How does SPS Online work?
SPS Online is an optional online program that enrolls and serve a diverse population of young children to young adults in grades K-12. Students engage in a digitally rich environment in any virtual setting they desire.
In partnership with Stride Learning Solutions, curriculum is developed by top notch educators and delivered to students through a state of the art Learning Management System. As long as the student has a computer and a reliable internet connection, they can access the coursework anywhere and at anytime with the support of a team of committed teacher/academic advisors. The curriculum aligns with state common core standards to provide students with a rigorous and highly comprehensive learning experience.
Two major benefits about SPS Online is that students can customize their education by taking online courses in their current school district/community at no cost to the student. This is not available to students if enrolling in outside online educational programs. In addition, because our program is located within your own community, enrollment into SPS Online provides the opportunity for students to access engaging, state certified, professional educators FACE-to-FACE. This ability to easily access one of our many highly-qualified staff members at any time, provides the type of relationship, guidance, and educational support that ensures a higher level of academic achievement that other online programs cannot provide.
SPS Online is an online program for full-time students ONLY. The definition of a full time student is a student that is enrolled in over half of the total number of courses offered in the traditional school per semester. A full time high school student with Springfield Public Schools is defined as a student enrolled in 5 or more courses/classes at a time. A full time middle school student is a student taking 4 or more courses/classes at a time. High school students in SPS Online can take original credit courses as well as credit recovery courses. High school students will be given a maximum of 6 courses at any given time. If the student finishes a course before the end of the grading period, and if time allows, another course can be given to the student. SPS Online middle school students will take only the 4 core academic courses (math, science, language arts, and social studies). If they would like elective courses they can concurrently enroll into their home middle school and take related arts courses there.
SPS Online Teacher/Advisor
Each SPS Online middle and high school student will be assigned to a teacher/advisor. That teacher will be the highly qualified content teacher for at least one course the student is taking as well as the teacher/advisor for that student. This support by the SPS Online teacher/advisor is also an aspect of the program that sets our program apart from other online charter options students may access. The teacher/advisor will play an integral role in the student’s education. They will not only monitor progress in all courses the student is enrolled in, they will be the student’s main point of contact, will advocate for the student, provide encouragement, build academic support plans, modify lessons providing personalized learning options, and be available for any other student support via phone, email, or face to face contact.
Face to face student support can be obtained by making an appointment with the SPS Online teacher/advisor and making arrangements to meet at Brattain Campus located at 425 10th St. Teacher/advisors will also assist in advising students with regard to courses needed as well as determining Essential Skills and Personalized Learning tasked need to be completed in preparation for graduation.
SPS Online teacher/advisors will require a bi-weekly face to face meeting with their students to consult with them regarding course progress, academic or technical issues, motivational concerns, or concerns about being on-track toward graduation. This is also an opportunity to build relationships with students since they don’t see the student on a regular basis.
Stride teachers through SPS Online Full Time
In the event that a course is not offered by an SPS Online teacher employed by Springfield Public Schools the following duties of the Stride teacher will be:
Learning Coach
The learning coach is typically a parent or guardian who works closely with his/her child as they complete the course work. The learning coach commits significant hands-on time supporting all facets of his/her child’s education. Since online students spend most of their instructional time away from the SPS Online staff, the parents and/or guardians must be active participants in their children’s education. Here are some tips for how to help your child in the online setting:
In partnership with Stride Learning Solutions, curriculum is developed by top notch educators and delivered to students through a state of the art Learning Management System. As long as the student has a computer and a reliable internet connection, they can access the coursework anywhere and at anytime with the support of a team of committed teacher/academic advisors. The curriculum aligns with state common core standards to provide students with a rigorous and highly comprehensive learning experience.
Two major benefits about SPS Online is that students can customize their education by taking online courses in their current school district/community at no cost to the student. This is not available to students if enrolling in outside online educational programs. In addition, because our program is located within your own community, enrollment into SPS Online provides the opportunity for students to access engaging, state certified, professional educators FACE-to-FACE. This ability to easily access one of our many highly-qualified staff members at any time, provides the type of relationship, guidance, and educational support that ensures a higher level of academic achievement that other online programs cannot provide.
SPS Online is an online program for full-time students ONLY. The definition of a full time student is a student that is enrolled in over half of the total number of courses offered in the traditional school per semester. A full time high school student with Springfield Public Schools is defined as a student enrolled in 5 or more courses/classes at a time. A full time middle school student is a student taking 4 or more courses/classes at a time. High school students in SPS Online can take original credit courses as well as credit recovery courses. High school students will be given a maximum of 6 courses at any given time. If the student finishes a course before the end of the grading period, and if time allows, another course can be given to the student. SPS Online middle school students will take only the 4 core academic courses (math, science, language arts, and social studies). If they would like elective courses they can concurrently enroll into their home middle school and take related arts courses there.
SPS Online Teacher/Advisor
Each SPS Online middle and high school student will be assigned to a teacher/advisor. That teacher will be the highly qualified content teacher for at least one course the student is taking as well as the teacher/advisor for that student. This support by the SPS Online teacher/advisor is also an aspect of the program that sets our program apart from other online charter options students may access. The teacher/advisor will play an integral role in the student’s education. They will not only monitor progress in all courses the student is enrolled in, they will be the student’s main point of contact, will advocate for the student, provide encouragement, build academic support plans, modify lessons providing personalized learning options, and be available for any other student support via phone, email, or face to face contact.
Face to face student support can be obtained by making an appointment with the SPS Online teacher/advisor and making arrangements to meet at Brattain Campus located at 425 10th St. Teacher/advisors will also assist in advising students with regard to courses needed as well as determining Essential Skills and Personalized Learning tasked need to be completed in preparation for graduation.
SPS Online teacher/advisors will require a bi-weekly face to face meeting with their students to consult with them regarding course progress, academic or technical issues, motivational concerns, or concerns about being on-track toward graduation. This is also an opportunity to build relationships with students since they don’t see the student on a regular basis.
Stride teachers through SPS Online Full Time
In the event that a course is not offered by an SPS Online teacher employed by Springfield Public Schools the following duties of the Stride teacher will be:
- Work with students virtually to integrate state-of-the-art instructional tools and curriculum to engage and instruct.
- Track each student’s progress and adjust individual learning plans appropriately.
- Provide one-on-one support and instruction via phone and email.
- Update parents regularly on your online progress and challenges
Learning Coach
The learning coach is typically a parent or guardian who works closely with his/her child as they complete the course work. The learning coach commits significant hands-on time supporting all facets of his/her child’s education. Since online students spend most of their instructional time away from the SPS Online staff, the parents and/or guardians must be active participants in their children’s education. Here are some tips for how to help your child in the online setting:
- Create a quiet and distraction free study area in your home for your child.
- Set your child’s online and offline study schedule.
- Set academic expectations and hold your child accountable for meeting your expectations with rewards and consequences.
- Monitor your child’s progress.
- Communicate frequently with your child’s course instructors and the SPS Online staff.