What is 360 Academy of Careers and Innovation?
Middle school is a challenging time for students. The juxtaposition of social development, increasingly rigorous coursework, and a busy extracurricular schedule often interrupts a traditional educational experience for young adolescents. Many parents search out different learning opportunities to meet their child’s needs. Virtual learning is one solution, but the loss of social connectivity at this critical developmental time creates other issues.
SDPC’s 360 Academy of Careers and Innovation is a choice program for students that is recognized as a hybrid learning model because students learn both virtually and in-person.
What Does Virtual Learning Look Like in 360 Academy?
Students in 360 Academy take core courses as well as electives like PE, Exploring World Languages in South Carolina, IT Fundamentals, and others. These courses are housed in a Learning Management System (LMS). Almost all 360 Academy coursework is a part of a franchise agreement between VirtualSC and the School District of Pickens County (SDPC). Physical Education is one of the elective courses that is built in Schoology. These courses are aligned with current SC Curriculum Standards and are developed by a curriculum writing team. The courses are taught by 360 Academy and Pickens County Virtual Academy teachers who are SC certified and employed by SDPC. They’re dedicated to teaching in this program and are available for students during the school day for extra help, instruction, and questions.
360 Academy primarily uses an asynchronous delivery of instruction. The courses include lessons, practice, assessments, projects, and labs where students work independently at their own pace to accomplish the task. Teachers are available to provide academic feedback and personalized interventions for students who need help.
Additionally, there are synchronous elements to the virtual instruction. Synchronous learning takes place one day a week for all students. Students meet with advisors online at a designated time to review what is coming up for the week, learn about a special topic, and interact with peers. This meeting typically takes place on Mondays at 10 AM. Students with an IEP or ILAP may receive specialized instruction in a synchronous learning environment. Finally, teachers may use synchronous time to bring students together online to work in small groups to complete assignments or to provide intervention for a group of students sharing the same challenge with an upcoming task or previous assignment.
What does in-person learning look like in 360 Academy?
The semester begins with in-person days that focus on navigating the program. These jump start days allow students to use the courseware and ask questions. Students learn how to use their resources such as their week-at-a-glance, their email system, the VirtualSC dashboard, their courses, and much more during these very important days.
Students who join the program after these days are held come in-person for an abbreviated onboarding meeting with teachers and their parents and practice some of the same skills at that time.
One day a week, a group of students comes in-person for learning. Currently, that day is Thursday. There is an alternating schedule that identifies a different group of students who comes each week. Many times it is by grade level, but once a month all grades come together for a multi-age day.
During in-person learning, students receive planned instruction on a current standard from their coursework. If a big project is coming up, the teacher frontloads the project with instruction that will help students be successful in completing the task.
Additionally, in-person days provide the opportunity for students to interact with robots, use virtual reality headsets for math and science exploration, visit the school library for learning and to check out books, participate in recess with peers, and eat in the school cafeteria.
One final way students experience in-person learning is through related arts or electives that are in-person. Students often choose to continue enrollment in band, art, chorus or other in-person related arts at their home schools. Additionally, our students are eligible to take courses in-person at G2i (Gateway to Innovation) or the Pickens County Career and Technology Center. Students interested in these opportunities should schedule them through their school counselors.
How do I learn more?
Parents are encouraged to explore our website, investigate our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram, or call for more information.
When can I apply?
Applications are open March – August for the upcoming school year. Additionally, students may apply for a 2nd semester start when that application opens November - January. Because there may be special circumstances to consider an enrollment outside of these application windows, school counselors are able to talk with parents about the possibility of an exception.
What’s next?
If you are interested in 360 Academy for your student, talk with your school counselor. That person is best-equipped to guide you through the application and the enrollment process for the next time enrollment opens.