Victory Online School Parent/Student Handbook

Victory Online School Parent/Student Handbook

2 Welcome to Victory Online School Victory Online School (VOS) is a ministry of Victory Christian School and Victory Christian Center of Tulsa, Oklahoma. With administrative offices located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Victory Online School is a virtual school offering a variety of courses for grades 3 through 12 using the Internet. Victory Online School uses on-line academic, Bible programs provided through Alpha Omega Publications. Victory Online School is a division within Victory Christian School. Therefore, the credits, courses, and subjects taken by students are recognized by the same accrediting organizations that have accredited Victory Christian School -- the International Christian Accrediting Association (ICAA), The Oklahoma State Department of Education and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. Teachers assigned to Victory Online School hold certification by the Oklahoma State Department of Education. Thus, students enrolled in Victory Online School have a high level of expertise available to them that may not be available in other non-traditional school settings. How Victory Online Works The students will complete their daily work using a computer. They will work through assignments in an orderly manner with the Victory Online School curricula. This curriculum is presented by Alpha Omega Publishing which provides a variety of core academic subjects as well as Bible and other electives as chosen by the students. The computer program offers the students instant-grading and, therefore, instant feedback as to academic progress. The program also reinforces the lesson by reviewing with the student those questions he or she may have answered incorrectly. This type of reinforcement allows the students some immediate feedback, which studies have shown to increase learning. The students home page contains a calendar for tracking daily assignment due dates. This feature allows parents and students to self-monitor in keeping on task for completion of assignments in a timely manner. Students will use the Internet to complete daily assignments, quizzes, tests, and any projects or essays required by the course. The Victory Online program allows the student to work from home. With the advances in technology available, you may access the educational materials with Internet from the comfort of your home. The only requirements are a computer, some basic computer skills, and Internet access. If you do not have a computer at home, you may also access the materials through use of public library computers. Note: Victory Online School courseware only operates on computers using English language versions of Microsoft Windows. There is a translation feature that can be accessed by the student for the program. To successfully complete the course work the student needs the following items: 1) basic computer skills; 2) a set of headphones; 3) some time set aside each day to commit to the learning process (a minimum of 4 hours per day is recommended); 4) a notebook and a pen or pencil to take notes or work problems; and 5) a desire to learn. As you work through the lessons, you need to make sure that you read the material presented in the lesson. The material is presented in different formats to include auditory instruction, visual instruction through

demonstrations and explanations, and reading the material. For each course there are generally three to four quizzes and a final test for each unit. The units basically cover a chapter of a traditional textbook. The tests at the end of the units assess what you have learned as you progressed through the unit. The quizzes help to prepare you for the final unit test by evaluating smaller portions of learning from the lessons. Students may communicate with a teacher in several different ways. The student can click on the help tab found at the top of each question. There is also a messaging system available similar to email embedded in the program. Students may also speak with the teacher by telephone at a prearranged time, or the student can use standard email for assistance. If students prefer to speak directly with a teacher, there is a free software program available on the Internet that allows a student to contact a teacher directly computer to computer using a webcam and microphone. The program is called Skype and can be downloaded to the student s computer directly from the Internet. This is one option that would allow a student to speak with a teacher live via the Internet. As with any type of program, parents are encouraged to monitor the student in his or her use. The student can use a camera and microphone to speak to the teacher to receive the assistance required. The link to Skype is http://www.skype.com/intl/en/download/skype/windows/. Please read all information about the program before downloading. This is offered only as an alternative and is not required for the student to use. In the best interest of the student and to enhance student success, there are several ways to meet student needs. We have academic advisors for course counseling who will use current student records, placement test information, and parental input to place the student at the optimum place for his or her success. Successful completion of schoolwork requires that students complete all assigned material in core curricular areas and progress through the determined grade level of instructional material. The core subject areas (math, science, English, social science) contain approximately 10 units of learning (each unit is similar to a chapter in a textbook). These units are further divided into sections called lessons. A lesson generally consists of two to three lessons, a quiz, tests, and depending upon the subject area there may be projects, essays, or experiments to be completed to reinforce the lesson. Students are allowed to work at their own rate (some may work faster, some work slower) with the ultimate goal of meeting requirements for subject competency. Computer Requirements These are recommendations for the optimal performance of the program. High Speed Internet (Dial-up may take too long to load some parts of the program) PC or Mac Mozilla Firefox (recommended browser for PC to limit potential conflicts) 800 x 600 or higher resolution monitor, 16-bit color Access to a printer is recommended Other Options If you would choose to use Skype you would need: 3

