FAQ
What are the benefits of PVUSD Independent Study Virtual Academy?
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Safety - Students and families not comfortable returning in person to the school site, have the comfort of knowing that instruction is 100% all online.
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Flexibility - Students and families may create their own instructional time schedule so long as all work assigned is completed each week. This benefits students who are employed, working families, and families who travel.
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Individual Attention to Best Support Each Student - Students can move through the courses at their own pace. Acceleration courses as well as intervention courses will be offered. A Supervising Teacher, Counselor, and Technology Coordinator is available for each individual student.
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College and Career Readiness - Allows students to take their education beyond the walls of the classroom and master key concepts as they progress through grade level content. Prepares students to become self-motivated learners.
Do Students Attend at a Physical School Site?
No. PVUSD Independent Study Virtual Academy is 100% online instruction. The program offers flexibility to students and families to complete the work from any location.
The "physical" school site is located in two portables on the Watsonville High School Campus.
What is the Instructional Schedule and What is a Supervising Teacher?
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Students are assigned a PVUSD Certified Supervising Teacher. A PVUSD Certified Teacher who meets individually with each student and parent(s)/guardian(s) once a week (30-45 minutes) or more if needed to assist and support the students progress, review and collect work, review the student's Personalized Learning Plan (PLP), offer socio-emotional support as well as academic support.
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Students must meet
CDE minimum instructional minutes per school day:
Kindergarten: 3 hours daily
Grades 1-3: 3 hours 53 minutes daily
Grades 4-8: 4 hours daily
Grades 9-12: 6 hours daily
What is a Personalized Learning Plan?
A weekly scheduled agreement between the student, parent(s)/guardian(s) and Supervising Teacher. The PLP includes a daily time schedule for each subject area, the lesson modules that will be completed that week, a summary depicting what was learned/applied that week, and a select a focus group for the next week.
What is the Curriculum?
The curriculum is purchased from FlexPoint and eDynamic Learning. The coursework is CA state standards and Common Core Standards based. The curriculum is accessed in Schoology. Supplemental apps include Lexia, Lexia, English, ST Math (grades K-3), Khan Academy, MAP Accelerator, MyOn, Accelerated Reader, Paper Tutoring, Sown to Grow, etc. Digital interactive tools include Seesaw, Flipgrid, Desmos, Kami, Jamboard, Screencastify, The curriculum is Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) accredited as well as A-G, UC and NCAA approved.
Are Accelerated Courses Offered?
Accelerated courses are offered for all Middle School core courses (Language Art, Math, Science and Social Studies). Honors courses are offered for most core high school courses. Students in both Middle School and High School may accelerate by completing a full year course in one semester, taking 45 credits a semester (9 courses), take a higher level course based on measurable outcomes.
Does an Advanced Placement (AP) class in Virtual Academy give a grade bump? Also, will my child be able to take the AP exam if they took an AP class in Virtual Academy?
Yes, students in Virtual Academy who take an Advanced Placement course receive a grade increase as in our other comprehensive high schools. Students who take AP courses are encouraged to take the AP exam with the goal of obtaining a passing score and often resulting in college credit.
Students with or needing Special Education Services?
The appropriateness of PVUSD Virtual Academy for students with special needs would be discussed and determined through the IEP process to ensure the student receives the services necessary to meet his/her needs as outlined in the IEP.
Can a Student still participate in activities, sports and clubs of the student's home school?
YES!!
If we pick virtual academy for my kinder, do we still have to be up to date with vaccines? How recent does the physical have to be? Should it be from the last year? Current year? Last 12-months? Do kinders get assessed before starting school to know their level in knowing kinder things?
Yes, the State of California has mandated that immunizations must be up to date before students can begin school, even with virtual learning. All schools in CA, including charter schools and private schools require students to have immunizations. The exceptions are home schooled children who do not meet with others at all. Foster children, homeless children, and migrant children have 30 days from enrollment to obtain immunization records and districts are required to help get the records. Special education students are another exception and do not have to be up to date or have immunizations to access the special education curriculum in their IEPs. The state is trying to prevent future additional epidemics that could occur if children are not immunized against communicable diseases during the COVID pandemic. Please refer to the Guide to Immunization Requirements for School Entry:
The law allows for the health examination to be completed up to 18 months prior to entry into first grade or within 90 days thereafter.
All Virtual Academy students will take assessments according to their grade level to determine the proper placement in courses which will be outlined in their Personalized Learning Plan.
Can my student transfer out of Virtual Academy at any time?
Yes! Under SB/AB 130, if the parent/guardian requests a transfer, the transfer must be concluded within 5 instructional school days.
If a class at our high school is full, can we take the same class in the Virtual Academy?
No, only Virtual Academy students have access to the classes through the Virtual Academy.
Why is a Learning Coach required?
A Learning Coach is a parent/guardian, adult family member, tutor, etc. who supports and facilitates
a student's learning. Independent Study is similar to a Home School program and students must be
supported by a Learning Coach at home for accountability purposes to ensure the student is
completing the assigned weekly coursework.
A Learning Coach is a parent/guardian, adult family member, tutor, etc. who supports and facilitates
a student's learning. Independent Study is similar to a Home School program and students must be
supported by a Learning Coach at home for accountability purposes to ensure the student is
completing the assigned weekly coursework.
How is Attendance Taken?
Under CDE state law, attendance for Independent Study is measured based on work completion.
Students have one week to complete all assigned work in all courses. If a student misses 5 or more
assignments, interventions and supports will be applied.
What is Synchronous Instruction for Grades K-3?
Classroom-style instruction or designated small group or one-on-one instruction delivered in person, or in the form of internet or telephonic communications, and involving live two-way communication between the teacher(s) and student.
What is Live Interaction for Grades 4-8?
Interaction between the student and the school’s classified or certificated staff, and may include peers, provided for the purpose of maintaining school connectedness, including, but not limited to, wellness checks, progress monitoring, provision of services, and instruction. This interaction may take place in person, or in the form of internet or telephonic communication.
