Idaho Virtual Academy Virtual High School
Information and Frequently Asked Questions
The Idaho Virtual Academy’s high school program provides an accredited, rigorous college-prep
curriculum for students who are ready to take their education to the next level. The high school
courses meet or exceed district and state standards and prepare students to be successful in postsecondary education and beyond.
Program Basics
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The Learning Management System (LMS) is the platform where the high school courses are located and
where parents and students can also locate due dates, read class announcements, find Class Connect
(elluminate) links, and check grades.
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K12 is the primary curriculum provider, but there are some courses which were built by other companies
(Powerglide, Apex, etc.)
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IDVA is accredited through the Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC) and credits will transfer
easily to other public schools. IDVA graduates receive a diploma and can participate in graduation
ceremonies.
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Our program offers a full range of courses and electives, including Advanced Placement (AP) classes
and concurrent credit courses that students can take to earn both high school and college credit.
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Full-time students have six classes each semester.
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Students should work at least one hour, per day, per course (five days a week). Many successful
students work 8+ hours each day on their school work.
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Most of the time spent in high school is online, so students need to be able to work at the computer for
long, uninterrupted periods of time each day. Constant, reliable internet access is a requirement.
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Not every subject has a textbook. High school students do not receive as many materials as they are
used to in the IDVA k-8 model.
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Highly qualified subject-specific teachers lead each class. IDVA high school teachers have
approximately 300 students each semester. Students will have four to six different teachers each
semester, depending on their class choices.
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Students must follow deadlines established by their teachers in each course. Students have daily
assignments in each class that are either computer scored or teacher scored. If a student misses a
deadline, late penalties are imposed.
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Students can only complete work and assessments one time. (There are not retakes available on tests or
quizzes.)
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Each teacher follows IDVA HS policies, but also develops his/her own rules and guidelines.
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Teachers are available for student questions and assistance during regular school hours. Teachers
respond to student questions within 24 hours (school days only) and return graded work within three
school days. Large projects and research papers will be returned as quickly as possible.
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Each class has a live ClassConnect session via Elluminate on a set day and time each week. This means
that students have six-ten hours of direct instruction in addition to their online course work. Live
sessions are taped and if a student cannot attend live, they need to watch the recording within 24 hours
of the session.
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High school classes are time-bound by semester. First semester courses are only available first
semester; second semester courses are only available second semester. When the semester ends,
students cannot go back to previous curriculum.
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It is possible to graduate early if a student summer school. (Please note: students cannot accelerate
through, say, two years of math in one school year like they can in the k-8 program.) New students can
only take six classes their first semester. If, after the first semester, they have proven that they can be
successful with six courses, their counselor will work with them to create an accelerated graduation
plan.
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IDVA does offer credit recovery and credit mastery options for students. These will be offered on an as
needed basis. You can talk with your counselor about one or both of these for your student.
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Vacations: We highly discourage families to take vacations during the school year when students will
miss school. Families are encouraged to consult the school calendar and travel during scheduled breaks.
If a student falls behind, it is very difficult to catch up!
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If a middle school student has exhausted the k12 curriculum in core areas (math, English, science,
history), he/she may begin taking high school classes while still in middle school with
counselor/principal permission. These students can only begin high school courses at the beginning of
the school year and MUST take part in all high school orientation sessions.
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All full-time high school students receive a computer, and a printer/scanner/fax. Some families qualify
for an internet subsidy based on their income. Families must fill out an internet reimbursement form
each semester to receive the monetary compensation. This form will be in the high school newsletter
and on kmail. Parents are required to watch for that kmail and fill out the survey on time if you qualify
for the subsidy.
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IDVA full-time high school students each receive their own computer (2 HS Students = 2 computers). If
a student declines the k12 computer, he/she will need to make sure that his/her personal computer is
equipped with the correct hardware and software to run all k12 applications. We always recommend
that a student accepts the k12 computer, even if it will only be used as a backup.
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It is possible to dual enroll with IDVA and your local public school. Dual enrollment is limited and is
available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Students will take three classes at IDVA to be dual enrolled,
and three courses at their local school. Paperwork is required and the local school must agree to IDVA’s
dual enrollment terms. Students who are dual enrolled do not qualify for a k12 computer or internet
subsidy.
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It is possible for IDVA students to play sports at most local schools in the State of Idaho. IDVA can
provide attendance verification and grade checks as needed. Some districts do require charter school
students to pay to play certain sports. Please inquire at your local school district to see what their sports
policy is for charter school students.
