Aiken iNNOVATE Student and Parent Handbook

Please click on the title of the file above to see an overview of the policy and procedures for the Aiken iNNOVATE program.  All Aiken iNNOVATE students and parents (or home learning support person) are required to sign this form if participating in Aiken iNNOVATE.  

Parents/Guardians who select Ai as their choice for returning to school can expect to have direct instruction provided virtually by local teachers certified in the specific course and/or grade level who are 100% dedicated to online teaching and learning. Students will engage in scheduled virtual meetings, collaborative discussions, and assignments involving interactive resources that are completed at home. 

Enrolling a student in Aiken iNNOVATE will require the commitment of a student's parent/guardian to ensure that the student is successful in the fully-virtual program.  

Students receiving their education through Aiken iNNOVATE will remain fully-enrolled in their regular school, with all opportunities available to them such as extra-curricular activities, clubs, plays, graduation, etc. The student-teacher relationship is critical to all learning environments. The unique ability for ACPSD's own teachers to create, sustain and nurture relationships with our local students in a digital environment have been critical to the success of ACPSD's virtual offerings.

Due to staffing, technology allocations, and curriculum planning necessary to offer students/families a full-time virtual education option, choosing to enroll in Aiken iNNOVATE is a commitment.  Students can consider transitioning to or from the Aiken iNNOVATE program at the mid-year (end of Semester 1).

Middle School students will be assigned a local virtual teacher that holds current certification in their appropriate level. Instructional materials and resources will be delivered through Schoology, our district's Learning Management System, with links to other district supported digital learning tools. Ai teachers will provide direct instruction that includes face-to-face virtual connections and collaboration through Microsoft Office 365 and Microsoft Teams based on a daily schedule. Students will be expected to attend virtual sessions daily. Assignments will be deadline driven with distinct deadlines each week. Office hours, virtual small group or one-on-one instruction with the student's Ai teacher will also be available.

Aiken iNNOVATE is part of Aiken County Public School District's frachise partnership with VirtualSC.  Students enrolled in Aiken iNNOVATE participate in courses designed by VirtualSC or ACPSD course designers facilitated by our local, content specific, certified teachers.  Aiken iNNOVATE offers accredited courses with access to academic advisement and college planning through assigned guidance counselors from a student’s brick and mortar home school. 

Graduates earn a standard high school diploma from their home-based school accepted by colleges, universities, and other postsecondary programs. High school students will be expected to attend virtual sessions daily. Assignments will be deadline driven with distinct deadlines each week. Office hours, virtual small group or one-on-one instruction with the student's Ai teacher will also be available.