Thank you for your interest in VCS Ohio! On this page, you will find answers to many frequently asked questions. If you have additional questions, please contact VCS Ohio at info@vcslearn.org or (866) 501-9473. You may also click on the link to download a VCS Ohio brochure.
Why should I choose VCS?
Why was VCS Ohio created?
Can any student participate in VCS Ohio?
Why is VCS Ohio sponsored by the Reynoldsburg School District?
Do I have to pay for my child to attend VCS Ohio?
How is VCS Ohio funded and managed?
What type of student participates in this type of learning experience?
How can students access VCS Ohio’s online curriculum?
What curriculum is used by VCS Ohio?
What types of computer skills are required for a student to attend?
As a parent, what is my role in this type of environment?
What can I do to help assure my son’s or daughter’s success?
Will I be able to communicate directly with the teachers?
Will I have access to my son/daughter’s grades?
How will I know if my son/daughter is not participating or keeping up in his/her classes?
Will students have to log in everyday?
Will my child have an assigned teacher?
Will I have access to my child’s progress reports?
Can I graduate early?
Will students have to take state-mandated tests?
How will state-mandated tests be given?
Will parents have access to student’s grades?
Can my high school student take college courses for dual credit?
Can I elect to use my own computer?
What if there is more than one student in the household?
Can my child receive Supplementary Education Services?
Is there a help desk to assist me when I have questions?
Why should I choose VCS Ohio?
VCS Ohio offers students, a flexible, convenient, safe alternative to traditional public school at no cost. Courses are taught by certified, high-quality teachers using first-rate, interactive curriculum. Plus, students receive a FREE computer, printer, scanner and internet access while enrolled. To hear first-hand VCS Ohio success stories, click here.back to top
Why was VCS Ohio created?
This non-profit organization was created to provide students with an online, quality instructional alternative that best serves each student’s needs in the comfort of his or her home.back to top
Can any student participate in VCS Ohio?
VCS Ohio will conduct formal “Child Find” activities on behalf of the enrolled students. VCS Ohio is open to any students who meets the school’s age, grade, and geographic enrollment criteria and whose parents choose to apply. VCS Ohio provides appropriate services for students with disabilities. If your student needs special education services, please call (866) 501-9473, extension 2011.
Any student living in the state of Ohio can participate in VCS Ohio at no charge. The virtual school is designed for students in grades K-12. Beginning with the 2009-10 school year, VCS Ohio will offer kindergarten. High school students can be no older than 22 as of August 27.back to top
Why is VCS Ohio sponsored by the Reynoldsburg School District?
The Reynoldsburg School District partners with VCS Ohio to offer this online school. It is the desire of Reynoldsburg City Schools to provide additional options for its students, as well as other students throughout Ohio, to achieve even greater academic success.back to top
Do I have to pay for my child to attend VCS Ohio?
No. Any student living in the state of Ohio can participate in VCS Ohio at no charge.back to top
How is VCS Ohio funded and managed?
VCS Ohio is a community school funded through tax dollars provided by the Ohio Department of Education. VCS Ohio is managed by its own superintendent and school board, similar to other Ohio public schools.back to top
What type of student participates in this type of learning experience?
VCS Ohio is the perfect choice for students who choose not to attend school for physical, health, personal or philosophical reasons. VCS Ohio is ideal for home-schooled students, students who are parents, students who need flexible school hours and students with physical and/or emotional limitations that make learning from home a necessity. Many students, especially those who have difficulty learning in a traditional school, make great improvements in an online learning environment. VCS Ohio also offers advanced instruction for gifted students whose education needs have surpassed a particular school’s course offerings.back to top
How can students access VCS Ohio’s online curriculum?
Each student will receive a FREE computer, printer, scanner and unlimited Internet access for use while enrolled. Because VCS Ohio is a public school, no tuition fee is charged to its students. Should a family require a dedicated phone line, VCS Ohio will pay for installation and monthly fees.back to top
What curriculum is used by VCS Ohio?
VCS Ohio is aligned with Ohio Content Standards and uses new, top-notch textbooks from Holt. back to top
What types of computer skills are required for a student to attend?
