Aiken County Public Schools (ACPSD) is an experienced leader in high-quality virtual education. ACPSD is not only the state's largest VirtualSC franchise, we were also the first school District in the state to develop our own virtual program in partnership and as a franchisee of VirtualSC. Through AIKEN iNNOVATE (also referred to as Ai) our District is excited to expand our virtual offerings to include our award-winning Aiken County Virtual Academy (ACVA) for high school students by adding an option for full-time virtual learning at home for all students, kindergarten through 12th grade. 

ALL students, including those who will be enrolled in AIKEN iNNOVATE, are required to complete Student Registration. If you haven't already registered your student(s) for the 2020-2021 school year through our Parent Portal, please click on the words "STUDENT REGISTRATION" and take care of that requirement. Knowing student numbers is critical to our Back-to-School planning, PPE ordering, physical distancing efforts, etc. 

Through AIKEN iNNOVATE, ACPSD will provide an online collaborative learning environment that promotes high-quality, personalized learning. Please note that there is a deadline of Monday, July 20, to enroll in AIKEN iNNOVATE. 

If you have questions about AIKEN iNNOVATE before indicating your commitment (before Monday, July 20), please email those to InnovativePrograms@acpsd.net. And, when you are ready, please click on the words "AIKEN iNNOVATE" to complete a form for each student you wish to enroll in our full-time virtual option. 

WHAT TO EXPECT

Parents/Guardians who select Ai as their choice for returning to school can expect to have direct instruction provided virtually by local teachers certified in the specific course and/or grade level who are 100% dedicated to online teaching and learning. Students will engage in scheduled virtual meetings, collaborative discussions, and assignments involving interactive resources that are completed at home. 

Enrolling a student in AIKEN iNNOVATE will require the commitment of a student's parent/guardian to ensure that the student is successful in the fully-virtual program, especially at the elementary and middle school levels. 

Students receiving their education through AIKEN iNNOVATE will remain fully-enrolled in their regular school, with all opportunities available to them such as extra-curricular activities, clubs, plays, graduation, etc. The student-teacher relationship is critical to all learning environments. The unique ability for ACPSD's own teachers to create, sustain and nurture relationships with our local students in a digital environment have been critical to the success of ACPSD's virtual offerings.

Ai FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS 

Aiken County Virtual Academy (ACVA), our high school subsidiary of AIKEN iNNOVATE, is a franchise of VirtualSC.  Students enrolled in ACVA participate in courses designed by VirtualSC, but facilitated by our local, content specific, certified teacher specialists.  ACVA offers accredited courses with access to academic advisement and college planning through assigned guidance counselors from a student’s brick and mortar home school.  Graduates earn a standard high school diploma from their home-based school accepted by colleges, universities, and other postsecondary programs. High school students will be expected to attend virtual sessions daily. Assignments will be deadline driven with distinct deadlines each week. Office hours, virtual small group or one-on-one instruction with the student's Ai teacher will also be available. 

Ai FOR ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS 

Elementary and Middle School students will be assigned a local virtual teacher that holds current certification in their appropriate level. Instructional materials and resources will be delivered through Schoology, our district's Learning Management System, with links to other district supported digital learning tools. Ai teachers will provide direct instruction that includes face-to-face virtual connections and collaboration through Microsoft Office 365 and Microsoft Teams based on a daily schedule. Students will be epxected to attend virtual sessions daily. Assignments will be deadline driven with distinct deadlines each week. Office hours, virtual small group or one-on-one instruction with the student's Ai teacher will also be available. 

TECHNOLOGY

A laptop and internet access is necessary for virtual learning. ACPSD has placed an expedited order for student laptops. We are aware, however, that the demand for student laptops is larger than currently available supplies nationwide. Students without access to a home computer/laptop will be issued laptops first. If your student has a laptop, we ask that you please indicate that on the Enrollment Form, and allow us to issue laptops to students without devices first. 

REGISTRATION FEES & TECHNOLOGY FEES

Fees are standardized for all students (virtual and in-person). There are no additional fees to participate in AIKEN iNNOVATE.

ACPSD's (annual) Student Registration Fee is $40 for elementary students, $45 for middle school students, and $65 for high school. In addition, families issued laptops and/or internet hot spots will pay a Student Technology Fee (if applicable*). The (annual) Student Technology Fee is $50 for a household's first student +$25 for each additional student.

Laptops and hot spots (for internet access) will be provided to any AIKEN iNNOVATE student who does not have a desktop/laptop computer and/or home internet that can be utilized for virtual learning during the school day. Technology Fees are needed for technology insurance on devices and will be applicable to all ACPSD students, including those enrolled in AIKEN iNNOVATE and students grades 3-12 (who will receive a laptop for hybrid learning).

*Students/families enrolled in AIKEN iNNOVATE who do not request a laptop or hot spot for internet will not be assessed Technology Fees (and will only be responsible for Student Registration Fees).

Please note that Student Registration Fees and Technology Fees are waived for students/families in need. Families will be asked to indicate financial need for a fee waiver on the Enrollment Form. 

COMMITMENT

Due to staffing, technology allocations, and curriculum planning necessary to offer students/families a full-time virtual education option, choosing to enroll in AIKEN iNNOVATE is a semester commitment. Ai will be available to all students who choose full-time virtual learning for just a semester, and those who may decide to continue virtually for the remainder of their educational career.

ALL students, including those who will be enrolled in AIKEN iNNOVATE, are required to complete Student Registration. If you haven't already registered your student(s) for the 2020-2021 school year through our Parent Portal, please click on the words "STUDENT REGISTRATION" and take care of that requirement. Knowing student numbers is critical to our Back-to-School planning, PPE ordering, physical distancing efforts, etc. 

If you have questions about AIKEN iNNOVATE before indicating your commitment (before Monday, July 20), please email those to InnovativePrograms@acpsd.net. And, when you are ready, please click on the words "AIKEN iNNOVATE" to complete a form for each student you wish to enroll in AIKEN iNNOVATE. 

We thank you for sharing your family's virtual education decision with us and look forward to serving your student and family.