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Gulf Shores Virtual Academy Grades 6-8 

Purpose

Gulf Shores Virtual Academy is designed to provide motivated, independent learners an opportunity to earn their Alabama High School Diploma through a flexible, personalized learning experience.  

Benefits

Virtual education offers students and parents numerous benefits in terms of time, flexibility, and program customization. Along with these advantages, students and parents also assume increased responsibility in time management, organization, self-direction, and self-regulation.

●      Instruction from Alabama-certified teachers
●      Accredited diploma upon satisfying all requirements for graduation
●      Flexible and personalized learning experiences
●      Individualized academic and career preparation plan
●      Self-pacing and opportunity for acceleration
●      Flexibility with daily schedule 
●      Opportunity to blend virtual learning with face-to-face core and elective courses and tuition free dual enrollment classes 
●      Opportunity to take classes for advancement during the summer
●      Opportunity to participate in sports, clubs, field trips, assemblies, and pep rallies
●      Access to support services provided by school nurses, counselors, and the school lunch program

Curriculum

  • Grades 6: Florida Virtual in Canvas + Gulf Shores City Schools’ Teachers 
  • Grade 7: Florida Virtual in Canvas + ACCESS for Math and ELA
  • Grades 8 : ACCESS + Dual Enrollment (USA, UA, AU, and Coastal)

The Gulf Shores Virtual Academy uses ACCESS Virtual Learning, a program administered by the Alabama State Department of Education.  ACCESS includes standard courses, electives, and Advanced Placement classes. All course curricula are aligned to Alabama Courses of Study and taught by instructors certified by the Alabama State Department of Education. The ACCESS courses have been approved by the NCAA. Gulf Shores Virtual Academy also offers locally developed online core and elective courses. Click Her​e​ ​for middle school ​online​ course offerings.

In addition to online courses and dual enrollment classes, eligible students can take up to two face-to-face classes at Gulf Shores Middle School (grades 6-8). The face-to-face courses are offered in the areas of math, science, English, social studies, music/band, art, athletics, driver’s education, and career and technical education. Click ​Here​ for a list of middle school ​face-to-face​ courses. 

All students will take a minimum of 6 full courses/credits per year. At least 4 of the 6 courses will be in the core areas of math, science, history, and English.

Academic Integrity

Students are required to sign a commitment form attesting to academic integrity regarding each of the following statements. 

●      All individual assignments and tests must be completed by the student.
●      Any collaboration on individual assignments must be pre-approved by the teacher.
●      Plagiarism will not be allowed in any form including copying or using the ideas or words of others and presenting them as one’s own.
●      Students will not allow others to copy their work.
●      Students will take all tests under the supervision of an approved proctor in person. 
●      Content from the Internet will not be misused or misrepresented.

Teachers utilize a variety of technologies to check student work for authenticity.  If it is determined that a student has not adhered to the academic integrity commitment, the student will be subject to a failing grade, removal from the course, and any other consequences determined by ACCESS Distance Learning administrative staff, the distance learning teacher, Gulf Shores Virtual Academy, and Gulf Shores City Schools.  Click ​Here​ for the Academic Integrity form.

Academic Support and Additional Attendance Requirements

Students who fall behind comparable course progress or who do not maintain at least a 75% overall average in each course will be required to participate in face-to-face and/or video conferencing for Academic Support. Students participating in Academic Support will be required to meet with staff at Gulf Shores Virtual Academy to complete an Academic Support Plan. The plan will designate a specific number of days (2-5) per week and hours (3-7) per day that the student is required to report to Gulf Shores Virtual Academy for support and to complete online coursework. On school days that the student is not required to report in person to Gulf Shores Virtual Academy, the student will be expected to log in to his/her courses to complete assignments at home, and online attendance will be taken. Once a student has maintained comparable course progression as well as a 75 or higher in each of the core classes and elective classes for two consecutive weeks, the student will no longer be required to participate in Academic Support.

Accommodations

Students with an Individualized Education Plan, 504 Plan, or English Language Learner Plan will receive approved accommodations. 

Athletics and Clubs

Eligible secondary students may participate in athletics and clubs.
Per the AHSAA, athletes must take the face-to-face athletic course associated with their sport if such a course is offered

Attendance and Student Accountability

Students are expected to adhere to the pacing guides that will be provided once accepted. All work that is assigned for the week must be completed by the end of the week.
Students are expected to maintain at least a “75” average in each class.
Students who fall behind in their coursework or their grades will be assigned additional required videoconferencing sessions and/or face-to-face sessions. Attendance will be taken.

At-Risk Students

Students will be required to participate in videoconferencing sessions to ensure that they receive the extra support they might need. Attendance at videoconferencing sessions will be taken.

Extra-Curricular Activities

Students enrolled in Gulf Shores Virtual Academy are eligible to apply for participation in school-sponsored extracurricular activities.

●      Athletics 
●      Band
●      Chorus
●      Clubs
●      Field Trips
●      Assemblies
●      Pep Rallies 

Expectations for Attendance, Course Progression, and Minimum Grades

Gulf Shores Virtual Academy students are expected to progress through their courses at a rate that is ​at a minimum​ comparable to similar face-to-face courses offered at Gulf Shores City Schools. Students are permitted to work ahead in their courses. In addition to adequate course progression, students are also expected to maintain at least a 75% average in each course and elective classes. Course progression and academic achievement will be monitored frequently. 

All students are encouraged to report to Gulf Shores Virtual Academy when they would like assistance with courses, technology, and college and career planning.

Fees

  • Registration fees are not required for the Virtual Academy.
  • Non-Resident Applicants will be charge a $100.00 non-refundable application fee.  If you are mailing your application, please include a check or money order made payable to "Gulf Shores City Schools" or pay online at https://gulfshorescityal.csiepay.com/Views/Payment/Pay.aspx.  If you are hand delivering your application, you may pay by check or money order in the Central Office.
  • Parents can purchase t-shirts and yearbooks through the traditional school.

Grades and Credits

Course grades and credits (including weights) will be assigned in accordance with the policies of ACCESS and the Gulf Shores City Board of Education.

Location and Hours

Gulf Shores Virtual Academy is located at The Cultural Arts Center on County Rd. 6.
9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Lunch Program

Lunches will be available for students to pick up daily Monday through Friday. Click HERE if you plan on participating in the virtual academy lunch program. You will need to complete the Free/Reduced Meals Application or purchase your lunch at the school. Students will be able to pick up lunches from the back door of the cafeteria at the high school at 10:00 each school day.

Proctored Tests

State mandated annual standardized tests such as ACAP and ACT will be taken at the middle school campus. The virtual academy lead teachers will work with the students to make sure they know when and where to test.

Students are required to take all unit tests and term examinations at Gulf Shores Virtual Academy in the physical presence of Gulf Shores Virtual Academy staff. Typically, students report to campus two days per week to take proctored tests.

Gulf Shores Virtual Academy students are required to take all state-mandated assessments per the Gulf Shores City Schools’ State Assessment Schedule at the designated school site. 

Technology

Gulf Shores City Schools provides students in Grades 6-8 with iPads to use for their courses while enrolled in Gulf Shores Virtual Academy. Students are responsible for their own internet.

Transportation

Regular transportation to Gulf Shores Virtual Academy for required testing, meetings, academic support, and activities is provided by parents/guardians.

Tutoring 

Free tutoring is available at the virtual academy location. Students are encouraged to schedule an appointment with their virtual academy lead teacher as needed.

Virtual Academy Students Who Want to Transition to Traditional School After School Starts

Students accepted into the virtual academy are committing to a full year of virtual education. Parents will sign a document that they understand the commitment they are making.