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K12 International Academy

S T U D E N T A N D P A R E N T H A N D B O O K

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WELCOMEK12 International Academy is an accredited private institution serving students worldwide. While K12 International Academy is a fully accredited, diploma-granting school in itself, we also partner with other schools to provide opportunities for students in our part-time and full-time student models. K12 International Academy is staffed by highly qualified, state-certified teachers spanning kindergarten through grade 12 with experience and training to teach K12 courses using our own national instructional model tailored for the virtual environment.

K12 has dedicated the most experienced and qualified team members to provide extensive support for families. You’ll be well cared for through the extended efforts of your support team—composed of teachers, academic coaches, counselors, administrators, admissions advisors, registrars, enrollment consultants—and customer service and technical support representatives. All teams work collaboratively and consistently to provide the proper support and guidance students need to flourish educationally. K12 International Academy team members truly share a common passion for educating young people.

ACADEMIC CALENDAR Courses led by K12 International Academy teachers start multiple times throughout each semester. Due to the paced delivery of K12 Upper School, students must start their courses on a term start date.

Term Name Term Start Date Upper School Term End Date K–8 Term End Date

Fall Term 1 8/15/2012 1/11/2013 5/31/2013

Fall Term 2 8/29/2012 1/28/2013 6/14/2013

Fall Term 3 9/12/2012 2/11/2013 6/27/2013

Fall Term 4 9/26/2012 2/25/2013 7/11/2013

Fall Term 5 10/10/2012 3/8/2013 7/24/2013

Fall Term 6 11/7/2012 4/12/2013 8/20/2013

Spring Term 0 1/9/2013 5/28/2013 10/4/2013

Spring Term 1 1/23/2013 6/10/2013 10/21/2013

Spring Term 2 2/6/2013 6/24/2013 11/4/2013

Spring Term 3 2/20/2013 7/5/2013 11/15/2013

Spring Term 4 3/6/2013 7/19/2013 12/4/2013

Spring Term 5 3/20/2013 8/1/2013 12/17/2013

Spring Term 6 4/17/2013 8/22/2013 1/22/2014

*Term 0 is reserved for new enrollments


HOLIDAY CALENDARThe following school holidays and in-service days are observed during the 2012-2013 School year:

Labor Day September 3, 2012

Teacher In-Service* September 21, 2012

Columbus Day October 8, 2012

Teacher In-Service* October 19, 2012

Veterans Day November 12, 2012

Thanksgiving Break November 21–23, 2012

Winter Break December 20, 2012–January 2, 2013

Martin Luther King Jr. Day January 21, 2013

Teacher In-Service* February 8, 2013

Presidents’ Day February 18, 2013

Teacher In-Service* March 15, 2013

Spring Break April 1–5, 2013

Memorial Day May 27, 2013

Independence Day July 4, 2013

Students and families may observe additional holidays beyond the official K12 International Academy Holiday Calendar. Students must inform their teachers and academic coaches in advance of any additional holidays that they will be observing, so that lesson schedules and assignment due dates can be discussed. Students are required to complete all required course work by the end of the school semester and adhere to our Late Work Policy. Students are advised to work ahead if they need to take additional holidays. Students may complete school work during school holidays and in-service days, but teachers and academic coaches will not be available on those days.

FULL-TIME STUDENT OPTIONThe full-time program at K12 International Academy is tuition based and designed to meet the diverse needs of students throughout the world who seek a comprehensive online school experience and access to a wealth of private school services, such as clubs, activities, guidance services, and college advising. Students can enroll in up to six individual courses at a time, as detailed in the K12 Course Catalog, with courses ranging from kindergarten through Upper School. In addition to completing the enrollment requirements, full-time students must have successfully completed the required course prerequisites as detailed in the K12 Course Catalog. Each of these courses is led by a certified teacher. Full-time students and Learning Coaches are also assigned an academic coach to provide noninstructional support. K12 International Academy is typically the full-time student’s school of record. Full-time Upper School students are offered the opportunity to earn a K12 International Academy Upper School diploma if they successfully fulfill the school graduation requirements.

College Counseling for Full-Time StudentsStarting in the 9th grade and continuing throughout Upper School, families of full-time students have access to a comprehensive school counseling program and the support of a college counselor in the development of their academic, career, and post-secondary plans.

Students in grades 6 through 12 will also have an account on Family Connection, a comprehensive online tool to assist in post-secondary planning and career exploration. Family Connection is the premier software program to engage students, enhance


communication between the school and families, and support the “college-going culture.” More than 5,000 schools worldwide use Family Connection to support student success!

Counseling services include, but are not limited to:

– Assisting students in creating and monitoring academic, career, and college plans

– Supporting students through the entire college/university admissions process

– Presentations on college opportunities, financial aid, and academic success

– Hosting college and career fairs

– Providing individual support for student success

– Conducting a Middle School to Upper School transition program

PART-TIME STUDENT OPTIONThe part-time program at K12 International Academy is very flexible to meet the diverse needs of students throughout the world. Students can enroll in up to six individual courses at a time, as detailed in the K12 Course Catalog, with courses ranging from kindergarten through Upper School. Each of these courses is led by a teacher and, upon completion, comes with an official transcript to enable the student to earn credit at his or her primary school. Students are responsible for contacting their school for pre-approval of transferability of credits earned at K12 International Academy. Part-time enrollees enjoy the same curriculum, the same teacher support, and the same online school platform as their full-time counterparts. However, access to extracurricular activities, clubs, and college counseling services is reserved for full-time students.

STUDENT ONBOARDING PROGRAMTo facilitate a successful virtual education experience for your student, K12 International Academy has developed a Student Onboarding Program to ease students into the online learning environment and to prepare them for the start of school. The program will begin up to one week before the start of school depending on date of enrollment, after the student has successfully proceeded through the enrollment and admissions process. The onboarding process will vary depending on the student’s grade level.

Lower School (K–5)The homeroom teacher will host an open house for grades K through 5 for students and Learning Coaches to help familiarize them with the Online School (OLS) and tools associated with the program. Students will also be automatically enrolled in an Introduction to Online Learning course one week before the term begins to give the student and Learning Coach time to gain hands-on experience with the OLS.

