Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do they let people take just one course at VA? FOr example, a language or specialty math class not offered at the home school?

In some situations yes, but its more of a future goal than currently happening except in specific situations. It really depends if the home school with work with them. VA doesn't have a lot of languages available right now.

Thanks. I was hoping we might have an option outside of French or Spanish next year for MS, and that maybe that could happen through VA.

They only offer French and Spanish.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do they let people take just one course at VA? FOr example, a language or specialty math class not offered at the home school?

In some situations yes, but its more of a future goal than currently happening except in specific situations. It really depends if the home school with work with them. VA doesn't have a lot of languages available right now.

Thanks. I was hoping we might have an option outside of French or Spanish next year for MS, and that maybe that could happen through VA.

Anonymous wrote:Do they let people take just one course at VA? FOr example, a language or specialty math class not offered at the home school?

In some situations yes, but its more of a future goal than currently happening except in specific situations. It really depends if the home school with work with them. VA doesn't have a lot of languages available right now.

Do they let people take just one course at VA? FOr example, a language or specialty math class not offered at the home school?

Just curious why you are asking?

What is the average size of classes in high school?

Agree with the others- the education part has been superior, in part due to the smaller class sizes. But you can’t really replicate the socialization piece with a couple sports practices per week (and one of my kids is not really into sports so still searching for a Covid-safe activity for them). We will re-evaluate next year depending on new vaccines and treatments, just not possible this year with no mitigation in mcps.

My high schooler is also having a great experience! The teachers are good and dedicated to the VA concept, which I think helps. The only thing that I worry about, and am trying to solve, is the isolation factor.

So far so good here too. It’s a welcoming environment, helps my son organize homework, missing assignments. Coursework is adequately challenging. He’s gotten individualized comments on homework assignments, which are helpful. There have been a few meet ups that I didn’t attend but glad to have them so it feels like a sense of community. Of course socially it’s a disadvantage but I did hear my son engaging with others in breakout rooms. He’s in sports 4x a week so that is my compromise for social activities. We’re new this year and pleasantly surprised.

Another very happy with VA. Teachers for the most part have been excellent and they are really making an effort each year to make things better/improve and listen to parent feedback. The main con is the social aspect. Academics/teachers are the pro.

It's great! Small class sizes and lots of individual instruction (at least at the middle level)

For those who are doing MCPS virtual academy this year - how’s it going? Can you provide a review so far - pros and cons? Thanks!