Essential Information About Success in FCPS Online Summer Courses
(Click each item below to learn more about student environments in an online class)
General Information
All students must have a webcam for use in Zoom for their daily synchronous class.
The FCPS Online Campus does NOT offer any self-directed courses. The Online Campus provides students with some flexibility for completing coursework.*
Students must:
- complete and submit work as scheduled each day,
- commit to spending 7.5+ hours per day on their academic course,
- attend the live class each day (class times will be announced the Friday before the start of summer school),
- take all proctored exams at the scheduled dates, times, and locations,
- have a valid, current photo ID taken within the past year—a school ID, DMV ID, passport, SIS photo, or other officially-issued ID,
- register through ACE, not in the Online Campus office.
Note: Students must attend the orientation, daily synchronous classes, and face-to-face exams. Students who cannot attend are ineligible for Summer Online courses and will be removed administratively without a refund.
Absences: Students must attend all days of summer school. Students accumulating absences—any combination of synchronous classes or work submission—equivalent to more than 2 days-worth of attendance are ineligible to earn course credit and will be administratively removed without a refund.
There are no deadline extensions. During summer, there are no retake options or flexibility in work schedule/assessment schedule.
School counselors approve course selections, not the Online Campus staff. Contact ACE with registration questions: (703) 658-1201; Ace Registration.
Learning Environment in an Online Class
Online courses take as much time as face-to-face courses.
Each day includes:
- asynchronous online lessons,
- a mandatory synchronous class,
- assignments, and
- assessments.
In an online course, students are responsible for learning. Students must be diligent and dedicated.
Students spend:
- 80-85% of their time completing lessons, assignments, and assessments.
- 15-20% of their time in the daily synchronous class.
The synchronous class has a specific, set time based on EDT. Synchronous online sessions are not lectures. They serve as blended-learning environments. Teachers assess student understanding through activities and class interactions.
All students must have a webcam for use in Zoom for their daily synchronous class.
Student's Role in Online Learning
Students are expected to engage each day in the course content by:
- taking an active approach to their learning,
- scheduling time every day to work in the online course,
- participating actively in the mandatory synchronous class,
- communicating regularly with their teacher.
Teacher's Role in Online Learning
Regular communication with the teacher is crucial to student success.
Teachers facilitate learning and support students by:
- serving as mentors and guides,
- creating and maintaining a culturally responsive classroom,
- encouraging diverse and deeper thinking,
- initiating discussions,
- assessing student progress and providing feedback,
- answering students’ questions,
- informing parents/guardians of student progress.
Online Learning Strategies for Success
Online summer courses cover the full curriculum. Each day of a Summer online course covers 1-2 units of material and equates to 9 days of the school year. Many students find success when taking a summer online course. Others may struggle if they need face-to-face contact with their teacher and peers.
Successful online students:
- prioritize their day,
- establish and maintain a study schedule (7 to 8 hours per day are recommended),
- track their assignments,
- attend the mandatory daily synchronous sessions,
- seek the teacher’s assistance when they have questions, or need clarification,
- complete and submit work on time,
- work well independently,
- complete face-to-face assessments at the mandatory scheduled times.
Questions? Contact the Online Campus 8am to 4pm Monday-Friday at (703) 503-7781 or Online Campus