Learning Coaches and students in grades K–5 are required to participate in scheduled virtual conferences with their K12 teacher. The conferences are conducted bi-weekly at the beginning of the year. The date and time of the scheduled conferences are arranged by the homeroom teacher and the student’s Learning Coach at a mutually agreeable time. The conference is an opportunity for Learning Coaches and/or students to voice concerns, relay good news about the student, obtain enrichment ideas, and discuss attendance and progress through the curriculum. For the teacher, the conference is also the time to discuss the student’s mastery of skills and objectives for their course(s). The conferences are vital for tracking student accomplishment of assignments and attendance. Since regular attendance is required to stay enrolled in K12 International


Academy, it is expected that students and Learning Coaches attend all scheduled conferences and provide 24-hours notice if a cancellation is required; a rescheduled conference time will be determined by the teacher. Full-time students who fail to participate in the conferences may be removed from the program or grade level retention for the academic school year.

Middle School (6–8) The Middle School academic coach will host an open house for Middle School students and Learning Coaches to help familiarize them with the OLS and tools associated with the program. Students will also be enrolled automatically in an Introduction to Online Learning course one week before the term begins to give the student and Learning Coach time to gain hands-on experience with the OLS.

Within Middle School, close communication occurs among the student/Learning Coach, the academic coach, and the Middle School subject-specific teachers. Monthly check-in calls and instant messages occur between the student and each of his/her teachers and academic coach. These monthly calls are devoted to discussing the overall progress of the student, answering questions about a particular objective or concept, gaining ideas related to enrichment, organizational techniques, and study tips, and much more.

Upper School (9–12)To facilitate a successful virtual education experience for students, K12 International Academy academic coaches help families prepare for the start of school. In the Upper School, students start their specific courses on a gradual basis over the first week of school.

On or before the first day of school, students will take a required one-day Online Learning Course to introduce them to the virtual classroom environment. The academic coach will oversee the progress and completion of this course. Students will spend the majority of their orientation time (two to four hours) working asynchronously in this course. This course provides almost all of the orientation and instruction required for both new and returning students. The course content is available for reference for the remainder of the school year. Learning Coaches are encouraged to review the Online Learning Course with their student.

On or before the first day of school, the academic coach will also host a 45-minute orientation session with students. This will be a virtual presentation on how to log in to the K12 system, expectations for the term, as well as a high-level discussion on how to use our system. All students, new and returning, must attend this orientation. Recorded sessions will be available for further review by the student and Learning Coach.

After the first day of school, your student will start his or her subject-specific courses. Although students will have access to all of their courses on their term start date, K12 International Academy teachers pace the start of each course during the first week of school to ease into the online learning experience. Some students may only be taking one course with if they are part-time, while full-time students may be taking a full load of courses.

During the first month of school, students and Learning Coaches are expected to attend a Policies and Procedures virtual session and attend their teachers’ scheduled course orientations. Recordings of the teachers’ course orientations will be posted for review. The list below details K12 International Academy’s staggered start schedule of courses during the first week; each subject-specific course equates to roughly 60–90 minutes of activity per day.

Day 1: Complete Online Learning Course

Day 2: Begin English

Day 3: Begin math; continue with English

Day 4: Begin history and world language; continue with English and math courses

Day 5: Begin science and elective; continue with English, math, history, and world language courses


LEARNING COACH RESPONSIBILITIESThe role of the Learning Coach varies in the Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools. In grades K through 5, the parent (or other responsible adult), working in conjunction with an experienced K12 International Academy teacher, serves as a Learning Coach to the student, facilitating progress through the daily lessons and working to modify the pace and schedule according to the child’s needs. A teacher is assigned to the student and communicates via K-mail, telephone, and online meetings. A suggested weekly lesson plan is provided, which updates automatically as the child progresses. The Learning Coach can vary the lesson plan to accommodate the child’s pace or abilities. For instance, some students do better when they can concentrate their math studies for a longer time per day but in fewer days per week. Other Learning Coaches use their children’s favorite subject as a reward to give the children a periodic break from tougher subjects.

In Grades 6 through 8, the Learning Coach works closely with K12 International Academy instructional staff, the academic coach, and the student. At K12 International Academy, students learn from content-specific teachers to ensure they master the more challenging concepts presented in the core subjects, such as Algebra. K12 International Academy ensures teachers are seasoned in every subject to support and provide guidance to students as they prepare to transition to Upper School.

In Grades 9 through 12, students are expected to be more accountable for their daily progress and time management. They have a subject-specific teacher for each course and an academic coach for all noninstruction assistance and mentoring. Teachers are responsible for reviewing all student work and providing instructional feedback. Teachers work together and employ a cooperative team-teaching approach. The student is expected to move at a more consistent pace with her or his “class” in each subject, though there is room for flexibility. The Learning Coach still plays an important supportive role to help the student stay on task and to help ensure the student follows through on his or her assignments—but the student is expected to begin managing his or her own time and schedule more directly.

The role of the Learning Coach can vary depending on the grade level of the student; basic responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Monitoring K-mailK-mail is our internal “e-mailing” system. The Learning Coach is cc’d on all student-based K-mails, so it’s important to check K-mail daily. School staff is only permitted to communicate through our closed internal K-mail system, IM/Skype, ClassConnect, or telephone.

Supporting Students in Course Consistency and School Staff CommunicationStudents can log in and access course work at any time of the day, 24 hours a day during their enrollment period. Students are expected to stay on pace and consistently work through all their courses on a daily basis. Teachers and academic coaches will conduct regular outreach phone calls. School staff is expected to return phone calls and K-mails within a 24-hour time frame on regular school days. Teachers hold online office hours, study halls, and ClassConnect sessions at scheduled times, students will need to log in at the scheduled time if they wish to take advantage of this interaction. Posted recording of ClassConnect sessions can also be accessed. Students and Learning Coaches are encouraged to contact teachers and academic coaches whenever they have a question, concern, or need help.

Encouraging Students to Set Up Skype AccountsWe understand that students have busy life and academic schedules. We encourage staff and students to set up the free version of Skype to use as an academic communication tool. This allows students to quickly ask questions or provide updates.


