FAQs - General

What grades are offered by the Wyoming Virtual School?
WYVS will offer grades K-6 in the 2008-2009 school year.

Families interested in enrolling their students in grades 7-12 should visit the Wyoming Virtual Academy for information about this public school program.

Are there geographical enrollment restrictions?
The Wyoming Virtual School serves students in grades K-6 who are residents of Campbell County and the contiguous counties (Crook, Weston, Converse, Johnson, and Sheridan).

What subjects will my child study?
Language Arts, Math, Science, History, Art, and Music are the core courses. There will also be other courses in appropriate grade levels, such as State History and Physical Education.

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?
The program is self-paced and flexible within the parameters specified by state law.

How many of my children can I enroll in the Wyoming Virtual School?
Because the Wyoming Virtual School provides all the lesson plans and materials needed for kindergarten through grade six, many parents find it easy to enroll multiple children in the program. In many virtual schools similar to WYVS, there are families with as many as five children in the program being guided by one teaching adult in conjunction with the support of teachers.

Do I need to own a computer to attend?
No. Each family will be loaned a computer system (including desktop computer, printer, and software) to support the learning process. These computer systems are instructional property and must be returned when the student leaves the school. The Wyoming Virtual School will arrange for technical support and troubleshooting for these systems.

What computer skills are required?
The parent or coaching adult needs to have at least basic computer skills. Use of the computer is an important part of the program, but in the early grades, it is mostly the instructional assistant who interacts with the computer. The program is user-friendly.

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 on the computer. 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 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 old-fashioned books, workbooks, and instructional materials.

What does it cost to attend the Wyoming Virtual School?
Because WYVS is a public virtual school program, there is no tuition. WYVS loans students all instructional materials for the program and provides subsidized Internet access. Students and families will be responsible for providing some consumable materials, such as printer paper or ink.

What tests are required as part of the program?
WYVS's student assessment includes the following:

• K12 lesson, unit, and semester assessments
• Proficiency Assessments for Wyoming Students (PAWS)
  

Do you provide curriculum for special needs children?
Depending on a child's IEP, we can tailor our curriculum to meet your needs. To discuss your child's needs with us, call toll free 866.903.5113.

Can you accommodate the accelerated learning needs of my gifted/talented child?
The beauty of our program is that it is flexible enough to meet children where they are in any given subject and take them where they want to go. So, for example, if your fourth grader is doing math on a sixth-grade level and reading on a fourth-grade level, we can tailor your curriculum and lesson plans to meet his or her abilities. Learn more.

Since students do not go to a physical school building every day, how do they interact socially?
Throughout the year, students will be invited to participate in school outings, field trips (e.g., to historical sites, museums), picnics, and other social events. We expect local clusters of students and parents to get together on a regular basis in their areas. We also are 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 required home visits as part of the program unless you ask your teacher to come to your home, which is 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 can withdraw your child at any time.

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Try one of our other FAQ pages:
Technical FAQs
Enrollment & Attendance FAQs
Testing & Assessment FAQs