Some frequently asked questions.....
Curriculum
What curriculum is used in the Centerville Virtual Learning Academy?
Centerville Virtual Learning Academy is proud to announce its new partnership with Edmentum™ Instructional Services, a state-approved, leading provider of online and blended learning solutions. Through this partnership, Centerville Virtual Learning Academy will join a nationwide movement to improve academic success and student outcomes by incorporating virtual learning into our curriculum.
Our new virtual program partnership with Edmentum's Instructional Services will also include the following features:
- Virtual courses will utilize Edmentum's award-winning curriculum, which meets both Common Core and state standards and is designed to fully engage and challenge students through rigorous content delivered by interactive, media-rich instruction.
- Highly qualified, certified virtual teachers will instruct, remediate, motivate, and proactively communicate with students.
- Qualified student Success Coaches and FEV Tutors will provide on-demand tutoring and engagement to ensure students’ questions are addressed in a timely manner, while Edmentum's Success Coaches will provide an additional layer of support for students who are enrolled in virtual courses full-time.
As we implement this new program, we encourage you to be an active part of your children’s learning. Thank you for joining us in our endeavor to provide engaging, relevant instruction to your student. It is our mission to not only help your student graduate but also prepare him or her for a successful future.
What subjects will my student study?
Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, Science, Art, Health/Physical Education are the core courses. See the Iowacourse catalog for more information.
Does the Centerville Virtual Learning Academy provide textbooks and other needed materials?
All learning 'textbooks' are provided through the district provided Edmentum Courseware virtually and physically. The district will also provide a device (Chromebook) to each student enrolled in the program. Other school supplies and the internet is the family's responsibility. Please let us know if you have connectivity/Internet issues and need assistance. See the school supplies portion of the website for more information.
Can my child work at his or her own pace?
Our program is self-paced and flexible within the parameters specified by state law. For all students, there is a combination of self-paced work and scheduled lessons and activities.
How much time do students spend on the computer?
Elementary students will spend portions of each day on the computer but non-computer activities are built into most lessons. At the secondary level, students will spend nearly their entire school day online.
How much time each day should my student spend working on lessons?
Students are expected to spend a rough equivalent of the length of a school day towards their education. How this fits into each family's schedule is flexible except for scheduled meetings. The amount of time each student needs to stay on track in courses will vary by student.
Do you provide instruction for exceptional students?
Yes. We will work with you to provide IEP, 504, EL, and TAG services, as appropriate, for your student. Contact Mekca Wallace-Spurgin, the Director of Virtual Learning, at mekca.wallacespurgin@centervillek12.org for more information.
How do students interact socially?
Enrollment
Who is eligible to attend Centerville Virtual Learning Academy?
Any student in grades K-12 who resident in Centerville Community School District. If a student is entering school for the first time as a kindergarten student, the deadline to enroll is September 15.
How many of my children can I enroll in the Centerville Virtual Learning Academy?
Because the Centerville Virtual Learning Academy serves students in grades K-12, many parents find it easy to enroll multiple children in the program.
What does it cost to attend the Centerville Virtual Academy?
Since the Centerville Virtual Learning Program is a public school, there is no tuition. All learning 'textbooks' are provided through the district-provided Edgenuity Courseware virtually and physically. The academy provides the curriculum and certified teachers. Families will need to provide normal consumable school supplies (such as paper, pencils, scissors, markers, etc). See the school supplies portion of the website for more information.The academy provides the curriculum and certified teachers. The district will also provide a device (Chromebook) to each student enrolled in the program. Please let us know if you have connectivity/Internet issues and need assistance. The academy provides the curriculum and certified teachers.
Test and Assesments
What are the requirements for State Testing?
Requirements for State Testing
All students will be required to take all mandatory testing. Students must comply with all CCSD Student Testing guidelines listed in the code of conduct.
Students are Required to Participate in the Following Assessments
- Edgenuity Courseware Assessments
- Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISAP) (3rd - 11th grades)
- English Language Proficiency Assessment 21 (ELPA 21) (English Language Learners)
- FAST Universal Screening Assessments (K - 8th Grades)
- FAST Progress Monitoring (K - 8, as needed)
- Dynamic Learner Maps (DLM) (Special Education Alternative Assessment)
Who is allowed to proctor the exams?
Proctoring of Assessments
Some testing may only be available in the Virtual Learning Academy school building with the student’s Virtual: Learning Coordinator It is the family’s responsibility to ensure that students are transported to and from the testing site according to the testing schedule.