STANDARDIZED ASSESSMENT K12 International Academy does not require individual state testing; however, we assess student progress and achievement in the curriculum. We use diagnostic tools to assist in the development of an appropriate educational program for your student. These standardized tests will be administered by K12 International Academy, and results will be provided to Learning Coaches and teachers to further individualize the curriculum for the student. The following standardized tests are utilized:

Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS)Administered to students in grades K–1, DIBELS benchmark and progress monitoring assessments are used as a diagnostic tool to ensure that our students have a strong foundation in literacy. The DIBELS assessment is required and is given three times during the student’s school year. The student’s homeroom teacher will provide a detailed report of the assessment results as well as strategies that reflect the results.

Scantron Performance SeriesAdministered to full-time students in grades 2–10 in reading and mathematics, the Scantron Performance Assessment is a required computer-adaptive assessment that enables instructional staff to pinpoint proficiency levels individually and as a whole. This acts as a guide to diagnose the instructional needs and measurements of student gains across reporting periods. The Scantron Performance Assessment is administered twice each year, and records are maintained to monitor student achievement over time. Tests are administered remotely and are proctored by Learning Coaches.

UPPER SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS To graduate and receive an Upper School diploma, students must earn 24 credits in the following subject areas and be enrolled as a full-time student for at least two consecutive semesters.

English 4 credits

Math 4 credits (Algebra 1 and higher)

Science 4 credits (must include 2 lab science credits)

History & Social Sciences 4 credits

World Language 2 credits (must be 2 credits of the same language; must be a non-native, non-English language course)

Physical Education 0.5 credit

Health 0.5 credit

Electives 5 credits

Total 24 Credits

Students must complete a minimum of six (6) credits and must spend one academic year enrolled as a full-time student with K12 International Academy to be eligible for a K12 International Academy diploma. Individual exceptions will be considered for students with credits from a public school or accredited private institution with a grade of C or above in all courses, provided that the student completes one academic year as a full-time student with K12 International Academy.

A student must be FULL-TIME for their senior year (the two last semesters of a student’s senior year must be consecutive) to be eligible for a diploma.


PACING AND ATTENDANCEK12 curriculum allows students flexibility in the amount of time spent on schoolwork. K12 International Academy views student success in terms of lesson mastery, not attendance hours; however, we have found that lesson mastery requires consistent and substantial attendance. The following chart represents typical attendance hours required to achieve lesson mastery in a full, six-course load:

Grade Level Yearly Hours Suggested Weekly Hours Suggested Daily Hours

K–2 720 20 4

Grades 3–6 900 25 5

Grades 7–8 900–1,080 25–30 5–6

Students in grades 9–12 are responsible for accessing daily assignments and their calendar when they begin each of their courses. Daily assignments are provided by teachers through the learning management system. Daily assignments specify the expected activities that should be submitted within an appropriate time period to complete the course in the time allotted. Students should log in to each course daily during the academic week. Students can expect to spend 60–90 minutes per course, per day (more for Honors and AP courses).

ADVANCED PLACEMENT EXAMSAP exams are given annually and can be taken by any student. A student does not need to have taken AP courses to sit for an exam; however, students who perform well on these exams have typically taken the related AP course and done well. These are standardized exams that measure how well the students have mastered college-level coursework. Please keep in mind that AP exams are offered at certain locations. They are offered in all states in the United States but are not offered in every country. If a student is taking an AP course to take the AP exam, it is highly recommended that you contact the College Board at 888.225.5427 to see the available locations. They are available Monday–Friday, 8 am–4:45 pm (ET).


K12 International Academy School Policies

COURSE SELECTION AND TRANSFER CREDIT

Transcripts, Report Cards, and Other DocumentationProof of and success in prior coursework helps our admissions advisors determine the appropriate courses for students. As such, documents such as report cards and transcripts must be submitted as part of the enrollment process. All received documents are reviewed upon receipt and placed in the student’s file. Official school records are stored at the Registrar’s Office and will be approved or denied based on school criteria.

All relevant documentation can be sent to [email protected] or faxed to 866.728.3086.

Course PrerequisitesMany of our higher level courses require successful completion of lower level courses. For a student to enroll in a course with an established prerequisite, the student must provide documentation of successful completion/earned credit for the prerequisite. Please see the course catalog for a listing of course prerequisites.

Transfer of Credits Prior to MatriculationK12 International Academy allows the transfer of high school course credits for full-time students, provided an official transcript is submitted from the previous school. It is at K12 International Academy’s discretion as to which credits are recognized and in which subject credit is awarded.

While an unofficial credit analysis is done by the admissions advisor during enrollment to assist in course placement, full-time students hoping to transfer a high school course credit taken elsewhere will not receive an official transcript analysis and posting of transfer credit until they are fully matriculated. Official transcripts are analyzed by the Registrar’s Office, and students will receive notification of transfer credit decisions and posting of credits. Official transcripts from other institutions that have been presented for admission or evaluation become part of the student’s academic file and are not returned or copied for distribution.

Transfer Credits Taken During MatriculationOnce fully matriculated, any credits taken outside of K12 International Academy must be preapproved by administration in order to be considered as potential transfer credit. Please contact your academic coach for a Preapproval Request Form.

Transferring Credits Taken with K12 International AcademyCourse credits earned at K12 International Academy are transferrable at the discretion of the receiving school. It is the right of each school to award or deny credit transfer based on their policy. It is strongly recommended that students hoping to transfer credit to their school of record gain preapproval from that school prior to enrolling in K12 International Academy courses. Please see the Preapproval Request Form at the end of this document for more information.


Transfer/Posting of Credits Earned While HomeschoolingMany students who enroll in K12 International Academy have been homeschooled or have learned in similar nontraditional programs. In order for previous homeschool experience to be considered for transfer credit, K12 International Academy has developed the following guidelines:

– Students enrolled in K12 International Academy may be offered credit for previous homeschool or independent study courses that are consistent with the high academic standards and policies of the school. The school recognizes the value of supervised independent study to enrich students’ academic experience.

– Families should submit detailed documentation or student assessment documents as part of their request.

– K12 International Academy will carefully evaluate and assess the student’s previous homeschool or independent study work to determine how that work may be accepted as Upper School credit.

If you are considering transferring credits earned as a homeschooled student, please discuss with your admissions advisor and he or she will provide you with additional information about required documentation.

