Virtual Academic Academy
SCH believes EVERY student is entitled to and should be provided with challenging educational experiences and opportunities to ensure full and meaningful participation in a global, diverse technology-oriented society. This belief allows the Virtual Academic Academy (VAA) to serve a diverse academic student population. The purpose of the VAA is to provide a quality, personalized learning curriculum for independent scholars who can master academic standards through a virtual learning option. VAA is a synchronous, five-day-a-week program. Enrollment closes June 3, 2022. No applications will be accepted or considered after this date.
Starting the 2022-2023 school year, VAA students in grades 7-12 will receive their education through a partnership with Indiana Online Academy (IOA). Courses are delivered synchronously (same time with the teacher) and asynchronously (own time away from the teacher). For core courses (English, Math, Science and Social Studies), students will receive synchronous instruction from their teacher following a master schedule provided by IOA. Attendance will be required at these sessions. All electives and higher-level core courses (AP, Dual Credit) will be delivered asynchronously, but with an Indiana Online teacher leading the course. While these courses are not synchronous, active participation is required. Please refer to the Indiana Online Academy FAQ or Indiana Online Academy’s website for more information about the program. Please note that VAA students in grades 7-12 follow a different yearly schedule and daily schedule than in-person students. VAA students in grades 7-12 start August 1 and attend daily from 7AM – 1:45PM.
VAA students in grades 3-6 will continue to receive direct instruction from a SCH teacher five days a week. The student will follow the SCH School Year Calendar and is expected to log in daily with his/her teacher for synchronous learning.
Successful scholars in this program are:
- Independent learners.
- Organized.
- Self-disciplined.
- Communicative.
- Prepared.
- Encouraged and motivated from family and/or parents.
Students in this program have:
- Control over learning space.
- The ability to work at their own pace, suitable to their learning style.
- More one-on-one attention from teachers and staff.
- A personalized learning experienced, tailored to fit their needs.
- Grades 3-12 for the 2022-2023 school year
- Current School City of Hammond student
- 3.0 GPA from the spring semester for secondary students
- As and Bs from the spring semester for elementary students
- 95% attendance (fewer than nine days of missed classes)
- No suspensions or expulsions for the 2021-2022 school year
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Students who receive special education services or have a medical need can only be placed in the Virtual Academy through a case conference process.
This program could be right for your student if they:
- Prefer learning outside of the traditional classroom setting.
- Prefer personalized learning and 1:1 contact with teacher.
- Engage in city community activities than school-based activities, sports, and clubs.
Elementary School (Grades 3-6) students?
The elementary school student will receive direct instruction from a SCH teacher five days a week. The student will follow the SCH School Year Calendar and is expected to log in daily with his/her teacher for synchronous learning. Teacher will provide additional support and resources for the student.
Students must maintain all As and Bs in each class and maintain 95% attendance to stay in the Academy. Students must also adhere to the rules found in the School City of Hammond Student Handbook found on the SCH website link.
Secondary (Grades 7-12) students?
The middle school student will follow a bell schedule and receive direct instruction from Indiana Online Academy (IOA) teachers five days a week. Students will follow the IOA Academic Calendar found at the link below with a starting date of August 1, 2022. Students are expected to log in daily to each online class for synchronous learning during the school hours provided by IOA (7:00AM – 1:45PM). Student’s schedule will be a combination of asynchronous (at their pace) and live Zoom courses. Attendance is required at the live Zoom courses. Additionally, IOA will hold a weekly homeroom time on Monday, as well as required learning opportunity time on Wednesday. IOA teachers will provide additional support and resources for the students.
Students must have a GPA of 3.0 or greater and maintain 95% attendance to stay in the academy. Students must adhere to the rules found in the SCH Student and Parent Handbook, SCH Student Code of Conduct found on the SCH Website, and the Indiana Online Student Handbook found in the links below.
Yes, the student can be denied entry to the program if the student does not meet the requirements or if the program is at capacity.
Yes, if it is applicable to the course the student is enrolled in for learning the content.
Yes, the student will need to enroll in all grade level courses that are offered online.
Yes, students can still participate in extra-curricular activities (sports, clubs, dances) at their designated home school, which will be indicated in PowerSchool.
Yes, the teacher will provide additional support and resources for the student.
Yes, the teacher will communicate with the student and parent about the status of a course completion.
The parent and student will be informed after enrollment closes on June 3, 2022.
To remain in the Virtual Academic Academy, the student must:
- Grades 3-12 for the 2022-2023 school year
- Current School City of Hammond student
- 3.0 GPA from the spring semester for secondary students
- As and Bs from the spring semester for elementary students
- 95% attendance (fewer than nine days of missed classes)
- No suspensions or expulsions for the 2021-2022 school year
The Virtual Academic Academy will open for applications at the beginning of each semester. If a student wants to transfer back to in-person learning, they must do so at the end of the semester.
Once students are accepted into the Virtual Academic Academy, they must finish out the semester in the program.