Thank you for your interest in Beacon Academy! Below you will find some general information that describes some basic aspects of Beacon Academy. Prior to any enrollment into Beacon Academy, the coordinator will meet with both parent/guardian and the student. In that meeting, the items touched on below will be discussed in detail, and additional information will also be shared and discussed. 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. I am happy to discuss the educational opportunities available through Beacon Academy with parents/guardians.

~Eric Wilson

Beacon Academy will be utilizing Apex Learning Virtual School platform to deliver the curriculum to its students. Apex's curriculum is aligned with KY curriculum standards, so the content covered in Apex essentially mirrors their content being taught in a traditional school setting. Additional general information about Apex can be found at their website: www.apexlearning.com

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. This requirement may be waived at the discretion of the Beacon Coordinator, depending on CoVid-19 related safety considerations. Consistent with other schools throughout the WCPS district, student and staff safety are of the utmost importance.

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 ay 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 three (3) active courses.

Every Beacon Academy student is assigned a teacher who monitors their progress, controls the learning platform functions (such as allowing students to re-take a quiz, for example), and who proctors final exams. Beacon Academy teachers also work during traditional school hours, and may, by appointment and consistent with CoVid-19 safety guidelines, provide additional student assistance, if needed.

Students who are enrolled into Beacon Academy must be successful. Success is measured three (3) 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. 3) maintaing communication with teacher.  Students unable to meet program requirements will be un-enrolled 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 a 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 the school referral, to be eligible to enroll into Beacon Academy, the student must be in good standing regarding their school attendance, grades and behavior at their brick and mortar attendance area school.

Students’ success in Beacon Academy is dependent on both the student and parent’s investment in this innovative learning environment. Parents who elect to have their child participate in the model agree to monitor academic progress and coursework. Parent and student responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Monitor student progress and contact the teacher(s) with any concerns

• Ensure student keeps pace within his/her courses and completes all assignments weekly

• Ensure student’s daily participation in classes and adherence to the daily class schedule

• Attending mandated assessment sessions on-campus. 

• Semester-long commitments

If you are a family who is currently home schooling your children and live in Warren County's School District, you could enroll your child into the WCPS Beacon Academy and receive your online instruction at no cost to you. At Beacon Academy your child will receive rigorous instruction from the Apex online instruction. Here are just a few reasons to enroll in WCPS and choose Beacon Academy:

• Rigor and accountability of classroom experience

• Shared academic time with peers and great friendships

• Difficult-to-provide classes such as science labs, art, music, PE, drama

• Access to highly qualified, licensed, dedicated, teachers

• Timely, insightful communications from WCPS certified teachers

• NO-COST curriculum

• Students enrolled in any certified KY high school are eligible for a KEES yearly GPA award. Click HERE to learn more about eligibility requirements for KEES money.

Beacon Academy is an A5 accredited school. Students enrolled at Beacon only need 22 credit hours to graduate. If students take the correct courses and follow the correct path, and with parental/guardian approval, they could graduate during their traditional Junior year of high school.