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GSD Fall 2020 LVS FAQs
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Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What grade levels are available at Lakeshore Virtual School (LVS)?

Currently, LVS offers programming for grades K-12.

  1. What is my responsibility as a K-8 parent?

Parents of a K-8 student will have an active role in their child’s learning. Parents will be expected to work with their child daily, especially K-5, and act as an extra form of support to that child. All parents of children K-8 will need to take part in mentor training to learn how to best assist their child.

  1. Is there help available if a student has questions about their classes?

Yes. Lakeshore has highly qualified GSD teachers in all core subject areas. Students may visit campus, call, email, or video chat with their teachers during school hours when they need help. In addition, each LVS student is assigned a mentor teacher who can help with questions or can help students get in touch with the appropriate content-area teacher.

  1. What curriculum providers will be offered at the Lakeshore Virtual School?

Currently Lakeshore is partnering with Lincoln Empowered for K-5. Grades 6-12 have courses available in Edgenuity and Odysseyware.

  1. Are there textbooks that go along with the curriculum?

For the most part, course materials and the instructional programs are delivered virtually. Classes have online content that is text based with illustrations, much like a textbook. However, English classes in Odysseyware do have physical novels that are required to complete the course.

  1. Does my student have to ever physically be on campus?

Yes, all students must physically attend and complete any state mandated standardized assessments on the LVS campus. However, our traditional 3 hour campus requirement for coursework will be waived for the 2020-2021 school year due to COVID-19. Campus will be open for additional support with teachers via appointment or can call, text, or video chat.

  1. Does my student have to take all the classes online?

No. The majority of a student’s coursework will be completed online. However, there are options for students in grades 9-12 to enroll in career/technical courses through our partnership with the Downriver Career Technical Consortium (DCTC) or dual enrollment. Additionally, interested students in grades K-12 have opportunities to take physical courses within the community through our Partnership program.

  1. What are the attendance requirements?

Student attendance will be different from a physical school. Attendance will be based on required weekly mentor contact and student progress within their classes.

  1. Is there a minimum amount of time the student must be online for the program?

While there is no defined requirement, it is recommended that students work 3-5 hours daily in order to be successful. Keep in mind that the flexibility of anytime/anywhere learning may result in these times being varied for different students and situations.

  1. Does my child have to log in at specific times? Are these live classes?

Students are able to complete their work  any time that is convenient for them. There are no live sessions, which means curriculum is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Coursework is assigned using the district school calendar and will assign work on snow days but not on specified “No School” days or weekends.

  1. How does my student take physical education?

Lakeshore Virtual School offers physical education courses in the same manner as other required courses. Topics include fitness, physical health, wellness, conditioning, and some sports and recreation instruction. Some lessons require students to do physical activities on their own.

  1. Can my middle school child earn high school credits?

Yes, students in middle school can earn high school credits in Algebra and Foreign Language.

  1. Approximately how long does it take to complete one course?

On average, it takes about 3 weeks to complete one course for grades 6-12. However, this varies by student and depends on the number of total courses a student is working on at any given time.

  1. Is an LVS student eligible for district athletic teams or extracurricular events and clubs?

Generally because LVS is a completely separate school within the Gibraltar School District, these offerings are not available to LVS students. This year, however, due to the pandemic, if students and families are looking for the virtual option simply due to COVID, they will still be considered a student of their home school, and therefore will be able to attend events and participate in extra curricular activities in their home school. For a high school student, the graduation credit requirements will remain the same as they would in the home school

To further clarify, High School students permanently enrolled in LVS who are following the 18 credit graduation requirement will not be eligible for athletics or other events that are available to Carlson High School or Shumate Middle School students. Students temporarily transferring to LVS due to COVID and staying under the 23 CHS graduation requirement will be eligible for CHS extracurriculars as the expectation is to physically return to the home school when appropriate.

  1. Do I have to provide my own laptop or other technology requirements?

No. Upon enrollment at LVS, students are issued a school Chromebook, charger, and laptop bag. Students are welcome to use personal computers, if preferred. Students transferring due to COVID will continue to use their GSD “home” school Chromebook.

  1. Is there a financial obligation to be enrolled in this program?

No. LVS is a part of the Gibraltar Public School District, which means the program is free to students.

  1. How do I enroll?
  1. Students already enrolled in a Gibraltar School District will transfer as follows:
  1. If temporarily transferring due to COVID (will return to physical school once deemed appropriate), you will fill out the Google Form.
  2. If transferring permanently for other reasons, you would withdraw from the current GSD school, meet with the current counselor, and transfer to LVS before the start of a semester.
  1. Students who are enrolling as school of choice need to fill out the pre-enrollment online and to come to the Lakeshore campus to finalize enrolment.  After making an appointment, please bring the enrolling student’s original birth certificate, 3 proofs of residency, and immunization records.

  1. After enrolling in LVS, can a student return to their previous GSD school?

Yes, students can return to their previous GSD school at the end of each semester. At the high school level, it depends on credits earned overall and requires approval from the high school principal due to both schools having different credit requirements for permanent LVS students.

  1. Does the school have the ability to modify and personalize coursework to fit my child’s needs?

 Yes. Lakeshore offers universal accommodations and reviews all IEP and 504 plans.

  1. If a student graduates from Lakeshore Virtual School, what kind of diploma will they receive after completing the Michigan Merit Curriculum?

Students completing the LVS graduation requirements receive a fully endorsed high school diploma from the  Gibraltar School District. Lakeshore holds a separate graduation ceremony in the Carlson auditorium.

  1. What are the graduation requirements for Lakeshore Virtual School?

LVS requires 18 credits to graduate, following the Michigan Merit Curriculum requirements. Students must also complete all required state testing, keep a current educational development plan, and a CPR certification course.

  1. What are the 18 credits a student needs to graduate from LVS?

4 credits (8 classes) in English including English 9 A & B, English 10 A & B, English 11 A & B, English 12 A & B

4 credits (8 classes) in Math including Algebra I A & B, Geometry A & B, Algebra 2 A & B, Elective Math A & B

3 credits (6 classes) in Social Studies including US History A & B, World History A & B, Civics, Economics

3 credits (6 classes) in Science including Biology A & B, Chemistry/Physics/Physical Science A & B, Elective Science A & B

1 or 2 credits (2 or 4 classes) in Foreign Language (Must be the same language for all credits)

1 or 2 credits (2/4 classes) in Visual, Performing, & Applied Arts (VPAA)

.5 credit (1 class) in Physical Education

.5 credit (1 class) in Health

  1. Is my child too old to attend Lakeshore Virtual School?

Students can be enrolled at Lakeshore up to age 22 ( as long as their birthdate is after September 1st of that year). However, older students may have restrictions when it comes to on-site learning and social events.