GRADING SCALES

Lower School (K–5)The K–5 program is mastery based; students will not receive letter grades in courses. At the end of the academic school year, one of the following grades will be assigned to each course on the student’s Progress Report for grades K–5:

M: Mastered An “M” indicates that the student has completed the course with the highest possible level of mastery. To receive an

“M,” students must have mastered and achieved the goals set by their K12 International Academy teacher (95%–100% completion of the curriculum).

C: Completed A “C” indicates that the student has mastered between 80%–94% of the course and is ready move on to the next course in

the subject sequence at the end of the school year.

I: Incomplete An “I” indicates that the student has not yet completed or reached the goals set for the course. The course can be carried

over to the next school year at K12 International Academy.

Middle School (6–8)K12 International Academy recognizes the need to prepare Middle School students for Upper School. As a part of the preparation process, students will receive letter grades, A, B, C, D, or F in the English, mathematics, science, history, and world language courses. Elective courses will receive a P (progressing) or N (not progressing). The grades in Middle School will be generated by two factors: 50% of the grade will come from overall progress within the course, and 50% of the grade will come from the unit assessments.


Upper School (9–12)

Percent Grade Quality Points

90–100% A 4.0

80–89% B 3.0

70–79% C 2.0

60–69% D 1.0

59% and Below F 0

AP Courses — add 1.0 quality point

Honors Courses — add 0.5 quality point

Course Credit Upper School credit is earned on a semester basis. In order for students to move to the next course level, full course credit must be earned. Although course credits are earned on a semester basis, grade-level promotions for full-time students take place annually except when a student is eligible to move from 11th to 12th grade.

Course Failure and Repeat Credit Students are permitted to retake failed courses. Failed courses will be recorded as an F on the student’s transcript, and a zero quality point will be computed for the course in determining the GPA. Courses required for graduation must be retaken and passed. Grade replacement for F grades is permitted under these circumstances:

– The course is offered, and the student enrolls in the identical course (course name and course number)

– Enrollment in the identical course occurs in the next consecutive term

– The student is only permitted once to retake a course for grade replacement. If they fail a second time, the F will be recorded on the student’s transcript. The student can take a credit recovery course if offered.

– No grade replacement offered during summer school

Credit Recovery Upper School students may take credit recovery courses only if they have previously taken and failed the course(s). Original and retaken courses will be listed on the transcript. Grade point average (GPA) is based on the total number of courses taken.

Grade Point Average GPAs are determined by dividing the number of quality points earned by the number of credits received. GPAs are only determined on a semester basis. The cumulative (composite) GPA is determined using the semester averages of all Upper School courses taken with K12 International Academy.

Determining Class Rank We do not automatically compute class rank because of our highly mobile population. Each school has different grading policies and different curriculum requirements, making` it too difficult to compare students among each other within our school.

If a class rank is required by legislation or is needed for scholarship eligibility, then students may request their class rank from their academic coach. Since it will need to be hand-calculated by our registrar, students will need to make their request early enough to allow us to prepare it to meet students’ deadlines. Class rank will be calculated only using courses taken at K12 International Academy, and the student must have been enrolled for at least two consecutive terms on a full-time basis.


PROGRESS REPORTS AND TRANSCRIPTS

Lower and Middle SchoolFormal progress reports will be issued to students twice per school year: at mid-term (90 school days) and year-end (180 school days). Students who withdraw during the school year will be issued withdrawal reports that can be used for enrolling in a future school. While progress reports will be issued twice a year, students and their Learning Coach have access to the OLS 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Upper School One of the many features afforded by the TotalView/MyInfo platform is a current report of a student’s academic progress and attendance information. A Learning Coach may log in to the system at any time and view this information. If a Learning Coach wishes to have a printed version of academic and attendance information, he/she may print a copy of the progress assessment screen in the TotalView/MyInfo account for the student. A transcript will be issued at the end of each semester. While transcripts will be issued twice a year, students and Learning Coaches have access to their grades 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Grades can be found in TotalView/MyInfo or on the learning management system for the duration of the semester.

If residing in the United States, official course transcripts will be mailed to a student’s physical address within four (4) weeks following the completion of courses. For special official or unofficial transcript requests, please contact the registrar directly at:

– E-mail: [email protected] or Fax: 866.539.8631

– External requests must include the following: student first and last name, grade level, date of birth, phone number, recipient’s name and physical address and/or e-mail address (for soft copies).

GRADE APPEALSGrade appeals must be submitted in writing to the Registrar’s Office within thirty (30) days of a term end date. Reviews will be conducted internally among academic staff/administration and the Registrar’s Office. At least one week is required for staff to review a grade appeal request and issue an official decision. Appeal requests are permitted once per student per term, and all decisions are final. Grade appeals can be submitted to [email protected] or faxed to 866.728.3086.

GRADE LEVEL ASSIGNMENT AND PROMOTIONA full-time student’s grade level is assigned based on age and/or prior course completion and is evaluated by the registrar for final consideration. The Registrar’s Office reserves the right to request and review all student academic records and any other items pertinent to making an informed grade level and promotion decision.

Lower- and Middle School-level promotion is evaluated at the end of every full year term. For full-time students in grades K–8, mid-year course promotion requests can be submitted to the teacher in writing up to eight (8) weeks before the student’s year-end date. Requests must be approved by K12 International Academy administration. Student progress, participation in conference with their teachers, submission of work samples, and attendance all are taken into account when considering the request. K12 International Academy advises Learning Coaches to maintain samples of student work to assist teachers with the decision to advance a student to the next course level (in addition to the required work samples that must be submitted to the teacher).


Upper School promotion is evaluated at the end of every spring term for full-time students. At the Upper School level, grade level promotion is based on the following accumulation of credits per grade level.

Grade Level Earned Credits

12 18 cumulative credits



COURSE COMPLETION

Assignment Due Dates —Upper SchoolStudents taking Upper School courses should view the course calendar for a list of lessons and assignments required each day for each course. It is important that students adhere to the course schedule indicated in the course calendar. Assignments during the week need to be submitted no later than that following Sunday at 11:59 pm (Eastern Time). It is highly recommended that students submit work on the actual due date. Staying on schedule is important to facilitate a collaborative learning environment for all students in each course. If a student cannot adhere to this schedule, they should familiarize themselves with and be mindful of the Late Work Policy.