A webcam for Internet use A headset with microphone and ear phones or A microphone and computer speakers Admission Students desiring to enroll in Victory Online School must complete an enrollment form and submit the form either by regular mail or email to Victory Online School. Enrollment is considered complete when you have received a confirmation receipt of your enrollment information and the appropriate fees have been paid. Tuition and Fees Registration Fee (includes placement testing if required) For one to four coures Individual Courses (1 Credit or 1 year) Individual Courses (1/2 Credit or ½ year) Waived for Current Victory Students $75 for Non Victory Students $500 per course $250 per course Please Note: 1. Registration fee is per student and nonrefundable. 2. Tuition refund is 50% of total up to 30 days from student start date. No refunds after 30 days. 3. Families who enroll more than one full-time student (taking 5 or more courses per student of the same immediate family) receive a multiple child discount as reflected in the Tuition and fee schedule 4. A standard course load for grades 3-8 is five subjects. Additional Fees: Extension fee (after 10 months and up to 12 months*) Customized Courses** $50 per credit/course per month $50 per unit *Enrollment fee may be required and tuition fees must be paid again to continue working longer than 12 months **Customized courses are considered those types of courses that may require more than the standard 10 units. These extension fees are intended to motivate students to finish courses in a typical school year. Tuition 4

Tuition is required to be paid in full before courses are assigned. Payment may be submitted by credit card or bank debit card. Any personal information is destroyed after payment processing. Note: Full-time students may split the tuition between two payments. Withdrawal, Cancellation, and Refunds Any request for withdrawal must be made in writing. The registration fee is nonrefundable. Tuition refunds are allowed for up to 30 days after activation of the course work as follows: 0 30 days: 50% refund No refunds after 30 days Victory Online School reserves the right to cancel a student s enrollment for unsatisfactory progress, failure to submit work on a regular basis, or student cheating. No refunds are awarded after the 30 day grace period if courses are canceled. If a student should transfer to another school, please submit an official letter of withdrawal and transcript request 10 business days in advance. Record requests will be processed in the order received. Parent/Guardian s Role and Responsibilities Those students enrolled in Victory Online School are supported by a multi-level system including certified teachers and certified administrators. The parent, according to the Word of God, holds the primary responsibility for ensuring the student is prepared to learn. Once a student is enrolled, parents have agreed to partner with Victory Online School to accomplish the process of education for the student. Parental involvement on a daily basis is necessary for student success. Parents or guardians are expected to provide the required materials for the student s successful completion of the material. Parents or guardians should monitor all student progress and stay informed of this progress by contact with Victory Online School teachers and administration. As the parent or guardian it is expected for you to take the following roles. Coordinator: Parents need to take the responsibility to ensure the student logs on to the Victory Online School classroom routinely. Communicator: Parents need to establish an open line of communication with Victory Online School. This line of communication should also extend between the parent and student. Academic Support: The parents will need to assist the student in staying on task, studying, reviewing for quizzes and tests. Use the feedback from the graded assignments 5