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IDVA does not offer a driver’s education program. We can provide a DMV attendance verification
form for you to take with you when you register for driver’s ed at your local district or through a private
driving program in your community. (Please note: IDVA students are not eligible to take the Online
Driver’s Ed class through IDLA, but you may be able to sign up for it through your local district.)
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New high school students have the opportunity to be paired with a peer mentor. These Student
Ambassadors are upperclassmen that have been successful at IDVA. They are excellent students that
reach out to new students, providing guidance, tips, and examples of how to succeed in an online school
environment. This peer relationship is important – new students benefit from the wisdom of older
students’ experiences.
Attendance and Accountability
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Students must attend face-to-face finals at the end of each semester. These pencil-and paper
comprehensive exams are held on two specific days (in December and May) at multiple testing locations
across the state.
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Students receive progress reports in half way through each semester and report cards at the end of each
semester. Students and parents can also always check their current grades online any hour of any day.
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Sophomores must show proficiency on the 10th grade spring ISAT to meet the state’s graduation
requirement. If students are not able to pass this test, remediation classes are available.
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Juniors must take the SAT, Compass or Accuplacer college entrance exams in order to graduate from
any Idaho High School.
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Each year in January, IDVA High School Students participate in J-Term. This is a special month long
term where students can earn an extra credit either by completing a project or by completing a credit
recovery course. Participation in J-Term is mandatory.
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Students must maintain sufficient progress-- this is a combination of attendance and turning in
assignments/assessments.
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Attendance is entered by the Learning Coach every day via the OLS Mentor Account. Missing
attendance will result in notification from the homeroom teacher and could lead to truancy.
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IDVA will track student time spent online. Attendance discrepancies (between what is logged by the
parent on the OLS and what is timed by the LMS system) are addressed and have resulted in truancy.
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High school students are required to have 990-instructional hours during the 180-day school year. This
means approximately 6.5 hours per school day as a minimum.
High School Placement and Grading
Student status (freshman, sophomore, etc.) is based on the number of credits earned from accredited schools and
NOT AAG, age, or the number of years spent in high school already. Therefore, it is possible for a student to
be a freshman for two years in a row, or change classifications from a freshman to a sophomore in January at
the end of first semester. Transfer credits will only be accepted from accredited schools.
Freshman
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
Grading Scale:
0-10 credits earned
11-21 credits earned
22-33 credits earned
34 credits +
90-100% = A
80-89% = B
70-79% = C
60-69% = D
Below 60% = F
Graduation Requirements
Students earn one semester credit for each class that they pass (60% and above) each semester. As part of
Idaho’s new statewide high school graduation requirements, credit requirements increase in the areas of math
and science for the Class of 2013 and beyond. Students in the graduating Class of 2013+ must also complete a
senior project and take the ACT or SAT exam as a junior.
Language Arts and Speech
Math
Science
US History
Government
Economics
Health
Humanities
Senior Project
College Entrance Exam
Subtotal ~ core
Elective Credits
Total
IDVA Students
9 credits
6 credits (Algebra 1 and higher)
6 credits
2 credits
2 credits
1 credit
1 credit
2 credits
Required
Required
29
17 credits
46 credits
*Please note: These are the minimum requirements for students to graduate from IDVA. Students planning to go on to college or
post-secondary training will need increased credits in the areas of science and math. Specific majors and out-of-state schools may
require additional coursework as well. Consult the specific college course catalog or your school counselor for additional
information.
**Students must also pass the 10th grade ISAT exit exam (or follow the board-approved alternate route) in order to graduate.
The Role of the High School Learning Coach
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Enter attendance (every day)
Monitor student progress in LMS daily
Ensure constant student connectivity to internet
Ensures that student has all materials for success (ie: lab materials)
Help establish work and learning environment (routine, classroom set-up, etc.) for student
Communicate often with administration and teachers
Check e-mail and kmail every day for updates
Read the weekly high school newsletter (sent via kmail every Friday)
Make sure student attends state testing and final exams
Monitor internet and email use for appropriateness
Successful High School Student Characteristics
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Manage time independently
Learn independently and visually
Follow through on assignments
Ask for help quickly and articulately
Attend live elluminate sessions each week, or watch the recordings in a timely manner
Read and follow a syllabus and schedule time accordingly
Stay focused on school work
Work with an involved learning coach
Check announcements and email daily