CCSD Launches New Cherokee Cyber Connections Academy

This article was originally written by Woodstock-Towne Lake Patch Local Editor Kristal Dixon.

The Cherokee County School District continues to expand its educational options to its students.

The school district recently launched its Cherokee Cyber Connection Academy (C3 Academy), which the district said in a news release is part of its Cherokee Academies initiative to expand academic choice throughout the district. 

Once it launches in August, the academy will provide students with online learning choices through various digital and virtual coursework. 

“The Cherokee County School District is known for its award-winning instructional innovation and of embracing technology, and the opening of this new Academy is the latest such endeavor,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Frank R. Petruzielo said.  “Through the C3 Academy, our students will have yet another academic choice as they advance toward graduation and their future successes.”

The Academy will initially focus on offerings at the middle and high school levels: 

High School Options

• Initial credit through Georgia Virtual School (GaVS) or other providers from the Georgia Online Clearinghouse;
• Initial credit through Apex in piloted locations;
• Credit recovery through Credit Connect at traditional high schools or the Polaris Evening Program; and,
• Blended learning combining traditional classroom instruction with digital content.

Middle School Options

• Initial credit through Georgia Virtual School (GaVS) or other providers from the Georgia Online Clearinghouse; and
• Blended learning combining traditional classroom instruction with digital content.

There is no cost for high school and middle school students to take GaVS online courses during the regular instructional day and computer access will be provided.  

Students will have a choice of options, which include combining online and traditional classes. This will allow students to create schedules customized to their needs, such as online classes for core subjects like English and math and traditional class settings for electives like Fine Arts or Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) courses.  

Students who want to take online courses in addition to a regular six-period instructional day can do so for a fee. Enrollment in GaVS classes taken on a school campus will be available on a first-come, first-served if interest exceeds the number of available computers and approved teacher-staff ratios at the school site.

Students will be able to earn credit by mastering the content through each course's completion. They must also take the End of Course Test (EOCT) in any course requiring this test.  

All GaVS courses employ an online teacher and require a final exam. Information regarding GaVS, including the courses available for the upcoming school year, can be found at http://gavirtualschool.org/.

Students must be enrolled in Cherokee County School District middle or high schools to participate in the C3 Acadmey.

Registration for classes currently available will begin at CCSD middle and high schools when counselors return on July 30 for the 2013-14 school year