to review what information or skills the student has mastered and what needs to be mastered. Teacher s Role Victory Online School is a learning community operating under the guidance of Victory Christian School. The Victory Online School faculty consists of state certified Christian teachers who are dedicated to providing a biblically based education experience for the student. This unique blend of a biblical worldview and excellence in academics creates an environment for the student to develop a love of learning. All teachers are credentialed in the State of Oklahoma for either subject area or grade level. The faculty meets the requirements of highly qualified teachers as set out in the No Child Left Behind Act of 2002. This means the faculty members are degreed, certified, content specialists with experience in their area, and equipped with the knowledge required for student s success in the virtual classroom. Victory Online School s Commitment to You Victory Online School s ministry was developed for the support of students, parents or guardians by: 1. Providing a place for parents to fulfill the God-given mandate of educating their child. 2. Providing academic guidance to place students at their current mastery level. 3. Providing a course of study appropriate for the student. 4. Providing VOS curricula for the courses. 5. Providing support for learning by experienced faculty and administration. 6. Providing feedback in regard to student learning with timely feedback. 7. Providing a permanent transcript for elementary, middle school, and high school students. Academic Schedule Victory Online School courses are designed to be complete in either 5 months (1/2 credit or course) or 10 months (1 credit or full course). Students are provided with a calendar on their classroom homepage that shows what assignments are due on a specific day of the week. As students are working at their own rate, they may work ahead and complete work earlier. If a student chooses to work at a faster rate, he or she is cautioned not to sacrifice learning for speed. It should take the student approximately 3 to 4 weeks to complete each unit. This estimate will vary based on the difficulty of the work, length of the unit, and diligence of the student. Student/Teacher Interactions 1. Students should not give any personal information to another student enrolled in VOS. 2. No student should share work with another student. 6

3. Students should use proper respect in contact with faculty and administration. Teachers and administration should be addressed with the appropriate salutation. 4. Students are subject to VOS rules while online. Contact Information Victory Online School is equipped with teachers, academic advisors, administrators, and other support personnel in order to provide the parent and student the best possible service. The regular office hours are 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (CST). Teachers will post the best time to contact them in an email or message to the student. You may contact them by telephone, email, or the message system in the Victory Online School classroom. If you call before or after business hours, please leave a message on the voice mail and you will be contacted as soon as possible to answer your question. Calls received after regular business hours will be returned the next business day. In addition, you may make arrangements with your teacher to speak with them using the Skype program. This is one option that would allow a student to speak with a teacher live via the Internet. As with any type of program parents are encouraged to monitor the student in his or her use. The student can use a camera and microphone to speak to the teacher to receive the assistance required. The link to Skype is http://www.skype.com/intl/en/download/skype/windows/. Please read all information about the program before downloading. This is offered only as an alternative and is not required for the student to use. Victory Online School Faculty and Staff Administrative and Faculty Support: 918-491-7720 Website: vcstulsa.org E-mail: batteberry@victory.com or VOS@victory.com Academic Support When a student enrolls and begins coursework with VOS, the student will receive contact information for VOS administration and faculty. The office hours, e-mail addresses, and contact numbers will be available for each teacher. Special Benefits of Participation in Victory Online School 1. Chapels: Elementary Chapels (grades 2-5) are held on Wednesday mornings at 9:00 am. Middle School Chapels (grades 6-8) are held on Tuesday mornings at 9:00 am. The High School Chapels are held on Monday mornings at 9:00 am. There is a combined Middle School and High School Chapel on Thursday mornings at 9:00 am. All Chapels are held in the new creation center in the 3 rd floor meeting room of Victory Christian Center, 7700 South Lewis Ave, Tulsa, OK. Please call to confirm the schedule as there are changes in 7

the dates occasionally due to speakers or other issues. All fulltime VOS students are welcome to attend Chapels. The only requirement is the student needs to be in Chapel Dress Code. 2. Buddy points (Full time students only): Courses completed in a timely fashion will allow students to earn Buddy Certificates to be used to shadow a student for a day. For elementary students, completion of 3 units in all five subjects would result in one Buddy Certificate. When five certificates have been earned, they can be exchanged for an opportunity to attend classes with a Buddy for one day. A Buddy Certificate for the elementary level would be issued at the completion of 3, 6, and 9 units per course/subject. Thus, for every three units completed per course, they would earn one Buddy Certificate. When five certificates are earned, they can be exchanged for one day on campus with a Buddy. At the middle and high school levels, a Buddy Certificate would be earned by completing 4 units in all five subjects. When five certificates have been earned, they can be exchanged for one Buddy day. 3. Enrollment Vouchers for Victory Christian School: In addition, the Victory Online School program would award students who complete a full year of courses at the standard Tuition rate (Elem one grade level, MS and HS no less than 5 subjects) a $100 voucher. This voucher could be applied to enrollment fee, general fees or tuition should a parent decide to enroll this child as a full time student at Victory Christian School. Enrollment must be made prior to the start of the second semester their senior year. The voucher would be non-transferable outside of the family. If the voucher is not used by the time the student reaches their second semester of their senior year, the voucher is voided. No cash value will be assigned to vouchers, rather, credit will be applied to an account should a student enroll at Victory. 8

