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Innovative Pathways Full-Time Virtual Program

Jump to: Overview | Criteria | Instruction | Comparison Chart | Technology & Expectations | Apply | FAQs | Contact

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Students who do not attend virtual instructional lessons or make adequate academic progress in their course(s) will be withdrawn from the program and will be expected to return to in-person instruction at their designated high school.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:

Applying

How & When to Apply

A Virtual Program Interest Form for parents/guardians who would like their child to be considered for the full-time virtual program beginning Quarter 3 will be available beginning Monday, Dec. 16, and may be submitted Dec. 16, 2024-Jan. 21, 2025.

Once submitted, interest forms will be reviewed by the Innovative Pathways team and parents will be notified by email. Accepted students will be required to attend an in-person orientation session at 9 a.m. on either Jan. 17th or 24 at the Homewood Center. See below for specific date information.

Forms Submitted By Parent Notification By Orientation
Jan. 3, 2025 Jan. 14, 2025 Jan. 17, 2025
Jan. 10, 2025 Jan. 21, 2025 Jan. 24, 2025

Interest Form

Beginning Dec. 16, 2024, parents/guardians may access the Virtual Program Interest Form online here.

Parents/guardians should only complete the interest form if their child:

Please note, if your child has an IEP, a meeting must be held with the high school special education team to determine if the child’s goals can be met through the virtual program before finalizing enrollment.

Contact

For more information about the Virtual Program:

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.