Late Work Submission Upper School (Grades 9–12)It is the student’s responsibility to access and complete daily assignments as outlined in each course calendar. Due dates for assignments are posted in each course calendar to ensure students are informed of appropriate pacing. There will be a posted “last day to submit work” for each course according to the student’s term start date; no assignments will be accepted after midnight (ET) that day.

Working ahead is perfectly acceptable and preferred if a student is going to miss any days. A student is required to inform their teacher(s) and academic coach of their travel plans before a trip occurs. Special exceptions will not be considered for students who do not communicate their travel plans to school staff.

Late Work Policy

– Computer-Scored (CS) Assessments and Teacher-Graded Assignments (TGA) must be completed and submitted no later than midnight (Eastern Time) on the Sunday after the posted due date.

– Temporary zeros are entered as grades for every assignment not received by the Sunday deadline. The temporary zeros will be calculated into the overall course scores.

– Students are permitted to complete CS Assessments after the Sunday deadline and up to “the last day to submit work” for the term. Thereafter, permanent zeroes are entered as grades for all CS Assessments not received and are calculated into the final course score.

– Students are permitted to complete TGAs up to four (4) weeks after the Sunday deadline. The new grade will then replace the temporary zero in the grade book. The four-week allowance will not extend past the “the last day to submit work” for the term. Refer to the course calendar for “permanent zero” dates.

– TGAs received four (4) weeks after the due date will not be accepted or graded unless prior arrangements have been requested. Permanent zeroes are entered as grades for these assignments and for assignments not received by the permanent zero deadline.

Due-date extensions on assignments are permitted under some extenuating circumstances with advance approval from the Upper School Department Head. Extensions must be requested on a school day before the actual due date of the assignment.


Course Acceleration and Course Extension PolicyWhen choosing to take courses with K12 International Academy, students choose to enroll in a fully accredited, private online school for grades K–12. We are a school with clearly defined term start dates and end dates. However, we know that life can be unpredictable and, as such, we want to make sure that we are able to provide families with the flexibility while still providing a quality education—the hallmark of learning at K12 International Academy. For those students who need to learn outside of the established school calendar, view the following policies:

Course Acceleration RequestsUpper School courses were developed to be taught over a 90-day period. However, some students may choose to complete these courses more quickly. We allow students to request course accelerations when the student meets the following criteria:

– Must be in the course for a minimum of eight (8) weeks

– Must be current on course assignments

– Must have a “C” average or better in all active courses (exceptions may be made for Partner Program students)

Students who wish to request a course acceleration should contact their academic coach for a Course Acceleration Request Form. Because our K–8 courses were designed to be self-paced, requesting a Course Acceleration for K–8 is not required or necessary.

Course Extension RequestsStudents may find that they cannot finish their course in the allotted timeframe. In these cases, we allow students to request course extensions; however, these are reserved for those students who experience extenuating circumstances. Simply not keeping up with coursework over the course of a semester is NOT a valid reason to request a course extension. It is important to remember that to qualify for consideration, the adverse circumstances or events must be unforeseeable or unpreventable and sufficiently disruptive to have a significant adverse effect on the student’s academic performance or ability to complete assignments by the due date.

– Student must have been working in the course on a consistent basis

– Student must have a reasonable expectation of passing (>50% in the course)

– Student has never been granted a prior extension

– Student can be granted up to a maximum of ten (10) instructional days for an extension; all assignments and final exams the student is permitted to complete must be submitted on or before their extension end date

– If approved, only one extension is permitted for a student during their tenure with K12 International Academy

Circumstances or events that merit consideration may include:

– Suffering a serious illness or injury

– The death or critical/significant illness of a close family member/dependent

– A significant family crisis leading to acute stress

– A natural disaster or catastrophe

– Scheduled and approved travel with no access to Internet

– Moving


The Learning Coach and/or student must request an extension in writing in advance, on or before two (2) weeks prior to the student’s term end date. All requests submitted after this time period must be approved by school administration. Students who wish to request a course extension must contact their academic coach for a Course Extension Request Form. All course extensions must be complete before a student can move into the next level of a course and any extension request for more than ten (10) days will require additional administrative approval and may involve extra fees. If your student is enrolling in two or more courses for the next semester, their term start date for these courses will be moved to the next available term.

Illness/Extended Inability to Participate If a student is going to be out (unable to log in) for a period of three (3) or more days, their teacher (K–5) or academic coach (6–12) should be contacted in advance. They will inform appropriate staff of the expected absence. It is the responsibility of the student and Learning Coach to make arrangements with the teacher(s) regarding missing assignments. It is the preference that students, whenever possible, work ahead before a planned absence rather than falling behind and having to catch up. Work will not be waived.

COURSE CHANGES AND VOLUNTARY PROGRAM WITHDRAWAL

Full-Time Student Course Change RequestsCourse changes in grades K–12 will be made on a case-by-case basis. Students wishing to change courses within the first thirty (30) calendar days from their course start date may do so without academic penalty, provided that they followed the admissions advisor’s recommendations on course selection. After this time period, no course changes will be allowed. All course changes require the approval of K12 International Academy staff. In most cases, the student will be placed in the next term start if the course is already in progress.

Part-Time Students Course Change RequestsCourse changes for part-time students in grades K–12 are permitted in the first thirty (30) days. However, books and materials cannot be returned or refunded. Making course changes may result in the necessary purchase of additional books and materials at an additional cost to the student. In most cases, the student will be placed in the next term start if the course is already in progress. Part-time students can request a course drop or withdraw through a teacher (K–5) or an academic coach (6–12), but they must contact an enrollment consultant to add or purchase an additional course.

Dropping One or More Courses Although course changes can only be made during the first thirty (30) days of course enrollment, students can choose to drop a course until six (6) weeks prior to the course end date. If a course is dropped during the first thirty (30) days, there will be no reference to that course enrollment made on either the K–8 report card or the Upper School transcript.

However, if a course is dropped after the 30th day, but before six (6) weeks prior to the course end date, the course enrollment will be referenced on the report card or the transcript. For K–8, this will appear as a comment on their progress report while for grades 9–12, it will show as a “W” on the transcript. Course drops cannot be made during the last six (6) weeks of the term unless there are extenuating circumstances. Course drop requests made during the last six (6) weeks of the term must to be approved by K12 International Academy administration. See the table provided in the program withdrawal section below for more information.

