How do I apply to enroll at AOI?
The application can be found on the main page of our website.
What if I am in a place that doesn't have internet, or I am out of the country for a family or other emergency?
Students must have regular access to the internet and are required to complete and submit work every week. Being outside the country for any reason or lacking internet access is not considered a valid excuse for missing work. Students who do not meet the minimum requirements for attendance may be dropped from the program.
What is the difference between independent study at AOI and independent study through the school of residence?
Each school site has a short term IDS program for students who just need a few days of independent study. AOI is a separate school for students interested in long-term independent study enrollment.
What is the difference between the hybrid and online programs?
Hybrid students attend classes on campus two days a week. Online students attend classes online two days a week through a Google Meet with their teachers. Both hybrid and online students work independently on the days that they do not have instruction with their teachers.
What is the Master Agreement and where can I find it?
As an Independent Study School, AOI is required to have all students sign a Master Agreement signed before beginning classes. This document outlines the requirements and responsibilities for the students and the school in providing an independent study learning experience. A sample of the Master Agreement can be found on the AOI website. This document is reviewed and signed at Orientation at the beginning of the school year or at Orientation the week before a student begins attending at AOI.
What is Orientation?
This is a mandatory meeting for parents and students to attend to learn about the unique nature of our site and to sign the Master Agreement. It usually takes place in the MPR on the AOI campus on the Thursday afternoon after applications have been reviewed.
How does the transfer process work?
Periodically, a committee reviews AOI applications. They review the student’s attendance, interventions, discipline, grades, transcripts, and test scores. This meeting is usually on a Friday.
Once applications have been reviewed, applicants receive a letter informing them whether they have been accepted. Students accepted into AOI are invited to the Orientation meeting on Thursday. On Friday, they disenroll from their home schools and then begin attending AOI the next Monday.
How does the transfer process work for a student with an IEP?
Applications for students with an IEP are reviewed at the student’s school site. The case carrier arranges for the IEP team to review the student’s IEP to see if AOI can be an appropriate placement for the student. If the team agrees, the student is referred to AOI and the school reaches out to the family to process the transfer.
What should my student be doing while waiting to transfer to AOI?
It is important that the student continues to attend their school of residence. AOI discourages families from using short term IDS to bridge the gap while waiting for a transfer to AOI because at times certain grade levels are full or there may be a longer interval until a meeting to consider applications. Students should remain at their school of residence until the transfer is accepted.
What is apportionment and how is attendance taken at AOI?
Attendance at AOI is kept in two ways. First, students are required to attend all of their assigned classes. AOI tracks class attendance and reports it to parents so that parents can be aware of their student’s attendance to their on campus or online classes. Online students who do not use their camera or respond to their teachers will be marked as absent for their classes.
Second, teachers use student work completion to report student attendance. This is the official attendance called apportionment is reported to the state at our official attendance for the student. A student who attends all classes in person or logs into all of their classes but does not turn in work will be reported as not having attended.
Which days do students come to campus?
On campus students are enrolled in a Monday/Thursday or Tuesday/Friday cohort. Some electives are offered on campus on Wednesdays.
What are the hours for instruction?
Our school day begins at 8:30 am every day. Students attend classes until 2:01.
When is dismissal?
Because schedules are individual, the end of the school day can be different for different students. Students who are done just before lunch may stay to have lunch on campus.
What time can I drop off my student?
Students should not be dropped off any earlier than 7:30. For K-5 and Middle School STEAM days, students should be dropped off at 8:30.
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What does concurrent enrollment mean for a 9-12 student?
High school students at AOI may still participate in the sports, clubs, and programs of their schools of residence. This means a student could be in the band, the football team, or on the cheerleading team at their comprehensive high school while attending classes at AOI. Students interested in those programs should maintain their GPA and contact the athletic director or counselor of the school where they reside for more information.
What additional support can my student get to keep up with their classes?
Hemet Unified School District provides access to a 24/7 tutoring service called Paper. In addition, teachers provide tutoring outside of classroom time. Students should contact their teachers for the dates and times of tutoring.
What AP classes are offered?
Currently, AOI offers AP Human Geography. Many AOI students interested in earning college credit enroll in classes at MSJC classes while also taking classes at AOI. For more information, please contact the counseling department.
Elementary School (Grades K-5)
Does AOI offer kindergarten classes?
AOI has an on campus kindergarten class that comes to class twice a week. There is no online kindergarten option at AOI.
What is the difference between the hybrid and online programs?
On campus teachers meet with their students twice a week (Monday/Thursday or Tuesday/Friday). They meet with their students online the other three days of the week.
Online Teachers meet with their students five days a week online. Teachers typically work with their whole class from 8:30 until lunchtime and then work with the students in small groups or individually after lunchtime.
What is the STEAM Program?
All students in grades k-5 are welcome to attend STEAM days on campus every other Wednesday. STEAM (Science, technology, engineering, art, mathematics) activities provide students a chance to work hands-on to reinforce their learning and to have time to interact with their grade level peers.
Students may arrive at 8:30 to enjoy breakfast before taking part in their STEAM activities from 9:00 to 10:15.
Reading Instruction and Literacy
How do I support reading development?
Both the Hemet Public Library and Riverside County Library System have libraries in the community. Getting a library card gives students access to both the books at their facilities as well as online access to audiobooks, ebooks, and movies. For information, go to the AOI library webpage by clicking here or visit the library websites below.
Hemet Public Library - 300 E Latham Avenue Hemet, CA 92543
San Jacinto Public Library - 595 S. San Jacinto Ave STE B San Jacinto, CA 92583
Valle Vista Public Library - 25757 Fairview Ave, Hemet, CA 92544