What is FASTbridge Screening Assessments?
FASTbridge Screening Assessments
Students in grades Kindergarten through 8th grade are required to take screening assessments in both reading and mathematics. This will require a scheduled time in a socially distanced face-to-face environment OR a scheduled virtual time to take the assessment with the Centerville Virtual Learning Coordinator and an At-Home Proctor depending on the grade level of the student and family preferences.
- Grades K and 1
- All testing needs to be administered 1 on 1 by the Centerville Virtual Learning Coordinator.
- There will be both face-to-face and virtual time slots families can sign up for communication by the Virtual Learning Coordinator
- If proctored via Zoom an At-Home Proctor will help the student access the Zoom link and oversee the testing with the teacher from home.
- This proctor will need to follow the proctor procedures at the time of testing and should be the At-Home Learning Coach for students in grades 2 to 5.
- If proctored via Zoom an At-Home Proctor will help the student access the Zoom link and oversee the testing with the teacher from home.
- There will be both face-to-face and virtual time slots families can sign up for communication by the Virtual Learning Coordinator
- All testing needs to be administered 1 on 1 by the Centerville Virtual Learning Coordinator.
- Grades 2 to 8
- Some testing may need to be administered 1 on 1 by the Centerville Virtual Learning Coordinator. Your coordinator will communicate if your student is required to test students in this way.
- There will be both face-to-face and virtual time slots families can sign up for communication by the Virtual Learning Coordinator
- If proctored virtually, an At-Home Proctor will help the student access the Zoom link and oversee the testing with the teacher from home.
- This proctor will need to follow the proctor procedures at the time of testing and should be the At-Home Learning Coach for students in grades 2 to 5.
- If proctored virtually, an At-Home Proctor will help the student access the Zoom link and oversee the testing with the teacher from home.
- There will be both face-to-face and virtual time slots families can sign up for communication by the Virtual Learning Coordinator
- Some testing will be administered in groups by the Centerville Virtual Learning Coordinator either face-to-face in a socially distanced environment or virtually at a scheduled time.
- Time slots for both face-to-face and virtual testing times will be communicated to families for sign-up prior to the testing date.
- If proctored virtually, an At-Home Proctor will help the student access the Zoom link and oversee the testing with the teacher from home.
- This proctor will need to follow the proctor procedures at the time of testing and should be the At-Home Learning Coach for students in grades 2 to 5.
- If proctored virtually, an At-Home Proctor will help the student access the Zoom link and oversee the testing with the teacher from home.
- Time slots for both face-to-face and virtual testing times will be communicated to families for sign-up prior to the testing date.
- Some testing may need to be administered 1 on 1 by the Centerville Virtual Learning Coordinator. Your coordinator will communicate if your student is required to test students in this way.
The Virtual Learning Coordinator will share proctoring information with families prior to the testing window each semester.
What are the state requirements?
State Required Intervention and Progress Monitoring
Students in grades K to 8 that are identified for intervention and progress monitoring through the Fast screening process are required by the state to participate in interventions and progress monitoring. These required times will be scheduled by the virtual learning coordinator.
What about ISASP Testing?
ISASP Testing
ISASP testing is the federal accountability test under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and must be completed by all students in grades 3 to 11 in a face-to-face environment proctored by an Iowa licensed teacher. Virtual Learning Coordinators will provide information about testing prior to the testing window in April.
Other Testing
All other mandated testing is required on an individual basis. If your student is required to participate, information will be provided from the virtual learning coordinator.
Activities/Athletics
What if my student wants to particpate in extracurricular activities?
Students enrolled in the Centerville Virtual Learning Academy may participate in extracurricular activities that occur outside of the school day. The rules for participation are the same as those of the Centerville Community School District and include being a full-time student and following all eligibility requirements and codes set by the state and district. Contact the district’s Athletics/Activities Director, 641-856-0813, ext. 1105 or email: rich.parker@centervillek12.org to set up participation in activities.
What about co-curricular activities?
Co-curricular Activities
Students enrolled in the Centerville Virtual Learning Academy may take the following courses during the school day that are considered co-curricular.
- Band: grades 5 through 12
- Choir: grades 7 to 12
- High School: Indian Hills Community College Courses
Transportation
Transportation will not be provided outside of the normal bus routes. Compliance with all health and safety protocols is expected when participating in face-to-face co-curricular courses.