PARENTS/FAQ
Creating a Partnership and Proper Schooling Environment
There are some critical steps that have been shown to give students who are not in traditional classrooms the best likelihood of meeting their academic goals. The first step is to make sure the student has the proper structure and discipline in place in order to do their schoolwork in a timely fashion. For this to take place, the student, parent, and mentor must form a partnership and work as a team toward the goal of enabling and encouraging the student to reach his or her academic goals.
The parent plays a critical role by creating and enforcing the proper structure and discipline to help ensure that their student is logged in at a minimum of 25 hours per week. Some students will require less time, some will require more time in order to stay on pace.
The student’s time management skills need to be monitored by the parent just as if they were in a traditional school or a home school setting. The parents' understanding and execution of their role and responsibilities is key to their child's success.
Communication
The mentor is required by the State of Michigan to document weekly communication with students as well as the manner of communication: phone, e-mail, text, discussion boards, face-to-face time at school and/or off-site locations, etc. The mentor will work with you and your student to determine what communication avenues work best. (State law requires at least once weekly two-way communication between mentor and student.)
FAQ - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
"When isenrollment open?"
Students can enroll in the UPVA during one of the two open enrollment periods; semester 1 or semester 2. These dates vary from year to year but, generally, the deadline to enroll ends the first week of September (semester 1) and the last week of January (semester 2).
"When do classes start for the 1st semester of the school year?"
Classes for 1st semester begin the day after Labor Day each year.
"When do classes start for the 2nd semester of the school year?"
Classes for 2nd semester begins approximately the 3rd week of January. This could be flexible upon parent and student situation.
"What is the cost of the program?"
There is no cost to enroll in the Upper Peninsula Virtual Academy. Funding is secured through the Michigan Department of Education foundation allowance given for pupils enrolled in a public school in the State of Michigan.
"Is the Upper Peninsula Virtual Academy accredited?"
Yes,
UPVA is accredited through the Michigan Department of Education.
"If I complete the required credits for graduation, will I receive a fully endorsed Michigan Merit Curriculum Diploma?"
Yes, students receive a fully endorsed Michigan Merit Curriculum Diploma so long as they take the required MME exam and complete the graduation credit track.
"What is the number of credits needed for graduation?"
Students must meet the Gladstone or Calumet High School credit requirements in order to receive a high school diploma. For more information on these requirements, call the UPVA offices, (906) 337-0311 ext. 5100.
Do I have to take the standardized state tests?
Yes, the state requires full-time students in applicable grade levels to take standardized state tests.
"Where will students take the standardized state tests?"
UPVA will develop testing sites in the Upper Peninsula based on the location of our enrolled students.
"Does UPVA accept courses earned through other schools in Michigan and out-of-state schools?"
Yes, if you earned it, we accept it! Transferred credit will fully apply toward your Individualized Learning Plan.
"Can I finish my classes earlier than scheduled?"
Yes,
you can move ahead as quickly as you like and even graduate early.
"Is there a minimum amount of time I'm required to be online for the program?"
We encourage our students to work actively online for 4/5 hours per week per class. This is equivalent to taking classes on-campus.
"How is attendance hours treated and are vacation days allowed to be taken any time a family chooses?"
Attendance hours are not a concern, but steady progress through the coursework is key. We understand that not everybody operates on the same weekly schedule, and understand that vacation opportunities come up at various times. We have purposefully built in the flexibility necessary to meet the needs of non-traditional attendance patterns and will address any issues with communication. However, to comply with state law, it is necessary for students to have weekly two-way communication with the mentor and that communication must be educational in nature.
"If I have trouble in a subject area, is there help available?"
Yes, each student has a mentor and a highly qualified, Michigan certified content teacher to answer questions. The mentors and teachers can be reached by phone, email, and other digital methods.
"Can UPVA prevent cheating?"
All students must adhere to the UPVA student agreement which strictly prohibits all forms of cheating and plagiarism. Parental involvement with students’ academic progress helps to keep students focused on completing courses without the detrimental effects of cheating and plagiarism.
"Are there textbooks that go along with the curriculum?"
All classes are done online, however there could be some courses that involve textbooks and physical materials. UPVA would supply the textbook and the student must return the book after completing the course if needed. If a student does not return the textbook, they would be liable for the cost of the book.
"Can I use my own computer?"
Yes, your courses can be accessed from any computer that is on the Internet.
"How do I enroll?"
Easy, let's talk. Click here to set up a brief phone call with UPVA representative . Whether you have questions, concerns or are ready to enroll, everyone starts by speaking with us. Enrollment packets will be completed after this initial consultation. Once these two steps are completed, enrollment is official.