WS Chronicle

The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Board of Education has given its approval to a new virtual option for students for the 2020-2021 school year. The WS/FCS Virtual Academy is designed to provide k-12 students with a personalized education option that offers flexible virtual experiences that are also innovative and rigorous. 

Dr. Angela Hairston said, “We have a robust school choice program that offers a variety of opportunities and learning environments meant to best meet the needs of all our students. This new virtual learning opportunity will add another layer to that.  It is designed to meet the needs of students and parents who desire access to rigorous and diverse learning opportunities at home.” 

Classes will be taught by WS/FCS teachers unless there is a special circumstance that requires otherwise. In those cases, a fully certified North Carolina teacher will be utilized. While the school day will be flexible, direct instructional times with teachers will be scheduled. There will also be some selective non-core courses like art and music. The academy will follow district grading guidelines. Electronic devices and hot spots will be provided for those students who need them. 

The academy will have its own attendance policy and transportation will be provided to the student’s residential school for any required state assessments. Students will be allowed to participate in extra-curricular activities at their residential school.   

The application period opened on June 1, 2020. The applications are located on the WS/FCS webpage, under Virtual Academy. The district is planning a series of informational webinars for interested staff and parents in June. 

Dr. Anissia Scales will serve as principal and lead the Virtual Academy work.