who aren't following.

The FY23 budget still uses ESSER funds to pay for a substantial part of Virtual Academy.

It’s been changed. Keep up.

When? Based on what? The 2/14 work session discussed ESSER funds continuing to support VA.

Perhaps more significantly, ESSER funds support a variety of programs and technology expenses that will continue beyond the 2023-2024 school year beyond just virtual academy. That money is going to have to come from somewhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know whether it will be a hard opt-in on application again this year?

Hard opt-in? What does that mean?

I think PP means a binding opt-in rather than being able to move back to in person at the semester mark or whatever.

You have always been able to leave at any time.

PP here. I'm not confused about the right to depart. What I'm asking about is whether one is automatically giving up one's existing seat in in-person school when applying for VA. Our kid is in a magnet program and we're not certain that we want to give that up, but we're increasingly clear that we can't expect an in-person school year undisrupted by COVID for the foreseeable future.

The fact that that was the rule last summer was the reason why we did not apply.

They will not save your seat in the magnet. Nor do they offer the magnet classes in VA

They are talking about expanding the offerings for next year and beyond. We don't know if they will offer a magnet program or not.

We aren't fully sure if they will hold seats or not. We were told we'd be sent back to our home school and we aren't at our home school this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know whether it will be a hard opt-in on application again this year?

Hard opt-in? What does that mean?

I think PP means a binding opt-in rather than being able to move back to in person at the semester mark or whatever.

You have always been able to leave at any time.

PP here. I'm not confused about the right to depart. What I'm asking about is whether one is automatically giving up one's existing seat in in-person school when applying for VA. Our kid is in a magnet program and we're not certain that we want to give that up, but we're increasingly clear that we can't expect an in-person school year undisrupted by COVID for the foreseeable future.

The fact that that was the rule last summer was the reason why we did not apply.

We were told yes, but we are at a specialized program and still have our seat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let us say if some one from CES with MAP-R and MAP-P 270's were to move to VA for 6th grade, what kind of program rigor can we expect? Due to the lottery system now, did not get into any of the regional or consortium programs. Local school is at the bottom of the ranking list and is not an option

I'm one of the earlier posters, and my daughter was in this situation. As a rising 6th grader, we weren't yet sure we'd qualify for the VA, and so we asked her home school whether she could go into Algebra 1. They refused. I was so relieved when the VA switched her to Algebra in the first week of school without so much as a raised eyebrow! Since she was also in her 6th year of violin, she was placed in advanced orchestra.

Truthfully, it's all pretty boring and easy for her. But that's not the VA's fault. Her home school would have been even worse, since they refused to accelerate her.

MCPS really needs to expand magnet seating AND do away with that unfair lottery. To keep life interesting, my daughter belongs to an online community of writers and artists, where she's more challenged, and she plays in an audition-based orchestra and chamber group. It'll get better when she's in high school - either she'll be in a magnet program, or she can do a ton of AP classes.

Thank you for sharing helpful information. Online community of writers and artists sound really interesting. Would you mind sharing some info on how to join the group? My DC is both a good writer as well as an artist. Art is her passion and does take classes in painting

[Anonymous]

When will MCPS notify the parents on acceptance into VA? Lately there is no transparency in the way MCPS make decisions.

[Anonymous]

I would love it if VA would let a child take a specialty class (like a language class only offered at a handful of MCPS) but the child would stay in-person for other classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would love it if VA would let a child take a specialty class (like a language class only offered at a handful of MCPS) but the child would stay in-person for other classes.

They are talking about offering that in the future but a huge issue is every school is on different schedules.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When will MCPS notify the parents on acceptance into VA? Lately there is no transparency in the way MCPS make decisions.

There hasn't been an update. There should be space next year from discussions but last year they did let a lot of families in till August or even September. I'm assuming they are going to move a lot quicker this year but they are also still trying to reach out to some families to get a headcount of who plans to return.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When will MCPS notify the parents on acceptance into VA? Lately there is no transparency in the way MCPS make decisions.

There hasn't been an update. There should be space next year from discussions but last year they did let a lot of families in till August or even September. I'm assuming they are going to move a lot quicker this year but they are also still trying to reach out to some families to get a headcount of who plans to return.

Have they reached out to folks who already applied for VA? We have not heard back anything. MCPS is becoming a dark box. ParentVue showed application has been approved, then after a couple of days, status shows under review. Not sure what the heck is going on there. Absolutely no transparency.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When will MCPS notify the parents on acceptance into VA? Lately there is no transparency in the way MCPS make decisions.

There hasn't been an update. There should be space next year from discussions but last year they did let a lot of families in till August or even September. I'm assuming they are going to move a lot quicker this year but they are also still trying to reach out to some families to get a headcount of who plans to return.

Have they reached out to folks who already applied for VA? We have not heard back anything. MCPS is becoming a dark box. ParentVue showed application has been approved, then after a couple of days, status shows under review. Not sure what the heck is going on there. Absolutely no transparency.

I don't know but you have to understand they don't have nearly the staffing that a regular school has and the main office staff are doing the jobs of multiple people and work many hours and are trying very hard. They are probably still waiting for other families to decide if they are returning as many of us aren't sure what we are doing for next year and then someone has to go through all the applications and that takes time. Its a brand new school so you could cut them some slack. Call the main office if you want more information.

[Anonymous]

Nothing so far and its hard to get anyone on phone. Unfortunately nothing is transparent anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nothing so far and its hard to get anyone on phone. Unfortunately nothing is transparent anymore.

They don’t have a lot of staffing and trying to finish up the school year. Relax.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nothing so far and its hard to get anyone on phone. Unfortunately nothing is transparent anymore.

They don’t have a lot of staffing and trying to finish up the school year. Relax.

Are you an insider or something? or PR firm? You seem to be so sure of staffing shortage and post this in almost all threads.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nothing so far and its hard to get anyone on phone. Unfortunately nothing is transparent anymore.

They don’t have a lot of staffing and trying to finish up the school year. Relax.

Are you an insider or something? or PR firm? You seem to be so sure of staffing shortage and post this in almost all threads.

We are at school. It’s not hard to see. They are not staffed like a regular school. If you don’t like that, maybe find another school or stay at the one you are at.