Innovative Pathways Full-Time Virtual Program Pilot
Jump to: Overview | Criteria | Instruction | Comparison Chart | Technology | Online Safety | Contact
Overview
Innovative Pathways will be piloting a no-cost, full-time virtual program option for HCPSS students who are entering or repeating ninth grade during the 2023-2024 school year. The program will provide students the opportunity to take classes and earn credits virtually, while receiving support services from both Innovative Pathways and their designated home school.
Criteria for Participation
The full-time virtual program is grant-funded for the 2023-2024 school year and there will be limited enrollment. It is designed for students who would benefit from learning virtually for the 2023-2024 school year.
Criteria include, but are not limited to students who:
- Are current 9th grade HCPSS students
- Are unable to regularly attend school due to medical reasons but who do not qualify for Home & Hospital Instruction
- Are unable to regularly attend school due to a social-emotional diagnosis
The full-time virtual program is best suited for students who:
- Demonstrate consistent academic performance
- Have a commitment to attend classes daily and actively participate
- Are able to complete assignments independently
- Create and maintain a schedule of tasks and due dates
- Can organize their learning materials and work space
- May have previous experience/success with virtual learning
Note: The full-time pilot is not designed for students struggling with academic performance. Students who do not attend virtual instructional lessons or make adequate academic progress in their course(s) may be subject to withdrawal from the program and would be expected to return to in-person instruction at their assigned home school.
Instruction
Innovative Pathways full-time virtual students will receive live, real-time (synchronous) instruction from HCPSS Innovative Pathways teachers. Classes will meet four days per week via Google Meet. Students will also receive asynchronous assignments and have individual conferences with their teacher one day per week. Innovative Pathways courses will meet the same standard as outlined in HCPSS curriculum.
View the IP Virtual Weekly Schedule
Students enrolled in the full-time virtual program will continue to be enrolled in their assigned home school and have access to the same supplemental programs and services as students at their home school. Students can choose to enroll in electives and participate in extracurricular activities, including athletics, at their assigned school as their schedules and transportation allows. However, students will receive their majority of their instruction through Innovative Pathways.
Comparison Chart
The following chart compares the Innovative Pathways Full-Time Virtual Program Pilot to Traditional High School.
| Full-Time Virtual Program Pilot | Traditional High School | |
|---|---|---|
| Grade levels | Current Grade 9 Repeating Grade 9 |
Grades 9 – 12 |
| Instructional Model | Synchronous virtual instruction and digital assignments either during or outside the school day | In-person instruction during the school day |
| Location | Virtual | HCPSS high school building |
| Instructional Delivery | HCPSS teachers – virtual instruction using Google Meet | HCPSS teachers – in-person instruction |
| Course Availability | HCPSS Core Academic Courses for Grade 9
Limited elective and related art options |
HCPSS Catalog of Approved High School Courses |
| Supplemental Programs | Access to all HCPSS supplemental programs (Beyond School Hours, Digital Education, Evening Program, Summer Program) | |
| Cost to Families | No cost | No cost |
| Student Support Services | Provided virtually by Innovative Pathways and the student’s assigned home school | Provided in-person by the student’s assigned home school |
| Transportation | Not applicable | If eligible |
| Meals | Available for purchase or free/reduced-price at the student’s assigned home school | |
Technology Requirements & Online Expectations
Students will need to have reliable internet access and a personal laptop or HCPSS-owned Chromebook. Additional information is available on the Student Devices webpage.
Students are expected to attend scheduled virtual Google Meet instructional lessons, and should review:
Contact
For more information about the Virtual Program:
- Email IPVirtual@hcpss.org
- Call 410-313-5334 (Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)
Email messages will receive a faster response than calling the program phone number. Phone messages will be returned after reviewing voicemail messages within 24 hours during the school week.