Beacon Academy Overview

BEACON ACADEMY

“Lighting the way for a brighter future”

Thank you for your interest in Beacon Academy! Below you will find some general information that describes some basic aspects of Beacon Academy. While Beacon Academy provides a unique learning opportunity through a comprehensive online educational experience, there are many considerations when determining what learning environment is the best fit for an individual student.

Some General Introductory Information About WCPS Beacon Academy

Beacon Academy will be utilizing APEX to deliver the curriculum to its students. APEX curriculum is aligned with KY curriculum standards, so the content covered in essentially mirrors the content being taught in a traditional school setting. Through internet access, students enrolled into Beacon Academy can do all their schoolwork from home. However, our course final exams are traditionally teacher proctored, so students have historically been required to come to a school setting to take these exams; however, for the 2022-23 school year, this requirement may perhaps be waived at the discretion of the Beacon Coordinator (parents/guardians will be further informed about this year’s process at a later time).

Beacon Academy students generally work in three (3) courses at a time. Working in three (3) courses at a time prevents a student from being overwhelmed by having "too many" courses to work on simultaneously. Enrollment into multiple courses helps students diversify their daily tasks while also allowing students who may be temporarily "stuck" on a problem in one course to work in one of their other courses until they receive help from their teacher. When a student finishes a course, he/she will be enrolled into a new course, generally maintaining 3 active courses.

Beacon Academy high school students are enrolled into the courses needed to meet the KY minimum graduation requirements (22 credits), and graduates receive a Warren County Public Schools diploma. Beacon Academy 7th graders are enrolled into classes to prepare them for the 8th grade curriculum. In turn, 8^th graders are enrolled into a variety of courses that will prepare them for the high school curriculum.

Every Beacon Academy student is assigned a teacher who monitors their progress, controls APEX functions (such as allowing students to retake a quiz, for example), and who proctors final exams. Beacon Academy teachers also work during traditional school hours, and may, by appointment, provide additional student assistance, if needed.

Students who are enrolled into Beacon Academy must be successful. Success is measured two (2) ways primarily: 1) maintaining an appropriate pace by completing work on schedule; and 2) by maintaining a passing grade in all courses, at all times. Students unable to meet program requirements will be unenrolled from Beacon Academy and placed back into their attendance-area traditional brick and mortar school.

Students who are successful in online high school programs demonstrate the ability to:

1)understand that online schooling is an special opportunity; an opportunity one should make the most of

2)read and understand content delivered in written format; able to follow written directions

3)maintain self discipline in order to ensure work is completed on schedule; develop and adhere to a routine

4)communicate effectively and in a timely manner with their teacher and program Coordinator, as needed

Prior to enrolling a student into Beacon Academy the Beacon Coordinator will require a referral from the Guidance and/or administrative staff of their brick and mortar school In addition to this school referral, to be eligible to enroll into Beacon Academy the student must be in good standing regarding their school attendance at their brick and mortar attendance area school.