Flexible Online School Schedule | Washington Virtual Academies

"FLEX" is a new program designed to offer greater scheduling flexibility to students in grades K–12. Students can complete their schoolwork at any time of day—or night—that works for them.

The program is a good choice for students who are self-motivated, have engaged Learning Coaches, and/or find in-class pacing too slow. It is also a good option for working students, students who are caregivers, and student athletes and performers whose training, competition, and rehearsal schedules makes attending daily classes challenging.

How it Works

Families in the FLEX Program set their own structures and schedules for learning. FLEX students have just one mandatory Class Connect each week: a homeroom session. This weekly requirement provides an opportunity to connect with other students, and makes sure students are aware of important information and opportunities.

Rather than attending other Class Connects that are required by the teachers, FLEX students and their Learning Coaches determine their own monthly learning plan. FLEX students are expected to complete 10 percent of each year-long course every month (20 percent for semester-long classes in high school). All FLEX students have a monthly progress conference with their FLEX teacher where they share their what they have learned, reflect on how the previous month went, and look ahead to the next month. To remain in the FLEX program, students must maintain passing grades in all courses.

How does the FLEX Program differ from the standard WAVA program?

Like the FLEX Program, the standard WAVA program is open to students in K–12 but features more teacher-directed learning. Teachers in the standard program provide group instruction through online synchronous sessions called Class Connects, which students are expected to attend. The number of Class Connects varies by subject. Our standard WAVA program, which requires students to log in daily, is best-suited for students who need live instruction from their teachers as well as those who value time with their peers.

Is the curriculum the same for the FLEX and standard WAVA programs?

Yes, students complete the same curriculum in both programs, working online and with materials that are mailed to students in late August. Just like "regular" WAVA students, FLEX students access the OLS for their courses and sample schedules that they can adapt when structuring their month of learning.

How often do FLEX students receive 1-to-1 support?

The amount of support students receive depends on their needs. Dedicated FLEX teachers are available via email and phone on school days and have regularly scheduled and posted office hours each week. These are set times when teachers are in a Class Connect session, ready to answer questions from students and Learning Coaches. Think of it as coming into the teacher's classroom; they will be there in the Class Connect whether anyone joins at the beginning or not. Pop in, get what you need, and pop out. Students with IEPs receive all the services called for in their plans, including specifically designed instruction time with special education teachers.

Why might a student choose the FLEX option over our standard WAVA program?

There are many reasons why WAVA students and families opt into FLEX, but the ability to set up their own schedules for learning is the common thread.

• Some families choose FLEX to fit in other learning, like 11th and 12th graders who are taking part-time Running Start courses at their local colleges, or part-time WAVA students who are taking a course like choir, drama, or agriculture at their local brick-and-mortar school.
• Some families need FLEX because they have caregiving responsibilities, health issues, or parent or student work schedules that make it challenging to attend Class Connects and work on school assignments during the typical school hours.
• Still others are looking for flexibility that better fits their students' learning needs. It could be the time of day where the student can focus well, or that a student learns best from individual supports rather than in a larger group setting.

Can students of any age be in the FLEX Program?

Yes, FLEX is open to students in grades K–12. Space in the FLEX Program is limited. Priority will be given to students who are caregivers, employed, homeless, or who have siblings in the program.

Will students be able to pop into regular WAVA's Class Connect sessions or watch those recordings?

No. FLEX students and/or Learning Coaches should contact their FLEX teachers when they need instructional support. It's possible that FLEX teachers will offer optional Class Connects, but this is a key difference between the two options.

For example, a FLEX teacher may find that many students are asking the same questions about a unit or assignment and determine that a Class Connect is an effective way to address those questions. The Class Connect will appear as optional on the FLEX students' schedules; some students will choose to attend live, some will watch the posted recording, and others may not need that support and will not view it at all. In the standard WAVA program, students are expected to attend all live Class Connect sessions assigned by the teacher.

Will the graduation pathway for high school students change because of FLEX?

No. FLEX students in grades 9–12 have access to all the courses in the WAVA high school course catalog and are required to meet the same graduation requirements. Like high school students across the state, they must choose and complete one of the graduation pathways that meets the state's expectations. WAVA currently offers six graduation pathway options, all of which are described on page 5 of the course catalog.

Can FLEX students participate in clubs and activities?

Of course! Think of FLEX as a school inside a school. The wealth of opportunities and resources available to WAVA students are also available to FLEX students, including online activities like spelling bees, clubs, chill and chat lunches, and talent shows, as well as in-person events, like prom and field trips, when it is safe to have them.

When I register at WAVA, how do I get into the FLEX program?

Prior to being placed in the FLEX Program, the Learning Coach will meet with Rosie Bailer, the FLEX Coordinator, to make sure that FLEX is a good fit. To set up a call, please fill out the interest form or email rbailer@k12.com.

The calls start with an overview of the FLEX Program, then address questions the families may have before discussing how FLEX can work for the student's learning. Calls wrap up with a look at the next steps. Students are welcome to join these calls, which take about 15 minutes.

If the family decides they want to sign up for the program, a FLEX Agreement is emailed to the Learning Coach for them to initial, sign, and return to secure the student's space in FLEX. The Learning Coach must also complete registration or re-registration with WAVA, including their Choice Transfer Request with their local school district. Learn more about How to Enroll.

Can a student do both FLEX and standard WAVA?

No. After the FLEX conversation phone call, Learning Coaches and students will have to decide which option fits their learning needs the best: FLEX or standard WAVA. Since Class Connects are a key difference between the two options, we often ask families to consider how important the live sessions are to their students' learning. In many cases, one sibling may opt for FLEX, while another remains in regular WAVA because their learning needs are different. The fit matters!

Do FLEX students have to take state assessments?

Yes, students who are enrolled full-time in FLEX or standard WAVA are required to take state-mandated assessments, including DIBLS, MAP, and the state's SBA tests.

What should families do if they have more questions?

If you are interested in FLEX at WAVA, please complete the interest form or email Rosie Bailer, the FLEX coordinator, at rbailer@K12.com.