Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) is expanding the Virtual Academy program next school year for high school students. The program is virtual and managed by staff at the Robert D. Stethem Educational Center. Students must apply and meet minimum criteria to be accepted. Enrollment is not guaranteed.
A video with details about the Virtual Academy program is posted on the school system website here.
Application information
The application form is linked here. Students currently in Grades 8-11 can apply. Interested students must complete the application by Friday, May 28, to be considered for next school year. Late applications will not be accepted.
Students enrolled in Virtual Academy must participate in the program for the entire school year. Additionally, Virtual Academy students are not eligible to participate in extracurricular activities or sports at their home schools.
The following is the minimum criteria. Data provided on the application form is from the 2020-21 school year.
Virtual Academy is optional for students who are self-motivated and independent learners. Students interested in this program may include but are not limited to juniors who wish to graduate early, seniors needing four or fewer credits, students with school anxiety, students who require a flexible schedule to meet individual needs or any student who prefers a nontraditional school setting.
Virtual Academy program format
Virtual Academy students complete assigned work through the digital platform APEX Learning. Students are expected to work a total of five hours daily, four days a week, with 90 minutes per day of live instruction through Zoom in Synergy.
Students in the Virtual Academy will be enrolled in two courses per quarter which will allow the student to earn a total of eight credits per school year. Students will need to provide transportation to their home school for all scheduled state assessments.
Students with an Individualized Educational Program (IEP), 504 plan, or English Learners (ELs) plan may be required to attend in-person learning at the Virtual Academy. All other students will work from a remote location.
The Virtual Academy will offer students a limited menu of classes that will provide one path to graduation (World Language completer). Students will receive their report cards and diplomas through their home schools. Virtual Academy students cannot participate in sports or extracurricular activities (i.e., clubs, marching band, drama, etc.). However, students may attend homecoming dances and prom, and extracurricular activities as a spectator.
Students enrolled in the Virtual Academy must agree to remain for the completion of the school year. Students may transfer to their home school the following school year.
Parents and students with questions about the Virtual Academy should contact Tiffany VanDyke or Brooke Kohlhorst at 301-932-6655 for more information.
About CCPS
Charles County Public Schools provides 27,000 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 37 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.
The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Kathy Kiessling, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event. CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).
A video with details about the Virtual Academy program is posted on the school system website here.
Application information
The application form is linked here. Students currently in Grades 8-11 can apply. Interested students must complete the application by Friday, May 28, to be considered for next school year. Late applications will not be accepted.
Students enrolled in Virtual Academy must participate in the program for the entire school year. Additionally, Virtual Academy students are not eligible to participate in extracurricular activities or sports at their home schools.
The following is the minimum criteria. Data provided on the application form is from the 2020-21 school year.
- Fifteen or fewer unexcused absences.
- At least a 2.0 GPA.
Virtual Academy is optional for students who are self-motivated and independent learners. Students interested in this program may include but are not limited to juniors who wish to graduate early, seniors needing four or fewer credits, students with school anxiety, students who require a flexible schedule to meet individual needs or any student who prefers a nontraditional school setting.
Virtual Academy program format
Virtual Academy students complete assigned work through the digital platform APEX Learning. Students are expected to work a total of five hours daily, four days a week, with 90 minutes per day of live instruction through Zoom in Synergy.
Students in the Virtual Academy will be enrolled in two courses per quarter which will allow the student to earn a total of eight credits per school year. Students will need to provide transportation to their home school for all scheduled state assessments.
Students with an Individualized Educational Program (IEP), 504 plan, or English Learners (ELs) plan may be required to attend in-person learning at the Virtual Academy. All other students will work from a remote location.
The Virtual Academy will offer students a limited menu of classes that will provide one path to graduation (World Language completer). Students will receive their report cards and diplomas through their home schools. Virtual Academy students cannot participate in sports or extracurricular activities (i.e., clubs, marching band, drama, etc.). However, students may attend homecoming dances and prom, and extracurricular activities as a spectator.
Students enrolled in the Virtual Academy must agree to remain for the completion of the school year. Students may transfer to their home school the following school year.
Parents and students with questions about the Virtual Academy should contact Tiffany VanDyke or Brooke Kohlhorst at 301-932-6655 for more information.
About CCPS
Charles County Public Schools provides 27,000 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 37 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.
The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Kathy Kiessling, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event. CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).