Program WithdrawalA program withdrawal from K12 International Academy refers to discontinuing the program prior to the completion of the semester or year in which the student is enrolled. Learning Coaches of students who are withdrawing from K12 International Academy must contact their teacher (K–5) or academic coach (6–12) and notify him/her of their desire to withdraw in writing.


Withdrawals cannot be made during the last six (6) weeks of the term unless there are extenuating circumstances. Withdrawal requests made during the last six (6) weeks of the term must to be approved by K12 International Academy administration. See the table provided below for more information.

Fall 2012 Start DateLast Day to Drop/Withdraw for Refund (No W)

Last Day to Drop/Withdraw for W (9–12)

9–12 End Date

Last Day to Drop/Withdraw for W (K–8)

K–8 End Date

30 calendar days AFTER start date

30 instructional days PRIOR to end date

90-day term30 instructional days PRIOR to end date

180-day term

Term 1 8/15/2012 9/14/2012 11/13/2012 1/11/2013 4/18/2013 5/31/2013

Term 2 8/29/2012 9/28/2012 11/30/2012 1/28/2013 5/2/2013 6/14/2013

Term 3 9/12/2012 10/12/2012 12/13/2012 2/11/2013 5/15/2013 6/27/2013

Term 4 9/26/2012 10/26/2012 1/9/2013 2/25/2013 5/29/2013 7/11/2013

Term 5 10/10/2012 11/9/2012 1/23/2013 3/8/2013 6/11/2013 7/24/2013

Term 6 11/7/2012 12/7/2012 2/21/2013 4/12/2013 7/9/2013 8/20/2013

Fall 2012 Start DateLast Day to Drop/Withdraw for Refund (No W)

Last Day to Drop/Withdraw for W (9–12)

9–12 End Date

Last Day to Drop/Withdraw for W (K–8)

K–8 End Date

30 calendar days AFTER start date

30 instructional days PRIOR to end date

90-day term30 instructional days PRIOR to end date

180-day term

Term 0 1/9/2013 2/8/2013 4/15/2013 5/28/2013 8/21/2013 10/4/2013

Term 1 1/23/2013 2/22/2013 4/26/2013 6/10/2013 9/4/2013 10/21/2013

Term 2 2/6/2013 3/8/2013 5/10/2013 6/24/2013 9/18/2013 11/4/2013

Term 3 2/20/2013 3/22/2013 5/22/2013 7/5/2013 10/1/2013 11/15/2013

Term 4 3/6/2013 4/5/2013 6/6/2013 7/19/2013 10/16/2013 12/4/2013

Term 5 3/20/2013 4/19/2013 6/19/2013 8/1/2013 10/30/2013 12/17/2013

Term 6 4/17/2013 5/17/2013 7/11/2013 8/22/2013 11/21/2013 1/22/2014

Refund Policy Refunds are ONLY available for tuition that has been paid in full. In order to be eligible for a refund, a parent or guardian must provide written notification to K12 International Academy requesting to drop a course or to withdraw the child from the school. It is also recommended that the student’s teacher or academic coach is contacted to discuss the reason for the course drop or program withdrawal. Refunds are calculated based on the withdrawal date, which is the postmark and/or electronic imprint date on the written notification. Specific information on the percent of tuition available for a refund is outlined below:


Course Drop Refund Polic—Summer Courses

Transaction Type Student Type Payment Type Prior to Term Start Day 1–Day 5 of Term After Day 5 of Term*

Course Drop Part time Paid in full 100% 50% 0%

* Summer course drops are not permitted during the final five (5) instructional days of a term.

Course Drop Refund Policy—Semester (Nonsummer) and Full-Year Courses

Transaction Type Student Type Payment Type Prior to Term Start Day 1–Day 30 of Term After Day 30 of Term**

Course Drop Part time Paid in full 100% 50% 0%

** Course drops are not permitted during the final thirty (30) instructional days of a term.

Program Withdrawal Refund Policy

Transaction Type

Student Type Payment Type Prior to Term Start

Day 1–Day 30 of Term

Day 31–Day 90 of Term***

After Day 90 of Term (K–8 courses only)***

Program Withdrawal

Full time Paid in full 100% (Materials NOT shipped) 50%

0% 0% 0%

75% (Materials shipped)

*** Program withdrawals are not permitted during the final thirty (30) instructional days of a term.

Suspension of Payment Plan No refunds are available for students who are on a payment plan. However, withdrawing students who are on a payment plan with K12 International Academy may be eligible to have future payment obligations cancelled. In order to be eligible, a parent or guardian must provide written notification to K12 International Academy requesting to withdraw the child from the school. It is also recommended that the student’s teacher or academic coach is contacted to discuss the reason for the program withdrawal. The future payment obligations are calculated based on the withdrawal date, which is the postmark and/or electronic imprint date on the written notification. Specific information is outlined below:

Program Withdrawal Suspension of Payment Plan

Transaction Type

Student Type

Payment Type

Prior to Term Start

Day 1–Day 30 of Term

Day 31–Day 90 of Term***

After Day 90 of Term (K–8 courses only)***

Program Withdrawal

Full time Payment plan

All monthly payments due are cancelled

First monthly payment remains due—all subsequent monthly payments are cancelled

A total of 5 monthly payments are due—all additional monthly payments are cancelled

A total of 10 monthly payments are due—all additional monthly payments are cancelled

*** Program withdrawals are not permitted during the final thirty (30) instructional days of a term.


INVOLUNTARY PROGRAM WITHDRAWAL

TruancyFor students to be successful at K12 International Academy, they need to be fully engaged in learning. We define truancy as when a student is inactive for more than ten (10) days in their course(s). This inactivity could manifest in multiple ways:

– Failure to make required classroom discussion posts

– Failure to complete lessons or assignments as posted in daily schedule

– Failure to communicate with teachers and other K12 International Academy staff

– Failure to log in or failure to work within the window once logged in

If a student exhibits signs of truancy, the teacher and/or academic coach will make multiple attempts to reach out to the student and Learning Coach. If the student and/or Learning Coach are still unresponsive, a final truancy warning letter will be sent. If the student and/or Learning Coach do not respond to this letter, an official truancy letter will be sent, and the student will be administratively withdrawn from all courses and the program.

