Q. What is Virtual Virginia?

A. Virtual Virginia offers online AP and foreign language courses to students across the state and nation. The courses utilize course management software to maximize the interactivity of each class. Each course contains video segments, audio clips, whiteboard and online discussions as well as text. Teachers will be available for telephone conversations with students throughout the school day. Virtual Virginia classes offer a rich multimedia learning environment that appeals to a variety of learning styles. Virtual Virginia courses can be scheduled flexibly throughout the day, as courses do not have to be taken in 'real' time.

Q. Who can enroll in Virtual Virginia courses?

A. Students in middle and high schools who meet the prerequisites may enroll through their schools. The deadline for registering students is the end of the first week of school for your district. The deadline for spring semester 4X4 block courses is the first week of the spring semester.

Q. Is there a charge for Virtual Virginia classes?

A. There is no charge for Virginia students participating in the Early College Scholars (ECS) program. Tuition and AP exam fees are paid for all ECS students. There is a tuition charge per course for non-ECS students enrolled in AP courses of $375 times the Local Composite Index (between $75 and $300). There is a charge of $250 for all public school students enrolled in SAT Prep. Tuition for Virginia private and home school students is $500 per 1 credit course, and $300 per .5 credit course. Tuition for out-of-state enrollment is $650 per 1 credit course, $450.00 per .5 credit course, and a $75.00 communications surcharge for out of country students. There will be no tuition charged for foreign language courses for Virginia public school students.

Q. What is the Early College Scholars Program and how does one enroll?

A. The Early College Scholars Program is the Virginia Education for a Lifetime initiative. High school students are encouraged to get a head start on college by taking college level courses before graduating high school. Early College Scholar students must have at least a "B" average, be pursuing an Advanced Studies Diploma, and be on course to complete a minimum of 15 college credit hours by graduation. Students, parent or guardians, principals, and guidance counselors sign the Early College Scholars Agreement to participate. For more information, see the Early College Scholars page.

Q. How are tuition fees paid?

A. Tuition for Early College Scholars is paid directly by the Department of Education. School divisions are reimbursed for the AP exam fees for Virginia Early College Scholar students who are enrolled in a Virtual Virginia class. Tuition fees for other students are paid directly to the Department of Education.

Q. What are the responsibilities of the school and school division?

A. Schools must provide a local mentor, an adequate study area for distance learning students, computers, access to the Internet, and telephone. Textbooks, lab materials or software must be purchased and are not paid by the Department of Education.

Q. Who teaches Virtual Virginia courses?

A. All instructors with Virtual Virginia are Virginia licensed, highly qualified, and have experience in distance learning. Courses are offered from distance learning support centers located throughout the state.

Q. Does the mentor need to be a licensed teacher?

A. No, the mentor will proctor tests, be available to handle communication between the student and teacher as needed, monitor student progress and assist students with technology issues.

Q. Are the online AP courses as rigorous as conventional AP courses?

A. Yes. AP courses offered through Virtual Virginia cover the same content and are just as rigorous as conventional AP courses.

Q. When do classes begin and end?

A. Online classes are asynchronous which means they can begin at the same time as the student's high school. Online courses will start course sections at the same time as typical start dates for Virginia schools. For example, one section will begin on Monday August 21, the next on Monday August 28, another on September 5 and the final section on September 11. Spring semester courses will start in a similar pattern in January.

Q. Do college level courses taken during high school sophomore, junior and senior years count toward the 15-credit requirement for the Early College Scholar program?

A. Yes. Students who score at least a "3" on the AP exams can be counted toward the Early College Scholar requirement. In addition, International Baccalaureate, Cambridge, or dual enrollment courses can also count. See the Early College Scholars website for more information or visit www.virginiamentor.org.

Q. Are there any restrictions or other requirements for private schools?

A. Private school students may enroll in Virtual Virginia courses but are not eligible for the Early College Scholars Program and therefore, not eligible for tuition or AP exam fee payment.

Q. Should students register as a group through the school or individually?

A. Students should confer with their guidance counselor and register through their school using the online Web site registration. Guidance counselors and principals will receive the grades for the courses. See your guidance counselor for more information.

Q. What skills do students need to succeed in an online class?

A. While Virtual Virginia students are strongly supported by the instructor and school mentor, students need to be self-motivated so they do not fall behind. Students must be able to stay on task, meet deadlines and ask for assistance when needed. Some keyboarding skills and knowledge of email and using a web browser are also helpful.

If you have additional questions, please contact Cathy Cheely 804.225.2972 at the Department of Education.