Computer skills are not required for enrollment, but basic computing skills are a valuable asset and can make the transition to a digital-learning environment easier.back to top
As a parent, what is my role in this type of environment?
Learning online is a student-parent-teacher partnership. Parent involvement increases student success. When parents stay involved in helping with schedules, familiarizing themselves with course material, assignments and grades, and communicating with teachers, students have a higher degree of success. back to top
What can I do to help assure my son’s or daughter’s success?
Closely monitor the student’s progress from the beginning. A good start is imperative to make certain that the student adapts to this new learning environment. Also, it is imperative that parents check their e-mail on a regular basis and maintain communication with their student’s teachers. back to top
Will I be able to communicate directly with the teachers?
Yes. Teachers can be contacted using a toll-free number or directly through e-mail. back to top
Will I have access to my son/daughter’s grades?
Yes. Parents will be assigned their own unique user name and password to access the grade book at any time.back to top
How will I know if my son/daughter is not participating or keeping up in his/her classes?Student progress reports will be mailed four times per year. Also, parents are expected to keep up-to-date on their student’s progress by checking the grade book and communicating with the student and his or her teachers.back to top
Will students have to log in everyday?
Students will not be required to log on to the computer everyday. They will, however, be required to account for their daily activities throughout the school year. Each student will be prompted to account for the time spent completing learning activities each time they log in to their personal classroom.
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Will my child have an assigned teacher?
Yes. Students will have assigned teachers who will communicate and work with the student and parents to ensure that the individual needs of the child are being met. back to top
Will I have access to my child’s progress reports?
Yes. Parents will be mailed progress reports quarterly. Also, parents will have their own unique user name and password to check on the student’s progress at any time.back to top
Can I graduate early?
Yes. One of the advantages of VCS Ohio is that it allows students to progress at their own pace. Students who wish to graduate early will be able to progress at an accelerated pace and take additional classes, provided they maintain a minimum GPA of 2.75. back to top
Will students have to take state-mandated tests?
Yes. The Virtual Community School of Ohio is a community school established under Chapter 3314. of the Revised Code. The school is a public school and students enrolled in and attending the school are required to take proficiency tests and other examinations prescribed by law. In addition, there may be other requirements for students at the school that are prescribed by law. Students who have been excused from the compulsory attendance law for the purpose of home education as defined by the Administrative Code shall no longer be excused for that purpose upon their enrollment in a community school. For more information about this matter contact the school administration or the Ohio Department of Education.
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How will state-mandated tests be given?
State-mandated tests, such as the Ohio Achievment Test and Ohio Graduation Test, must be taken in person. VCS will secure testing locations throughout the state to allow students to take their tests close to home. Parents will be required to choose a testing location from a list of regional options. back to top
Will parents have access to student’s grades?
Yes. Parents will receive their own unique user name and password to access grades.back to top
Can my high school student take college courses for dual credit?
Yes! Through a unique partnership with Kent State University, students can earn high school and college credit for online classes offered through KSU. It is possible for a VCS student to earn two years of college credit before graduating from high school. These courses are FREE to full-time VCS students. Click here for more information. VCS Ohio also supports the PSEO program. back to top
Can I elect to use my own computer?
It is not recommended, as there will be certain programs loaded onto your VCS Ohio computer. However, there may be a need for you to access the learning environment from another location. You may use another computer provided it meets the minimum specifications needed to run necessary applications. If students elect to use their own computer, VCS Ohio will not be responsible for any hardware problems that may be encountered.back to top
What if there is more than one student in the household?
We will provide a computer for each VCS Ohio student. back to top
Can my child receive Supplementary Education Services?
VCS Ohio receives special funding for tutoring services through the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, for those families that qualify for free and reduced lunch. A form is included in the enrollment packet that must be completed and returned with the packet. Families are notified upon qualification for the program and then must complete the appropriate paperwork and return it to the Title Office on Refugee Rd. Since the number of slots are limited, families should return paperwork within 30 days of enrollment. Qualifying families are determined by income. Click here for more SES informationback to top
Is there a help desk to assist me when I have questions?
Yes, there is a help desk, staffed with professional, friendly people to answer your technical questions.back to top