Financial DelinquencyFinancial delinquency occurs when a monthly payment is not received for a full-time student. A delinquent family will be notified of the default in payment from the K12 International Academy billing department. Families are expected to respond and provide payment immediately to avoid additional consequence. After the second missed payment, the student will be locked out of their courses until payment is received. After thirty (30) days of locked curriculum and no payment, the student will be administratively withdrawn from their courses (with no credit awarded) and withdrawn from K12 International Academy.

STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT K12 strives to maintain a positive learning environment where students, families, teachers, and staff are treated with respect and where they respect the personal rights and property of others. All staff members are expected to meet key standards of work performance: achieving committed goals, meeting deadlines, having a positive effect on others, and continuously seeking ways to enhance and improve the school. Students and families are expected to contribute likewise to create the most effective educational environment possible.

Students enrolled in K12 International Academy should be aware of the following guidelines and expectations. Any activity that is not listed here that violates local or country laws is considered a violation of the Student Code of Conduct and Terms of Use.

Failure to follow these guidelines could result in the following:

– Removal of student access to K12 International Academy instructional computing resources, which could result in the student’s inability to complete learning activities

– Suspension or expulsion from K12 International Academy and loss of paid tuition

– Involvement with law enforcement agencies and possible legal action


Academic Integrity, Plagiarism, and CheatingAll work submitted is assumed to have been completed only by the individual student. Students are responsible for observing the standards on plagiarism, cheating, and properly crediting all sources used during the composition of work. Students who fail to abide by these standards will be reported to the appropriate administrative authorities, which may result in a conference with the Learning Coach, loss of credit for Upper School courses, revoked access to course(s), and suspension or expulsion from K12 International Academy.

Dictionary.com defines plagiarism as follows:

pla·gia·rism [pley-juh-riz-uh m, -jee-uh-riz-] noun

1. the unauthorized use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one’s own original work.

2. something used and represented in this manner.

plagiarism. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged. Retrieved August 14, 2012, from Dictionary.com. Available at: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/plagiarism.

At the discretion of the instructor and administration, depending on the nature of the offense, the student’s grade or ability to earn credit for the course may be affected. All students who violate the principles of academic integrity will be reprimanded according to the following guidelines:

The first offense will be handled between the teacher and the student; the teacher will provide additional instruction as to what constitutes plagiarism and/or cheating, and the student will receive a zero on the assignment. The academic coach will be informed. Depending on the severity of the infraction, the student may have an opportunity to make up the assignment at the discretion of the teacher.

A second offense will result in a phone call to parents/guardians with an escalation to the student’s academic coach and school administration, as well as a zero on the assignment, with no opportunity to make up the work.

A third infraction will result in a meeting with the school administration. Students will not have an opportunity to make up questionable work. A grade of zero will be issued. Further action may be taken as needed following the discipline policy.

In the case of a fourth infraction, the student will be removed from all K12 International Academy courses with loss of credit and denied readmission.

ExamGuard and TurnItIn are important tools to ensure academic integrity in our program. The software programs help to prevent cheating for some written assignments and tests. Prior to submitting a written assignment or taking an assessment, you may be prompted to install and/or use academic integrity software on your computer. You will be required to install this piece of software before continuing on to take the assessment. Once you access the test, you will be unable to copy, paste, or open new browser windows or programs during the assessment. If you have trouble, contact K12 Customer Care for assistance. Contact us immediately if Customer Care cannot resolve your issue

Student AccountabilityStudents must use their own login names and passwords and must not share these with anyone. They are responsible for all activity associated with their login names and passwords. Students may not interfere with other users’ ability to access K12 International Academy or disclose anyone’s password or allow them to use another user’s account. Students must not publicly post their personal contact information (address and phone number), personal messages, websites or blogs, material that is intended for personal gain or profit, audio files or compressed video, any noninstructional files or any material not approved by K12 International Academy administration. Unauthorized access to the school’s website is strictly prohibited.


Use of Copyrighted Materials All course materials are copyrighted and provided for use exclusively to enrolled students. Enrolled students may print or photocopy material from the website for their own use. Use by or distribution to others is prohibited unless expressly noted. Unauthorized copying or distribution may result in revoked access to course(s).

Users shall not upload, download, transmit, or post copyrighted software or copyrighted materials or materials protected by trade secrets or other protections using K12 International Academy computer resources. This includes copyrighted graphics of cartoon characters or other materials that may appear to be noncopyright protected.

Inappropriate Behavior Inappropriate behavior includes the following:

– Insults or attacks of any kind against another person

– Use of obscene, degrading, or profane language

– Harassment, continually posting unwelcomed messages to another person, or use of threats

– Posting material that is obscene or defamatory or that is intended to annoy, harass, or intimidate another person. This includes distributing spam mail, chain e-mail, viruses, or other intentionally destructive content.

– Knowingly and intentionally reporting or giving false or misleading information, either oral or written, which may injure another person’s character or reputation or disrupt the orderly process of the school

– Intentionally destroying, damaging, defacing, or stealing records or property (whether physical or electronic) owned by the school or school staff

– Exhibiting lewd, indecent, or obscene behavior and/or activity, either in person or online

– Bringing weapons, firearms, explosives, alcohol, or illegal drugs/substances to any school property or to a school-sponsored event/activity

– Any conduct that disrupts the education process

Student Internet Safety Students must not reveal on the Internet personal information about themselves or others. For example, students should not reveal their name, home address, telephone number, or display photographs of himself/herself or others to persons outside of K12 International Academy.

Students cannot agree to meet in person anyone they have met only on the Internet and who is not affiliated with K12 International Academy. First meetings with K12 International Academy affiliated students should be at school-sponsored events.

Students must not reveal direct reference to any personal webpages (URLs) that are unaffiliated with K12 International Academy.


Bullying Bullying is defined as a person who willfully and repeatedly exercises power or control over another with hostile or malicious intent (i.e., repeated oppression, physical or psychological, of a less powerful individual by a more powerful individual or group). Acts of bullying can be physical, verbal, and/or psychological and are in violation of the school’s Standards of Conduct.

