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Frequently Asked Questions
FULL TIME Virtual School
How much does it cost to attend virtual school?
There is no cost to attend. Sarasota Virtual School is a public school for all students in grades K - 12.
If I enroll in full time Sarasota Virtual School, will I be withdrawn from my regular brick and mortar school?
Yes, students enrolled in our full time program will have Sarasota Virtual School as their official school of enrollment.
Is full time virtual school the same as Homeschooling?
No, Sarasota Virtual School is "school from home...not Homeschool". Students in SVS have the benefit of support staff, a pacing guide, progression plan, and all courses follow the school calendar.
Can a student attend Sarasota Virtual School full time to catch up on missing credits?
Unfortunately SVS does not offer credit recovery courses, so students must be on level and in the proper progression with all classes for which they are registering.
Are there instructional materials or textbooks that are required?
SVS is a completely online program. Should there be any required materials, those will be provided by your virtual program. If necessary, any textbooks and/or course materials will be shipped to the student’s home and the parent/student is responsible to return all materials to the virtual program provider at the end of the program.
What if a student does not have a home computer?
In order to be successful in the virtual environment, it is required that students have a working home computer with internet access. If a student does not have a home computer with internet access, they may pursue application with the Sarasota Technology Users Group to determine if you meet their requirements. Their website is: www.thestug.org
Does Sarasota Virtual School have an attendance policy?
Yes, attendance is taken and SVS students have the same guidelines related to truancy as students in brick and mortar schools. Attendance is reported for full time virtual school students each day that school is in session. The SVS attendance policy will be monitored by the student Adequate Weekly Progress (AWP) in the students courses. AWP is defined as a minimum of 6% quality, sequential progress each week. The time commitment needed to achieve AWP varies from student to student, however students can work in their courses at any time of the day, 7 days a week. Attendance is taken every Monday morning, dating back to the previous Monday.
How much time is required to be online each day?
Since SVS has a progress based attendance policy, the amount of time online needed to successfully reach weekly AWP can vary from student to student. However in terms of time on line, we typically see successful students spend 5-6 hours per week in each of their courses.
Can a student move at their own pace?
Yes (and no). Students may accelerate through a course (and possibly finish it early), however all students must follow a minimum pacing requirement of 6% adequate weekly progress. Students who continually fall behind pace in their courses may be required to complete schoolwork from the SVS office until they reach and maintain proper pace. Students not able to maintain proper pace may be returned to their districted school.
Will my student be required to take all state standardized tests?
Yes, just like in a traditional brick and mortar school, SVS students are required to participate in all Florida testing requirements. Parents will be notified of the times and locations of those tests. Students taking AP courses will take their AP tests at their districted school or other district brick and mortar schools offering the student's AP test.
How are decisions related to promotion, retention, or grade placement made for students participating in the District’s FT Virtual program?
All of the requirements related to student promotion, retention, and/or grade placement can be found in the District’s Student Progression Plan.
Can exceptional student education (ESE) and/or English language learner (ELL) students participate in the school district virtual instruction program?
Yes, they are eligible to enroll. However, parents of students in these programs are advised to carefully consider the appropriateness of a full-time virtual instruction program prior to enrollment. ESE services for students are limited in a virtual environment. SVS and ESE staff, as well as the IEP or 504 review team at the student’s current school, are available to discuss virtual options and the needs of the student.
What about extracurricular activities such as sports, clubs, and events?
At this time SVS does not offer any clubs within SVS, however full-time SVS students may participate in certain afterschool activities and sports at their districted school. Contact the particular school directly to request information and any potential limitations for participation.
Would my child have to report to a physical location?
All SVS students have to attend a few face to face events every year. We do not provide transportation so it is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to make sure students attend these events. These events may include: enrollment meetings, course scheduling meetings, orientations, and all district/state mandated testing. In addition, in the event that a student would fall behind or struggle with grades, attendance or academic integrity issues, additional student/parent meetings would be required.
What are some of the responsibilities of parents/guardians?
Parents/guardians must establish an environment that is conducive to a student’s learning. A full-time virtual school student is home-based, (not "homeschool") giving parents/guardians additional responsibilities for providing instructional support, monitoring daily student engagement, progress and attendance as well as communicating with teachers via email and telephone. We call the parents/guardians "Learning Coaches", and they are integral in the success of our students.
