Southwest Preparatory Virtual School

The Southwest Preparatory Virtual School allows its students to do their high school courses online. Students log in to the system and work through a series of modules and internet activities for each course, finishing by coming to one of the physical campuses and passing a test for credit.

Students must follow four rules:

1) During the school week (Monday morning through Sunday evening), a student must log a minimum of twenty hours. When this work is done is largely up to the student, and the time flexibility has allowed students to do such things as carry a part-time job to support his or her family, take care of a baby, or handle pressing medical issues.

2) Students must make progress through their self-paced courses and complete a minimum of three credits each term. Students keep in close contact with the instructor in order to make sure they are preparing optimally for the test that will validate their learning and earn them credit.

3) Because face-to-face meetings are comparatively few, all students are required to develop strong communication skills using e-mail. This includes prompt replies to any questions, and working to strengthen their written expression for all aspects of their learning.

4) At the beginning of each week, students must send an e-mail message describing their academic goals for the week. This can include which pieces of a course the student intends to complete, or may be a request for a time to come in for tutoring. Students also add to the goals message their log-in times from the previous week.

These rules are described in more detail at: www.swwf.org/vsrules.htm

For maximum flexibility, a student should have easy access to a computer with internet access. Verification that a student can properly log in to the system for the minimum time each week is a requirement of the program.

The Virtual School's ever-expanding list of courses includes offerings from English, mathematics, science, and social studies. There are also opportunities to earn PE credit and to work with local colleges to enhance a high school transcript as well as build college-level experience.

While the Virtual School welcomes any interested student, certain groups have found the program of particular benefit, including:

* students with medical issues that make regular attendance at a traditional school difficult
* students who will soon have or must care for a baby
* students who must care for another family member
* students who are easily distracted in a traditional school setting
* students who must work to help support a family

To enroll, a student and a parent or guardian (when the student is younger than eighteen) must meet with an administrator of the Virtual School to discuss the online environment's applicability for that student. Those who wish to enroll should submit a completed application and provide copies of the student's birth certificate, signed social security card, immunization records, withdrawal from the previous school, and proof of Bexar County residence (typically a copy of a water or electricity bill).

Ultimately, success in the virtual school requires a student to demonstrate a positive attitude and a willingness to work hard. The Southwest Preparatory staff welcomes the opportunity to help students pursue success and invites those interested to contact the school.

For more information or to set up a time for a meeting, please contact the Virtual School principal, Rushton Hurley, at rushton.hurley@swwf.org or at 828-2161.