Anonymous
Post 05/18/2022 16:35     Subject: virtual academy 2022-2023
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.
Anonymous
Post 05/18/2022 14:23     Subject: Re:virtual academy 2022-2023
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.



For the music part, even in person, she isn't going to be challenged and we are probably in the same audition based orchestra and if you are comparing anything MCPS to that, its not even comparable. The level of playing and instruction is greatly different. For those things, regardless of virtual or in person, you have to do them outside of MCPS.

MCPS creates the curriculum, not the schools, so for everything but math, it is pretty slow and boring. There is no acceleration in English, Math or Social Studies at any school.

One thing to think about is if you do plan to go back to your home school and you put your 6th grader on the Algebra track (and we did too), is that your home school may not have Algebra 2 and your child may have to go to the local high school to take it as the VA and home school schedules do not align.
Anonymous
Post 05/18/2022 14:19     Subject: virtual academy 2022-2023
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My child did it for 1st quarter, but it did not work well for him. I know there were growing pains, but it was hard to deal with (it does sound like they’ve worked out the kinks).

I would not recommend it for those needing special education services. Those teachers are spread too thin. I think it really only truly works if there’s a stay at home parent (not a work from home).


We have a work at home parent and it’s been fine. It took a while for everything to work out, but once it did they’ve been doing a great job.


Do you have a special needs kid or one who needs extra help? How old are they?

We know a family in VA because one of their kids has significant health challenges, which makes the child vulnerable to Covid but also comes with some learning disabilities. One parent has had to scale back work significantly to sit with the child daily and keep them on track. Their other kid is largely self-sufficient. But it’s been hard because the lost income affects their ability to provide the other child all of the therapies they need. Plus it’s been very isolating. I have no doubt VA has been a wonderful experience for many people but for some it was the lesser of two bad choices.


I don't get why you are posting here when you have zero direct experience with VA.
Anonymous
Post 05/18/2022 13:38     Subject: Re:virtual academy 2022-2023
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.

Anonymous
Post 05/18/2022 13:27     Subject: virtual academy 2022-2023
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My child did it for 1st quarter, but it did not work well for him. I know there were growing pains, but it was hard to deal with (it does sound like they’ve worked out the kinks).

I would not recommend it for those needing special education services. Those teachers are spread too thin. I think it really only truly works if there’s a stay at home parent (not a work from home).


We have a work at home parent and it’s been fine. It took a while for everything to work out, but once it did they’ve been doing a great job.


Do you have a special needs kid or one who needs extra help? How old are they?

We know a family in VA because one of their kids has significant health challenges, which makes the child vulnerable to Covid but also comes with some learning disabilities. One parent has had to scale back work significantly to sit with the child daily and keep them on track. Their other kid is largely self-sufficient. But it’s been hard because the lost income affects their ability to provide the other child all of the therapies they need. Plus it’s been very isolating. I have no doubt VA has been a wonderful experience for many people but for some it was the lesser of two bad choices.
Anonymous
Post 05/18/2022 13:07     Subject: virtual academy 2022-2023
Anonymous wrote:My child did it for 1st quarter, but it did not work well for him. I know there were growing pains, but it was hard to deal with (it does sound like they’ve worked out the kinks).

I would not recommend it for those needing special education services. Those teachers are spread too thin. I think it really only truly works if there’s a stay at home parent (not a work from home).


We have a work at home parent and it’s been fine. It took a while for everything to work out, but once it did they’ve been doing a great job.
Anonymous
Post 05/18/2022 13:05     Subject: virtual academy 2022-2023
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.
Anonymous
Post 05/18/2022 13:05     Subject: virtual academy 2022-2023
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.
Anonymous
Post 05/18/2022 09:17     Subject: virtual academy 2022-2023
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.
Anonymous
Post 05/18/2022 08:45     Subject: virtual academy 2022-2023
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.
Anonymous
Post 05/18/2022 08:36     Subject: virtual academy 2022-2023
My child did it for 1st quarter, but it did not work well for him. I know there were growing pains, but it was hard to deal with (it does sound like they’ve worked out the kinks).

I would not recommend it for those needing special education services. Those teachers are spread too thin. I think it really only truly works if there’s a stay at home parent (not a work from home).
Anonymous
Post 05/18/2022 01:09     Subject: virtual academy 2022-2023
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?
Anonymous
Post 05/18/2022 01:03     Subject: virtual academy 2022-2023
Does anyone know whether it will be a hard opt-in on application again this year?
Anonymous
Post 05/17/2022 18:52     Subject: Re:virtual academy 2022-2023
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


It would be equal to your home school but they do have some kids in Algebra in 6th. Your situation is pretty common. You just have to talk to them.


My CES DC has thrived academically and loved it. They were placed in the same accelerated MS classes they would have been if in person.
Anonymous
Post 05/17/2022 18:51     Subject: virtual academy 2022-2023
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:How do kids in the VA get their social needs met? Are there any in person meet ups coordinated?


That is one of the big issues. They formed a parent group this year and held two socials and hope to hold more next year. Everyone is trying but since everything is so new it’s taking time. Some of the grades have had parents pull together things too. In theory you can participate in home school activities but some schools are inclusive and some are not.


That sounds incredibly awkward.


It is. Hopefully it is something that will change next year. Our home school did not allow us to participate so we did outside activities. Other schools worked really hard to include the virtual students.

In time, it will all get worked out. They’ve done a really good job with what they have.

VA does have some clubs that just started at lunch but they are all virtual and an SGA. They are trying and listening to feedback.


I don't disagree, but we just found a work around by involving both of our kids in sports and clubs. I don't feel my kids have had any regression socially. Btw, I'm a teacher out of district and was very sensitive to this.