How It Works (Middle School)
Work Completion Expectation
In middle school, student learning changes to a semester-based approach where students are required to earn a passing grade of 60 percent or above on their assignments and online lessons. Due dates are assigned to lessons by the assigned CAVA teacher for consistent, steady progress for academic success. Attending teacher-led, required, direct-instruction, online synchronous “Class Connect” sessions, along with completing coursework, will also ensure student success. Middle school teachers work closely with learning coaches and families to ensure students are progressing academically as expected.
Parent/Learning Coach
Middle school is a time when students become more independent, taking on more responsibility and ownership for their learning. A parent (or other responsible adult) serves as a "Learning Coach" to the child. Parent/Learning Coach involvement is critical for student success, as middle school students continue to build their organization and time-management skills. Teachers set the pace of instruction, but the Learning Coach helps the student stay on track.
Parent/Learning Coach involvement may vary per child and grade level. The initial four–eight weeks can be intensive as families settle in to a routine. Students in grades 6–8 build self-advocacy skills and work more directly with teachers, but parent/Learning Coach involvement is essential for at least 20 hours a week, and roughly 50–60 percent of this time is spent online, with the remainder of time spent on reading and writing essays.
Working with Your Teacher
While online lessons can usually be completed at any time of day, students are required to attend live Class Connect sessions with their teacher(s) based on the student’s individual needs. During Class Connect sessions, students will receive direct instruction from teachers and have opportunities to interact with classmates. In addition to regular, synchronous classroom instruction, teachers offer support or small group sessions to assist in student learning. Parents/Learning Coaches are encouraged to contact their child’s homeroom teacher any time they have questions or concerns.
Attendance
Attendance is logged Monday through Friday, which is captured as students enter the Online Middle School and attend the required live instructional sessions; however, academic progress can be achieved during the weekends as well. Middle school students are expected to spend approximately four–seven hours on schoolwork per school day.
Email is the primary form of communication between the school and families. Learning Coaches and students are required to check and respond to emails on a daily basis.
