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Are classes provided Monday through Friday?
Yes. They are the same as your home school and follow the school calendar.
Will my student speak with or hear from a teacher each school day?
UCS Virtual Academy teachers will be connecting with students daily during the class hour assigned.
Will my child receive letter grades at the end of each Virtual Academy semester?
Yes, students will receive reports cards with grades per UCS Board of Education Policy 6205.
Are assessments the same for virtual and in-person students?
Yes.
I have more than one student enrolled in Utica Community Schools. Can family members be enrolled in different learning methods?
Yes. UCS is designing options to offer flexibility for each learner allowing parents to decide what best meets the needs of their children.
If my child begins the school year in virtual learning, can we switch back to in-person learning if needed or desired?
Once enrolled in the Virtual Academy, students will attend for a minimum of one semester. Transitions back to their school, if desired, may only occur at the semester breaks after consulting with teachers, counselors and administrators.
If counselors are assigning courses for students that align to their personalized learning plan, will my child’s courses/schedule be different than they would receive in-person?
Schedules and courses will be aligned to UCS schedules for easy transitions and flexibility.
Are Advanced Placement or Honors courses part of the Virtual Academy curriculum?
Yes. These courses will be offered.
How will Specialty Programs work in the Virtual Academy – UAIS, UCMST, UCSI and Stevenson MADE, and Montessori?
Classes that are taught in Specialty Programs are not available in the Virtual Academy. In order to enroll in the Virtual Academy, a specialty program student would need to drop the program. Due to the nature of the program and to increase health and safety, UCMST and UCSI will automatically be placed in the Virtual Academy for non-Specialty Program classes for the first semester.
With elementary students, what role does the parent or guardian play in the day-to-day schooling within the Virtual Academy?
The virtual program is being developed for ease of use in the household. Parent involvement will be needed for elementary students for the set-up, routine of instructional hours and encouragement. The teacher will provide the direct instruction.
As a family considering the Virtual Academy, what teaching assistance resources will be provided to parents while my child learns at home?
The Virtual Academy is intended to engage each student in their learning. Counselors will provide support to parents based on the learning needs of their student.
How will lab work be conducted? (Chemistry, health sciences, etc.)
Coursework and lessons are developed to utilize household materials for labs and learning.
Will my child be able to take part in sports if enrolled at the Virtual Academy?
Yes. Students enrolled in the Virtual Academy may participate in their assigned school’s athletic program.
My child struggles in certain subjects and will need more one-on-one attention than most students do, how will UCS teachers be able to help my child learn?
The teacher will be the primary contact for learning. Through the UCS Virtual Academy additional supports from a counselor, and tutoring opportunities will be available to all enrolled students.
My child requires special supports such as an IEP or a 504 Plan. How does the Virtual Academy provide for my student?
A review of the student’s IEP and 504 will occur prior to placement.
Will counseling and mental health support be available to Virtual Academy students?
Yes. Counseling and Mental Health Curriculum will be available.
Will being enrolled in the Virtual Academy negatively impact my child’s GPA?
No. GPA’s will be consistent with UCS Board of Education Grading Policy 6205.
Will being enrolled in the Virtual Academy negatively impact my child being recommended for Advanced Math or other Advanced classes next year?
No. The courses are taught by UCS teachers and are equivalent to the offerings in the K-12 schools.
Does virtual learning observe the same holiday and half-day schedule as in-person learning?
Yes. Schedules for students will be the same across the district.
Will my student’s grades be listed in PowerSchool?
Yes. All students’ grades, throughout the district, will be maintained in PowerSchool.
How will report cards be delivered at the Virtual Academy?
Report cards will be electronically delivered district-wide through PowerSchool.
If the State of Michigan or Utica Community Schools closes schools for in-person instruction again, will all students convert to using this virtual learning platform while remote learning?
No. Students attending fact-to-face instruction will be able to transition to remote learning provided by their classroom teacher. Students that are in the UCS Virtual Academy will remain in the virtual academy with their current teachers assigned.
We do not have a device for our child to use. Will students enrolled in the Virtual Academy be provided a district-issued device to use for the school year?
Yes. All UCS students will have a district-issued device.
My child has their own computer, can it be used for the Virtual Academy?
No. A specific menu for learning will be deployed on the UCS provided device that enrolled UCS Virtual Academy students will receive.
Will electives such as art, choir and woodshop be held? CTE?
Yes, pending the number of students enrolled in the class.
Would we contact our principal in our attendance area if we have issues with any virtual teacher/instructor?
Yes, the principal will contact the program administrator for the UCS Virtual Academy.