Course Schedule Planning Sheet: The following tables may be used for facilitating course planning. Please call or email your advisor for assistance. Grade 3 Date Started Date Completed Course Name Grade Level Course Grade Language Arts Mathematics History & Geography Bible Grade 4 Date Started Date Completed Course Name Grade Level Course Grade Language Arts Mathematics History & Geography Bible Grade 5 Date Started Date Completed Course Name Grade Level Course Grade Language Arts Mathematics History & Geography Bible Grade 6 Date Started Date Completed Course Name Grade Level Course Grade Language Arts Mathematics History & Geography Bible 9

Grade 7 Date Started Date Completed Course Name Grade Level Course Grade Language Arts Mathematics History & Geography Bible Grade 8 Date Started Date Completed Course Name Grade Level Course Grade Language Arts Graduation Credit Requirements Mathematics History & Geography Bible Subject Area 2010 Bible 4 English 4 Math 4 3 Social Studies 3.5 Computer /Technology.50 Ministry Communications (Speech).50 Fine Arts 2 s (Foreign Language Required for college 4.5 Total for Graduation 26 10

High School Planning Charts 11 Course Plan Grades 9-12 Last Name: First: M.I. Student Number: Birthdate: Home Phone: Name of School Transferring From: Grade 9 Recommended Course for College Course No. Short Title Required Schedule courses 3010 Bible Music Theory SOOMU 3030 English Phys Fitness SOOPF 3062 or Algebra1 Comp Sci 1 SOOBCISA 3061 Algebra 1/2 Comp Sci 2 SOOBCISB 3070/3072 Phys. Ed. Spanish 1 SOOSP1 3090 OK Hist/Govt Spanish 2 SOOSP2 3100 Phys. Sec Spanish SOOSP Grade 10 Sec French SOOFR 4010 Bible Speech SOOEC 4030 English American Lit SOOAM 4090 US History Foundations for Living SOOFOL 4040 Math British Lit SOOBL 4100 Biology Civil War SOOCW College Grade 11 Planner SOOCP 5010 Bible High School Health SOOHH 5030 English 5090 World HS 4060/5062 or Alg 2/Geo 5060 Alg 3/Trig 5100/6100 Chem/Anat 6010 Bible 6030 English Grade 12 AP English * 5090/5091 Govt/Wrld Hist 5060/6061 Alg 3 Tri/Cal 6110/7100 AP Cal * Physics/AP Bio Graduation Requirements 24 Credits 4 Units Bible 1 Units Computer * Teacher Recommendations ** 3 Units Math 2 Units Fine Arts++ + Required for Graduation 4 Units English 1 Units Computer ** Courses for Each Grade Level (See those in the shaded area) ** Can test out. Course No. 9 10 11 12

3 Units 1 Units Physical Ed*** ++ Music, Art ++++2 Units Foreign Language Recom. for College 3 Units Social Studies 4 Units s++++ *** Must pass President s Physical Fitness to Graduate Grading Scale A+ 97-100 A A 93-96 A- 90-92 B+ 87-89 B B 83-86 B- 80-82 C+ 77-79 C C 73-76 C- 70-72 D+ 67-69 D D 63-66 D- 60-62 F 59 I P S N Incomplete Passing w/credit Satisfactory Needs Improvement 12