School Improvement Team:

(Your school improvement team should consist of a variety of stakeholders within your school community including parents)

Instructional Overview  

Provide descriptive information related to the curriculum, instructional programs, professional learning and existing interventions utilizing a Response to Intervention approach to support the academic needs of students.

Provide explicit connections to your  school’s instructional overview and how it supports and aligns with GOAL 1: Empowered Students of the LCPS Strategic Plan and Goal 2.1 Offer high-quality Ongoing Growth and Development available to all staff; 2.2 Develop dedicated resources to improve Professional Collaboration across schools and the division

Virtual Loudoun is the online learning platform encompassing three branches of virtual learning opportunities with Loudoun County Public Schools, Virtual Loudoun Online, Virtual Distance Learning, and Virtual Distance Elementary.

Virtual Distance Learning (VDL) is the full-time secondary (grades 6-12) learning program that offers synchronous, daily instruction via Google Meet and Schoology. This program offers optional Distance Learning for students in Loudoun County Public Schools.  Students enrolled in Virtual Distance Learning take all of their classes from a distance, without attending a brick-and-mortar school in person. For the 2025-2026 school year, Distance Learning was open to all LCPS students to equitably apply for academic preference.  The Principal leads staff in the development, implementation, and evaluation of a comprehensive educational program in accordance with School Board Policies and Administrative Regulations.

Courses are by synchronous Google Meet with students and teachers signed on together. Course content is assigned and completed using the Schoology Learning Management system.  Students are actively engaged in classwork, homework, and other assignments personalized for their mastery learning. Students who enroll in Virtual Distance Learning make a one year commitment to receiving all of their schooling in the Distance Learning format. Students from all over Loudoun County attend Distance Learning classes together.  Classes follow a regular LCPS school day bell schedule and attendance in a Google Meet is required each day. VDL students have 4 blocks per day, alternating A and B days. Coursework is available to fulfill pathways to graduation including electives in Career and Technical Education, World Language, Health and PE,  and Art. VDL offers academic electives in all core subject areas as well. Students engage with their teacher and classmates in real time. Students complete weekly assignments, readings, discussions, group work and exams and other activities designed to enhance learning outcomes. Class activities are determined and communicated by the teacher and aligned with LCPS instructional initiatives including Personalized Learning, Project Based Learning, Profile of a Graduate, and the One LCPS: 2027 Strategic Plan for Excellence.

Secondary English and Reading:  

Curriculum and Instruction: Secondary English and Reading instruction is grounded in the science of reading and utilizes evidence-based literacy practices that reflect three of the five pillars of literacy: fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension, in addition to writing.  Instruction across all areas of literacy is explicit and systematic and aligns with the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs).  The purpose of curriculum and instruction is to develop knowledgeable readers, writers, speakers, and thinkers.   Students use resources including digital content such as No Red Ink, Newsela, and Study Sync as well as authentic literature and informational texts.  Professional Learning: Secondary teachers engage in continuous professional development to support the implementation of best practices for literacy instruction in classrooms and intervention settings.  Intervention and Progress Monitoring: Each student’s literacy progress is monitored through multiple data points including MAP, SOLs, and IReady and formative literacy diagnostics like myLexia. Students who have identified areas of need are provided with differentiated classroom instruction and/or evidence-based intervention.  Using the LCPS decision trees as guidance, tiered supports are provided to students that align with expectations outlined in the Virginia Literacy Act.  

At Virtual Loudoun, we follow the 5 C’s (Collaborator, Communicator, Contributor, Creator and Critical Thinker) and the Profile of a Graduate, providing rigor instruction VLA training, after school tutoring, focus on reading and comprehension and reading scores to drive Tiered support via MTSS interventions

Math: LCPS Math Curriculum and instruction uses a math workshop structure and focuses on student-centered learning activities that include daily number sense routines and reflection.  Teachers plan small-group targeted instruction, varying the groups regularly.  Instruction prioritizes hands-on, inquiry-based learning focusing on conceptual understanding using representations and models/manipulatives (LCPS recommended math virtual manipulatives).   Instruction also emphasizes the implementation of the Process Goals and the 5Cs through student collaboration, reasoning, communicating, making connections, and problem-solving.  Students who have identified areas of need are provided with differentiated classroom instruction and/or explicitly taught, evidenced-based intervention.

At Virtual Loudoun, we implemented Math Lab for all secondary students to access during blocks 1-8. We referenced students' SOL scores as well as current class progress to identify students of need. We also have tutoring to support students in grades 1-8.  

Science: LCPS science programs are designed to actively engage students in the process of science and use reasoning processes that build scientific thinking. Our classes teach students to know, use, and interpret scientific explanations of the natural world; to generate and evaluate scientific evidence and explanations; to understand the nature and development of scientific knowledge; and to participate productively in scientific practices and discourse.

At Virtual Loudoun, we have a focus on virtual best practices with virtual lab simulators and safety, real world experiences and preparation for higher level coursework, such as AP or DE level classes.

Social Sciences & Global Studies: Social Science and Global Studies instruction in LCPS is grounded in a culturally responsive approach to the content in a way that elevates multiple perspectives. Students are empowered through authentic, inquiry-based learning experiences that promote students' development of  historical thinking skills and provide opportunities to make their thinking visible.  Students demonstrate their understanding, knowledge and skills through authentic performance tasks.