– Verbal: taunting, making fun of, malicious teasing, insulting, name-calling, making threats

– Psychological: spreading rumors, manipulating social relationships, coercion, or engaging in social exclusion/shunning, extortion, or intimidation

– Physical: hitting, kicking, spitting, pushing, pulling, taking and/or damaging personal belongings or extorting money, blocking or impeding student movement, unwelcomed physical contact

Harassment ReportingIf a student is harassed in the school environment, it is important to report the harassment immediately to a teacher, administrator, or academic coach. Harassment comes in many forms, including spam (unsolicited e-mails not pertaining to the course), threatening communications, and offensive communications of any kind.

Objectionable Materials Policy There may be times that a Learning Coach/mentor finds certain lessons, books, or materials objectionable for various reasons. If a Learning Coach/mentor finds objectionable material, he/she should contact their teacher via K-mail. Teachers will listen to the concern and determine if an alternate lesson/plan is necessary to meet the lesson objectives. The assessment for the lesson must be completed to show that the objectives have been met. Learning Coach/mentors should also contact K12 directly using the feedback option of the OLS.

School-sponsored Publications and ProductionsK12 International Academy may sponsor student publications and productions as a means by which students can learn, under adult direction, the skills required for such activities as well as the rights and responsibilities of public expression in a free society.

“Publications” may include any audio, visual, virtual, or written materials such as tapes, banners, films, pamphlets, notices, newspapers, books, or other similar materials.

“Productions” may include theatrical performances as well as speeches, skits, and impromptu dramatic presentations, whether live or presented virtually.

The school administration reserves the right to exercise editorial control over school-sponsored publications or productions or to prohibit such publications or productions in their entirety if deemed necessary.


K12 INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY INDEMNIFICATION PROVISION K12 International Academy assumes no responsibility for:

– Information obtained via the Internet, which may be illegal, defamatory, inaccurate, or offensive.

– Any claims, losses, damages, costs, or other obligations arising from the use of instructional computing resources.

– The accuracy or quality of the information obtained through user access. Any statement, accessible on the computer network or the Internet, is understood to be the author’s individual point of view and not that of K12 International Academy, its affiliates, or its employees.

– Damages to the user’s computer system.

Nothing in this policy negates any obligation the student and Learning Coach/mentor have to use the instructional computing recourses as required in the K12 Terms of Use that the Learning Coach/mentor or guardian signed as part of the student’s enrollment packet. In the event that this code conflicts with the Terms of Use, the Terms of Use shall prevail.


REQUIRED SIGNATURE PAGE

Dear Learning Coaches and Students:

You have just reviewed the K12 International Academy Student and Parent Handbook.

We have attempted to cover all the important rules, requirements, and procedures for which you are responsible during this school year. Your success at K12 International Academyis equal to your effort and desire. Please sign and return the bottom section of this page to the K12 International Academy office listed below within thirty (30) days of your enrollment.

(This bottom section must be returned to K12 International Academy.)

We have read and reviewed the K12 International Academy Student/Learning Coach/mentor Handbook. In signing, we indicate an awareness and understanding of the school practices and procedures set forth herein.

Student Signature Date

Student Printed Name

Learning Coach Signature Date

Learning Coach Printed Name

Sign and return to:

EUROPEP +41 (0) 31 528 0106

UK P +44 (0) 20 331 84 199

TOLL FREE (in Switzerland) 0800 44 66 55

F +41 (0) 31 560 4602

E [email protected]

ARABIAN GULFP +971 4 440 1212

F +971 4 426 4728

E [email protected]

OTHER COUNTRIESP +703.436.3316

E [email protected]

ASIA/SINGAPOREP +65 3158 1367

F +65 6233 0340

E [email protected]

NORTH AMERICA SOUTH AMERICA P 877.512.7748

E [email protected]


PLACEMENT WAIVER FORM

Dear Parent/Guardian or Learning Coach,

The following is a placement waiver form that is to be signed and returned upon receipt. This form documents that courses

outside of the recommendation of the school have been requested. Should the student need a placement change during the

first thirty (30) days of the course(s), the cost of shipping and materials will be the responsibility of the parent. K12 International

Academy will not be responsible for any transferred credits due to course selection. Thank you for your cooperation, and we

look forward to serving your student’s educational needs.

Student Name

Parent/Guardian Signature

Learning Coach Signature

Sincerely,



PREAPPROVAL FORM FOR COURSES TAKEN OUTSIDE OF K12 INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY

Instructions:1. Complete this form with the courses you would like to take from the below-described educational institution/provider and

submit to K12 International Academy. Indicate your anticipated start date, semester/course length, and projected time spent in the course.

2. Submit this form along with the school/institution’s detailed course description and/or scope and sequence. Approval for courses will be considered on a case-by-case basis and is not guaranteed.

Student Last Name First Name Middle Name E-mail Address

School Name Website Phone Number

Address City State Country Zip

List Courses:

Example: MTH112 Pre-Algebra May 29, 2009 2 Semesters

Course Code Course Title Start Date Number of Semesters

Course Code CourseTitle Start Date Number of Semesters



For Guidance Counselor/Registrar Use Only

c Approved: Credit units to be granted c Denied: Reason c Postponed: Reason

Additional Notes:– Following completion of your course, K12 International Academy will issue an official certificate of completion with your final

grade(s) shown, which you can then submit to your school or district.

– Upper School courses are either one semester or two semesters in length. Semesters are based on 90 days of instruction.

– Upper School courses are instructor led and a grade is conferred at the end of each semester.

– Please contact K12 International Academy with any questions regarding academics or curriculum.


REQUEST FORM FOR OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT

K12 International Academy2300 Corporate Park DriveHerndon, VA 20171P 703.483.7182F 703.483.7330

A parent/guardian signature is required for students under the age of 18 prior to our release of this form. This information cannot be processed via e-mail. You must mail or fax this form to our office. Incomplete forms will not be processed. Please allow ten (10) business days for requested transcripts to be processed. Please make transcript requests in advance of established deadlines to ensure delivery in a timely fashion.

Student Name (please print) Dates of Attendance

Parent/Guardian Name (please print)

Student Date of Birth Home Phone

Home Mailing Address

I give permission to K12 International Academy to release total transcripts to my home address.

Please send transcripts to the following school(s) or institutions:

1. Name of school or entity

Mailing Address

Attention of/ phone number

Please send transcripts to the following school(s) or institutions:

2. Name of school or entity

Mailing Address

Attention of/ phone number

Parent or Guardian Signature Required

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