Q. What does it mean to be a full-time Pell City High School Virtual student?
A. PCHS Virtual full-time students are public school students, so they must take a full schedule, stay on pace, follow the graduation plan for the school system, and take state standardized tests and fulfill graduation requirements. In exchange, they can go on field trips, join clubs, access guidance counselor support, and eventually earn a high school diploma.
Q. What does it mean to be a co-enrolled student?
A. That means students are enrolled in a public high school and are taking some classes at school and the rest online. All co-enrolled students are encouraged to use PCHS Virtual for classes when possible. Guidance counselors can offer assistance.
Q. How many hours per day should I work?
A. Students can expect to work about 5-6 hours a week per class, which is similar to physical school time. Full-time students have the most success sticking with a consistent schedule, turning in work for every class, every week.
Q. What does it mean to “follow the district calendar"? Can I finish a class slower?
A. Once Virtual School students begin their work, they are required to finish each class by the end of the term.
Q. I thought I could go at my own pace. Can I finish a class faster?
A. Yes. Students can put as many hours into their online class as they want.
Q. I want to drop my physical school class in the middle of a semester (Oct/Nov or Mar/Apr) and take it online. Why do I need to “start the class over"?
A. Online classes do not take partial grades from physical schools. Students must complete the whole class. Online classes typically take 14-18 weeks to complete working 5 hours per week.
Q. What’s the cost?
A. Initial credit courses offered via Pell City High School is public school and is free to Pell City School System students. Credit Recovery courses may incur a fee. Please see the guidance counselor / Virtual School Director for additional information.