LAWRENCEVILLE- Beginning in August, Gwinnett County Public Schools will offer students a new way to earn a diploma online through Gwinnett Online Campus.
The mission of Gwinnett Online Campus is to "enhance the learning of students in a world-class virtual environment, empowering them with the 21st century knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the local, national and global community."
Dr. Steve Flynt, Associate Superintendent for School Leadership and Operational Support, says, "We are confident we can deliver on this promise as Online Campus has been helping students successfully learn online through summer school and 7th period classes for 11 years. Building on this past success and prompted by high levels of interest from students, Gwinnett Online Campus is now ready to serve students on a full-time basis."
Registration for the new school is underway and continue through February 28.
Registration materials and information about the online high school and online learning can be found on the district website and at gwinnettonlinecampus.com.
In its inaugural year as a Gwinnett high school, Gwinnett Online Campus will serve students in grades 9-12. Current students in grades 8-11 are eligible to enroll. Enrolling students do not have to be currently enrolled in a Gwinnett County school but must be a resident of the county.
Online Campus will accept all interested students unless there are more applicants than spaces available, in which case a random lottery will be used to determine enrollment. Online Campus offers the courses and the district's AKS-based curriculum (which includes all state performance standards) found at traditional high schools.
While what students learn may be the same, how students learn will differ in many ways. Online students will have homework, must meet deadlines, will be required to participate in class discussions and their learning will be assessed much like their peers at other high schools. The difference is that these activities will occur over the Internet and students may complete coursework during the time of day that best fits their schedules.
Online Campus students will take three online classes each mini-semester, earning six credits during the four mini-semesters. The school's mini-semesters begin in August, October, January, and March. A key to the mini-semester system is that students have the opportunity to take an additional class each mini-semester for a fee, allowing them to accrue credits that will help them graduate earlier. As a non-traditional Gwinnett County high school, Gwinnett online students will have to meet all state and local credit and assessment requirements prior to receiving a Gwinnett County Public Schools diploma.
As online learners must log in to class daily, students will need a computer and reliable Internet access in order to complete their coursework. Students and teachers will communicate on a daily basis about assignments and upcoming assessments. This communication will take place through email, phone calls, discussion boards, virtual classrooms, and other web 2.0 tools.
We encourage interested students to learn more about this new opportunity. Review the registration materials, visit the Gwinnett Online Campus website, and attend one of six planned information sessions.
Gwinnett Online Campus is seeking charter status with the Georgia Department of Education. The state will take action on this request later this spring. Regardless of the school's charter status, it will be ready to open in August 2011 as a fully accredited high school.
Saturday
May 18th, 2024
1:52PM
