How many ELOs can a student participate in during 1 school year?
According to our school handbook and policies students are allowed to participate in 1 ELO per school year, adding up to a total of 4 ELOs throughout the course of a student's high school career. If a student is interested in participating in multiple ELOs in 1 year, the student must have had a successful experience with an ELO prior and/or get permission from the school principal. Students should also be aware that ELOs count as an alternative pathway, so if students have also taken Edgenuity classes or VLACS they may want to schedule a meeting with their school counselor to review the number of credits they've earned through alternative pathways, as these have a limit as well. In conclusion, if the student is a senior and is requesting multiple ELO credits in order to graduate, there may need to be a meeting between the student, ELO Coordinator, School Counselor, and Principal to review expectations and back-up plans if the ELO falls through and therefore the student is at risk of not graduating.
Are ELOs credit bearing?
Yes! You can earn elective or core academic credit through an ELO. If the credit is for a core academic class the student is required to have course competencies in that subject matter as part of their ELO assessment, as well as have an HQT Lead Teacher in that subject area. ELO credits can range from .25 to 1 credit. If a student is participating in a Micro ELO, at maximum, they can earn up to .25 credit if they participate in a Job Shadow and complete the required ELO program competencies. This quarter credit would be for elective credit only.
What is the Application Window and why do we have one?
There is an application window strictly for the purposes of timing and your transcript. If you would like your ELO to be on your transcript for the current school year, you must apply to the program within the window. If you are interested in completing your ELO over the summer or would like it to carry over into the following school year, you may apply outside of the application window.
Is there a maximum number of students who can participate in the program at a time?
Yes. The ELO Coordinator at WRHS is part-time. In order to keep the program rigorous, personalized, and meeting the expectations of the district and the student, there are a maximum of 25 active ELO projects at a time. This includes Micro ELOs. Once spots open up, students interested in the program will be notified.
Can the family get involved with any part of the process or even be a mentor or community partner?
We love when families support their child to achieve their best, but we ask for your support in the following areas and in ways that are developmentally appropriate. We also encourage students to take internships, build community partnerships, and work with mentors outside of their family. It is important to the integrity of the program that we assist students in making connections with their community, and that means building the bridges from home to school to community. Here are some ways that you can help your child while they're participating in the ELO program:
Checking in daily or weekly with your child about how the ELO process is going.
Asking to read or take a look at their reflections to get an inside scoop!
Asking to see pictures or evidence of their work from their internships.
If they're interning at a local business, go visit! Support our local businesses and partnerships.
Listen.
Assisting with transportation as needed.
Assisting with finding a community partner or mentor if we're struggling to make a connection with a business.
Be engaged in your child's preparation for their finals. Be the audience for a practice presentation, read over the 2-page reflection, or assist with the brainstorming of their final product.
Be present and supportive at the ELO Final Presentation.
Do ELOs impact my GPA?
ELO's are Pass/Fail. However, to mirror what is stated in our district policies, it is a choice a student can pursue. If a student is interested in their ELO counting towards their GPA they must establish this prior to the ELO starting. The student must participate in a meeting with their School Counselor, ELO Coordinator, HQT Lead Teacher in the Targeted Subject Area, and an Administrator. Clear rubrics, competencies, and expectations must be in place as just a starting point.
How are ELOs reflected on my Transcript?
ELOs appear on the student's transcript at the END of the academic year they complete and pass their final presentation in. ELOs are not listed with the other classes or courses on the transcript. ELOs are listed towards the bottom of the transcript as an "Extended Learning Opportunity: _______________________" with the topic or subject matter next to it and the credit the student earned. If a student works on an ELO in the Spring of 2025, but does not finish until October of 2026, that ELO would ONLY be recorded on the transcript for the 2025-2026 school year, because that is the school year it was completed in.
Does my progress in my ELO get reported out on PowerSchool?
ELOs do not operate like other courses at WRHS; they are completely separate. ELOs are run and assessed in a variety of ways, but mostly it is through a personalized Google Classroom. All progress monitoring is run through the work in the Google Classroom in partnership with internship or job shadow responsibilities, meetings with the ELO coordinator, observations, and checkpoints. ELOs are pass/fail. ELOs also operate on separate timelines as they do not coincide with quarters or semester deadlines. The only deadline an ELO has is when grades close in June.
What is the ELO Final and do I have to do all 3 parts?
The ELO final consists of 3 parts: 1.) A 2 page (minimum) reflection. 2.) Creation of a final product that may connect to the community in some way. 3.) A presentation of learning. Yes, to complete the ELO the student must meet the competencies for all 3 parts of the ELO Final. All items will be turned in via the Google Classroom and presented to a small panel/audience during the month of May, on a date pre-set by the student and their ELO team. Panel/audience members include: ELO Coordinator, Lead Teacher, School Counselor, School Administrator(s), and the Community Mentor/Partner. Optional audience members include: Peer Advocates, Family Members, and/or additional School Faculty.
Why are all finals assigned before the April Vacation? What if I start my ELO in May?
All finals are assigned a week before the April Vacation so that students have time to work on their 3-part final during the week off. All presentations are scheduled for the month of May so that students have the last few weeks of school to focus on their core classes, or if they are seniors, have time to enjoy and celebrate the end of their high school career. Lastly, if a student is starting their ELO in May, they will not be presenting and completing their ELO until the following school year.
What is a Lead Teacher and why does every ELO need one?
A Lead Teacher is a key member of your ELO support team. Your Lead Teacher coaches and guides you as you navigate your learning path because they are Highly Qualified in your desired area of study. They help to design your path of study and apply the knowledge you're gaining in a variety of ways. Your Lead Teacher is also, usually, someone that you have a positive relationship with already, so you are comfortable setting up meetings with them, advocating for yourself, receiving feedback, and asking for help. They are responsible for assessing your work to ensure that it meets the competencies you have set to achieve through your ELO. By assessing your work, we ensure that you have met the competencies in your targeted area of study at the same level as you would in a classroom - you've just chosen to take a more personalized path to do so.