A Student's Guide to Success
The experience of taking online classes can be so different from being in a physical classroom every day. The challenges lie in making the right adjustments in your role as a student and learner. When you make this adjustment, the results of completing online classes can be extremely rewarding.
The most successful online students communicate regularly, manage time well, are self-motivated, and make a strong effort. When you take classes at VHS, you'll learn more about these traits in the orientation.
Communicate Regularly
All of your teachers and the staff at VHS are committed to helping you be successful. They will communicate with you frequently. Read and listen to their communications, and respond when necessary. When emailing, represent yourself well by using proper email format. One of the best ways to do your best is to reach out when you need help, even if you just need a motivational jump start!
Manage Time Well
One of the most important skills that an online student needs to learn is time management. Online classes do provide most students with additional flexibility and freedom. Although this is a major benefit for your online classes, it can also cause students the most problems. When students procrastinate and miss deadlines, they are also missing out on a tremendous learning opportunity, so make a schedule, check in daily, and look ahead.
Self-Motivate
You choose your attitude toward your work. When you think positively about your classes as an opportunity to learn and to be a part of a community, the work will be more rewarding.
Make a Strong Effort
You might have heard the words grit and perseverance. Grit means to grab hold of something and be determined to see it through. To persevere is to persist—when times get tough, don't give up. Take a break, talk to people, create a plan. Have some kind of strategy that works for you in order to maintain grit and perseverance.
Helping Your Student Be Successful
There are a number of ways parents and guardians can help their student foster success at the Village:
Monitoring the schedule: Course flexibility is one of the main draws to online courses, however, it can also be one of the most challenging aspects. Students should budget 60-70 minutes per day per class (Monday through Friday).
Encouraging self-advocacy: If your student is having difficulty or has a question about a course, the teacher wants to know! Please encourage your student to reach out and also to respond to communication from the course instructor when received.
Reach out to our staff: Our staff is easily accessible via email or phone, and we encourage parents/guardians to schedule an in-person visit at any point in the school year to ask questions and get guidance.
Grading at VHS
Village High School courses use a standards-referenced reporting system for grades. This means that all assignments are linked to one or more content standards, and teachers score those assignments on a 4-level proficiency scale. We believe this system is best for students because it ensures relevancy, rewards meeting learning goals (and practicing along the way), helps students and teachers focus on learning, and is consistent.
All parents receive a letter detailing the standards-referenced learning and reporting system, and each course contains that information as well.