Innovative Pathways Full-Time Virtual Program
Jump to: Overview | Criteria | Instruction | Comparison Chart | Technology & Expectations | FAQs | Contact
Enrollment requests for the full-time virtual program for the 2024-2025 school year are closed.
On Tuesday, March 4, 2025, the Board of Education adopted its requested operating budget which included $1,141,978 to expand the Innovative Pathways Virtual Program for the 25-26 school year. The next step in the process is to learn what the County Executive will propose in his budget. Information regarding the FY26 budget can be found on the Operating Budget webpage.
After the Board of Education adopts the final budget, typically in late May, enrollment requests for the 25-26 school year will open to families.
Overview
Innovative Pathways offers a full-time virtual program option for HCPSS students who are entering or repeating ninth or tenth grade during the 2024-2025 school year. The program provides students the opportunity to take classes and earn credits virtually, while receiving support services from both Innovative Pathways and their assigned high school.
Criteria for Participation
The full-time virtual program has limited enrollment. It is designed for students who would benefit from learning virtually for the 2024-2025 school year.
To participate in the full-time virtual program, students may be:
- Current, or repeating, 9th or 10th grade HCPSS students who are not finding academic success with in-person learning due to extenuating circumstances
- Unable to regularly attend school due to medical reasons but who do not qualify for Home & Hospital Instruction
- 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 virtual program 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Students who do not attend virtual instructional lessons or make adequate academic progress in their course(s) will be withdrawn from the program and will be expected to return to in-person instruction at their designated high school.
Instruction
Innovative Pathways full-time virtual students receive live, real-time (synchronous) instruction from HCPSS Innovative Pathways teachers. Students login to class every day via Google Meet. Students have four days of instruction, have individual conferences with their teachers one day per week, and receive asynchronous assignments.
View the Innovative Pathways Virtual Weekly Schedule
Supplemental Programs
Students enrolled in the full-time virtual program will continue to be enrolled in their designated high school and have access to the same supplemental programs and services as students at their designated high school. Students can choose to enroll in electives and participate in extracurricular activities, including athletics, at their 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 to Traditional High School.
| Full-Time Virtual Program | Traditional High School | |
|---|---|---|
| Grade levels | Entering Grade 9 or 10
Repeating Grade 9 or 10 |
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 school building for testing as needed | HCPSS high school building |
| Instructional Delivery | HCPSS teachers – virtual instruction using Google Meet | HCPSS teachers – in-person instruction |
| Course Availability | HCPSS Core Academic Courses and limited electives for Grades 9 and 10 | 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 | |
| Student Support Services | Provided virtually by Innovative Pathways and the student’s designated high school | Provided in-person by the student’s designated high school |
| Transportation | Not applicable NOTE: if a student elects to take an in-person course at their designated high school in the morning, parents/guardians are responsible for transportation |
If eligible |
| Meals | Available for purchase or free/reduced-price at the student’s designated high school | |
Technology Requirements & Online Expectations
Students will need reliable internet access at home and are required to use a HCPSS-owned Chromebook to access classes. Students may use a personal device to complete assignments outside of class. Chromebook information is available on the Student Devices webpage.
Innovative Pathways full-time virtual students are expected to actively participate in live, real-time (synchronous) instruction using their camera and microphone. Online expectations and guidelines are listed below:
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.