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CHS Virtual High School

What is Virtual High School (VHS)?

Imagine classrooms without walls, where students are able to attend their classes 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Imagine students working cooperatively online with others from a wide variety of ethnicities, backgrounds and geographic locations.

See a PowerPoint on VHS!

Virtual High School classes take place entirely over the Internet. There is no need for special software or hardware. Anywhere you have access to the Internet you can take a VHS class! Students can post work to their class anytime, day or night.

Unlike classes offered by other online course providers, all Virtual High School (VHS) classes are teacher facilitated. Class sizes are limited to 25, and there is an emphasis on interaction between teachers and students. Activities are student-centered and discussion and group activities are a part of each VHS course.

VHS classes are offered in a scheduled asynchronous mode. That means that classes follow a semester schedule and assignments are due at specified weekly intervals. However, students can complete their work at anytime during the week, as long as work is posted by specified due dates.

All VHS courses are monitored regularly, and adhere to the National Education Association's (NEA) recommended course guidelines for high quality online courses.

Why would I want to take a VHS course?

Students tell us they like Virtual High School because it allows them to engage with peers from around the globe about subjects they are truly passionate about learning.

As a Virtual High School student you will:

• Have scheduling flexibility - whenever or wherever you have Internet access you can go to class!
• Gain essential 21st century learning skills such as multimedia presentation, online collaboration and communication, and team-building
• Collaborate with students from other states and countries
• Have access to unique courses that might not be available at Chelsea High School or conflict with other classes you want to take.

How do I know if VHS is right for me?

Take the VHS Pre-Student survey. Be sure to print your survey and your results.

I am a parent/guardian. Why would I want my child to take a VHS course?

Through VHS, your child will:

• Take one or more high school classes online, entirely over the internet
• Enjoy small class sizes and low student to teacher ratios
• Engage in unique collaboration opportunities with peers from around the world
• Take advantage of the flexibility of VHS courses that can take place anywhere, anytime
• Participate in courses that are highly desired, yet are not typically offered locally.

What courses are offered?

Check out the VHS course catalog.

Am I eligible to participate in a VHS course?

Virtual High School (VHS) will be offered to the following students, in the listed order, on a first come/first served basis for the 2007-2008 school year:

• AP Physics students;
• Seniors interested in taking an AP Course at CHS but cannot due to a scheduling conflict;
• Seniors interested in taking an AP Course not offered by CHS;
• Seniors interested in taking an honors level elective at CHS but cannot due to a scheduling conflict;
• Seniors interested in taking an honors level elective not offered by CHS;
• Juniors interested in taking an AP Course at CHS but cannot due to a scheduling conflict;
• Juniors interested in taking an AP Course not offered by CHS;
• Juniors interested in taking an honors level elective at CHS but cannot due to a scheduling conflict;
• Seniors interested in taking an elective not offered at CHS; and
• Juniors interested in taking an elective not offered at CHS.

Do I need any recommendations?

Access to VHS is a matter of privilege. Students must seek the recommendation from both the Lead Teacher of the respective department in which the course would be included and from the Lead Teacher of Guidance. No student will be enrolled without such recommendations.

How do I register with VHS?

Students must have their course selection ready for VHS open enrollment in late April. There is no guarantee that any student will be enrolled in the course of their choosing. Students should have 2 alternate courses ready at enrollment time to increase their chances of gaining a seat to an online class. Students shall make their requests on a completed VHS Registration Form. This form must be given to the VHS Site Coordinator prior to April 20, 2007.

Here is a registration form for your convenience.

Who is the Site Coordinator and where can I find him?

See Mr. Cammarata in room 1077, call him at 617-889-8418 x 1077, or e-mail him at cammarataj@chelseaschools.com.

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