FAQs - General

What grades are offered by the Community Academy Public Charter School (CAPCS) Online of Washington DC?
CAPCS Online currently offers courses for grades K-8. Please note that submitting an application with CAPCS Online does not constitute enrollment and requires additional steps before acceptance.

What subjects will my child study?
Language arts, math, science, history, music, and art are the core courses. There will also be required courses such as physical education, health, and test preparation, in the appropriate grade levels.

Does the program provide textbooks and other instructional materials?
Yes, we provide all the textbooks and instructional materials that are needed to complete the program. These books and materials are sent to students directly.

Can my child work at his or her own pace?
Absolutely. The program is self-paced and flexible, provided adequate progress is being made through the curriculum. A CAPCS Online teacher will assist in developing individual student plans.

How much time do students spend on the computer?
We expect that students will spend no more than 20 to 25 percent of their time working on the computer, especially in the early grades. We believe in a balanced approach toward education. Computers help us provide you with effective assessment, planning, and time-management tools. Computers also act as powerful learning tools that can motivate, stimulate, and inform children about the world around them. They do not, however, replace a solid education. Rather, they help facilitate one. That's why we use a unique multimedia approach that also includes a great deal of well-written and designed textbooks, workbooks, and hands-on instructional materials.

Can you meet the needs of my academically gifted child?
Yes. We use the engaging, challenging K12 curriculum, which ideally serves the needs of academically gifted students. Learn more.

What does it cost to attend CAPCS Online?
As a public school, there is no tuition for students who enroll within the district guidelines. CAPCS Online loans students a computer system and provides all instructional materials for the program. However, students and families will be responsible for providing some consumable materials (such as printer ink, paper, and materials for science experiments).

Since students do not go to a physical school building every day, how do they interact socially?
Throughout the year, students are invited to participate in school outings, field trips (e.g., to historical sites, museums, the zoo, etc.), picnics, and other social events. We expect that local clusters of students and parents will get together on a regular basis in their areas. We are also exploring new ways to interact socially using the powerful reach of the Internet. With online discussions and forums, new types of communities can be formed that are based not on geography and place but on shared interests.

Will this program intrude into my home?
There are no home visits as part of the program, unless you ask your teacher to come to your home (completely optional), and there are no cameras or any other intrusions into your home. This school was created to help your child obtain a first-class education and serve your family's needs. If you ever feel that it is not right for your family or your child, you may withdraw your child at any time.

Is this homeschooling?
CAPCS Online is a public school providing another high-quality education option for your family; it is not homeschooling. Because CAPCS Online is a public school of choice, parents who enroll their students can withdraw at any time if they are not happy with the program. We believe that families should be able to choose the program they feel is most appropriate for their child's education. CAPCS Online seeks to be one more option to help you obtain the best possible education for your children.

Are the teachers certified?
Yes. They are also Highly Qualified, energetic, and committed to the CAPCS Online mission and to serving their students and families.

What kinds of students will this online program serve?
Children looking for a challenging curriculum emphasizing both knowledge and skills
Children who are struggling academically
Children who are academically gifted
Children who have special needs or physical or learning disabilities
Children who attend unsafe or overcrowded schools
Children who are currently homeschooled
Children who are homebound
Children who are engaged in other productive endeavors (e.g., the arts, athletics, or community service) that make it difficult for them to attend class during regular school hours
Children who are self-directed learners
Children who love computers and multimedia applications
Children who move frequently due to changing family circumstances (e.g., military families)

Are parents prohibited from providing religious instruction?
No school should prohibit parents from instilling religious faith in their children. Many parents who have a child enrolled in a virtual school supplement their child's education program with religious teaching. Since ours is a public school, religious instruction is not part of the school's curriculum and will not count for school credit. However, good virtual schools teach about religion and the importance of religion in the history of the world, our country, and our heritage. That is our approach. When it comes to character and morals, we also teach children about traits such as honesty, compassion, friendship, discipline, courage, loyalty, and responsibility. Families have a great deal of freedom and flexibility in virtual schools to focus on the things that matter most to them.

Is this school a legal option?
Yes.

Can students do extracurricular activities in their resident district?
This decision is made on a district-by-district basis. The staff of CAPCS Online will be proactive in identifying extracurricular activities for students.

Do you provide curriculum for children with special needs?
Depending on your child's IEP, we should be able to tailor our curriculum to meet your child's needs. See below for additional information about rights and responsibilities regarding the education of a child on an IEP:

• Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)
• Procedural Safeguards

If you suspect that your child may have an unidentified disability, please view this document.

To discuss your child's needs with us, please contact our office at info@capcs.org and we will put you in touch with our special education team.


Didn't find the answer to your question? Try one of our other FAQ pages:
Technical FAQs
Enrollment & Attendance FAQs
Testing & Assessment FAQs