There is no cost to attend. Sarasota Virtual School is a public school for all students in grades K - 12.
If I enroll in full time Sarasota Virtual School, will I be withdrawn from my regular brick and mortar school?
Yes, students enrolled in our full time program will have Sarasota Virtual School as their official school of enrollment.
Is full time virtual school the same as Homeschooling?
No, Sarasota Virtual School is "school from home...not Homeschool". Students in SVS have the benefit of support staff, a pacing guide, progression plan, and all courses follow the school calendar.
Can a student attend Sarasota Virtual School full time to catch up on missing credits?
Unfortunately SVS does not offer credit recovery courses, so students must be on level and in the proper progression with all classes for which they are registering.
Are there instructional materials or textbooks that are required?
SVS is a completely online program. Should there be any required materials, those will be provided by your virtual program. If necessary, any textbooks and/or course materials will be shipped to the student’s home and the parent/student is responsible to return all materials to the virtual program provider at the end of the program.
What if a student does not have a home computer?
In order to be successful in the virtual environment, it is required that students have a working home computer with internet access. If a student does not have a home computer with internet access, they may pursue application with the Sarasota Technology Users Group to determine if you meet their requirements. Their website is: www.thestug.org
Does Sarasota Virtual School have an attendance policy?
Yes, attendance is taken and SVS students have the same guidelines related to truancy as students in brick and mortar schools. Attendance is reported for full time virtual school students each day that school is in session. The SVS attendance policy will be monitored by the student Adequate Weekly Progress (AWP) in the students courses. AWP is defined as a minimum of 6% quality, sequential progress each week. The time commitment needed to achieve AWP varies from student to student, however students can work in their courses at any time of the day, 7 days a week. Attendance is taken every Monday morning, dating back to the previous Monday.
How much time is required to be online each day?
Since SVS has a progress based attendance policy, the amount of time online needed to successfully reach weekly AWP can vary from student to student. However in terms of time on line, we typically see successful students spend 5-6 hours per week in each of their courses.
Can a student move at their own pace?
Yes (and no). Students may accelerate through a course (and possibly finish it early), however all students must follow a minimum pacing requirement of 6% adequate weekly progress. Students who continually fall behind pace in their courses may be required to complete schoolwork from the SVS office until they reach and maintain proper pace. Students not able to maintain proper pace may be returned to their districted school.
Will my student be required to take all state standardized tests?
Yes, just like in a traditional brick and mortar school, SVS students are required to participate in all Florida testing requirements. Parents will be notified of the times and locations of those tests. Students taking AP courses will take their AP tests at their districted school or other district brick and mortar schools offering the student's AP test.
How are decisions related to promotion, retention, or grade placement made for students participating in the District’s FT Virtual program?
All of the requirements related to student promotion, retention, and/or grade placement can be found in the District’s Student Progression Plan.
Can exceptional student education (ESE) and/or English language learner (ELL) students participate in the school district virtual instruction program?
Yes, they are eligible to enroll. However, parents of students in these programs are advised to carefully consider the appropriateness of a full-time virtual instruction program prior to enrollment. ESE services for students are limited in a virtual environment. SVS and ESE staff, as well as the IEP or 504 review team at the student’s current school, are available to discuss virtual options and the needs of the student.
What about extracurricular activities such as sports, clubs, and events?
At this time SVS does not offer any clubs within SVS, however full-time SVS students may participate in certain afterschool activities and sports at their districted school. Contact the particular school directly to request information and any potential limitations for participation.
Would my child have to report to a physical location?
All SVS students have to attend a few face to face events every year. We do not provide transportation so it is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to make sure students attend these events. These events may include: enrollment meetings, course scheduling meetings, orientations, and all district/state mandated testing. In addition, in the event that a student would fall behind or struggle with grades, attendance or academic integrity issues, additional student/parent meetings would be required.
What are some of the responsibilities of parents/guardians?
Parents/guardians must establish an environment that is conducive to a student’s learning. A full-time virtual school student is home-based, (not "homeschool") giving parents/guardians additional responsibilities for providing instructional support, monitoring daily student engagement, progress and attendance as well as communicating with teachers via email and telephone. We call the parents/guardians "Learning Coaches", and they are integral in the success of our students.