Comprehensive Needs Assessment

Academic Achievement

A summary providing evidence of analysis of trends, patterns, proficiency, and growth in student academic achievement data.  Provide a clear connection between outcomes and contributing factors.

The Virtual Distance Learning, VDL  School Improvement, SIP team reviewed reading scores from the 24-25 school year and identified the need to focus on improved reading scores using multiple strategies, including MTSS supports, reading specialist strategies, and after school tutoring opportunities.  

Goals for the 25-26 school year include:

*Virtual Distance Learning, VDL staff will focus on supporting success with reading for secondary students.

Comprehensive Needs Assessment

Student Engagement

A summary of trends, patterns, strengths and areas for growth in student engagement data, including attendance, discipline, perceptual data, and graduation data (HS only).

The Virtual Distance Learning, VDL  School Improvement, SIP team reviewed attendance data from the 24-25 school year and identified a needed focus on overall improved attendance across the school program via communication with students and the community, regular attendance meetings, and the creation of attendance/truancy protocols.

Goals for the 25-26 school year include:

*Virtual Distance Learning, VDL staff will focus on improving chronic absenteeism and student engagement with their education.

Extended Learning and Engagement Opportunities

Provide information to describe extended learning and engagement opportunities for students, families, and community including what events you have planned or are considering hosting.

Provide explicit connections to your school’s extended learning and engagement opportunities and how they support and align with GOAL 4: Engaged Community of the LCPS Strategic Plan, especially GOAL 4.1 Deepen Family Engagement by offering inclusive opportunities for conversation across the division.

Extended Learning:

The Virtual Distance Learning (VDL) secondary program offerings are guided by the LCPS Program of Studies but are less robust than the courses available in each LCPS Middle and High School. Students have access to all courses that are required for graduation, including enough electives to take a full course load. Virtual Distance Learning is pleased to offer select honors, Dual Enrollment, and AP courses, electives, specialty and advanced courses, as well as gifted education. For our second year with new levels added, VDL offers hybrid Latin and American Sign Language course options to equitably offer access to hard to staff World Language and Cultures courses in LCPS.

In addition to the Virtual Distance Learning secondary program, students can explore the options for High School students to take one elective via Virtual Loudoun Online, which offers fully asynchronous coursework.  For courses not offered by Virtual Distance Learning, there is the opportunity to enroll students in Virtual Virginia (VVA) courses, which includes synchronous and asynchronous instruction. The Virtual Loudoun Principal is also the VVA Division Coordinator and point of contact for the District.  In addition, the Virtual Distance Learning Director of School Counseling and School Counselor will collaborate with the student and the home school counselor to support each student in determining their schedule

Family and Community Engagement Opportunities:

Our goal at Virtual Loudoun is to create a community feel of connectedness, inclusion and support.  We work to engage students and families continually with school day activities and connections, and after school clubs, SOL Remediation, tutoring, virtual guest speakers, spirit weeks, virtual assemblies, virtual field trips, virtual graduation celebrations, volunteer opportunities and in person community pickups.

Climate and Culture

Provide a description of strategies that address the needs of all children in the school, but particularly the needs of those at risk of not meeting the challenging state academic standards, through activities such as counseling, social emotional learning and mental health programs, and PBIS implementation.

Make explicit connections to the LCPS Strategic Plan goals of 1.3 Prioritize Care for Students by

ensuring a safe and affirming learning environment for all;  

At Virtual Loudoun, we took a deep dive into feedback from 23-24  climate surveys, student and staff surveys attendance data and perceptual data gleaned from teachers and students in our unique virtual  school setting to review ways with which to continually support and grow our three school programs and our connectedness to the LCPS community.  

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS): PBIS is a systemic approach for establishing a safe and supportive learning environment. Through the implementation of a consistent vision, language, and practices, school staff promote social, behavioral, and academic success for all students.  

Successful implementation of PBIS can lead to a positive school climate, improved classroom management, increased understanding of schoolwide expectations, strengthened relationships, increased positive behaviors, academic achievement and equitable learning experiences, and decreased office referrals and suspensions. To support implementation, the PBIS team meets regularly to evaluate behavioral data, provide behavioral lessons based on identified needs, and share resources.

At Virtual Loudoun, the PBIS team’s mission is to promote engaging, respectful, self-advocating, responsible students who positively push their peers and selves to success.  The team implemented monthly recognitions from staff, aligns with the VDL vision of meeting students where they are then, Together We SOAR and our PBIS matrix of SOAR, Strive to Succeed, Optimistic, Admirable and Responsible).  

Social Emotional Learning (SEL): The social-emotional learning framework provides students with explicit SEL instruction, practice and reinforcement of skills through academic integration, and a supportive environment that cultivates relationships, belonging, safety and a student-centered approach. The framework is supported by the involvement of all community members, including staff, students, families and community partners.  

At Virtual Loudoun, we support SEL for elementary students through morning meets and secondary students through daily advisory lessons.  We utilize Wayfinder curriculum for middle school students and Wayfinder content for high school lessons. Additioanlly, for high school students, we have alternating FLEX and advisory days weekly, providing students the opportunity to connect with teachers for added support with mastery learning.  We all support connectedness for students through a weekly Friday Connections time where students have options of clubs, activities, reading rooms, etc.