Districtwide Virtual Courses

All of our virtual courses are taught synchronously by SPPS teachers and are available to all SPPS secondary students. Students in virtual courses will go to class through Google Meet with their peers across the district during the 1st or 4th block. Synchronous virtual courses will include live instruction and discussions as well as independent or small group work time during each block. Students will experience the same level of rigor and amount of content as in-person students but designed using best practices for virtual learning by SPPS teachers. The virtual courses include Indigenous and world languages as well as multiple electives. Students are able to take 1-2 virtual courses; the rest of their school day will be in-person classes. These courses are dependent on student interest; if too few students request a synchronous virtual course, students will be placed in one of their alternate course requests.

Virtual Courses At-A-Glance

• They are synchronous and as similar to regular in-person classes as possible. 

• Students are logged in to a Google Meet with their teacher and classmates during every class. During class, there will be a mix of live instruction and independent/small group work time.

• Students are in their school building during their virtual class.

• The workload for virtual courses is the same as for in-person classes.

• Some of these courses are very competitive; there is a chance you will only get this class if student requests are within course capacity.

Asynchronous 12th Grade Courses

Starting in 2023-24, SPPS will offer virtual asynchronous versions of 12th-grade courses required for graduation. Course offerings include English 12, U.S. Government, and Economics. Each class is taught by an SPPS teacher with office hours on Google Meet. This opportunity will meet the needs of seniors with significant scheduling challenges. Students should consider these courses if they spend most of their day in PSEO, at an internship, or the Career Pathway Center. Students who want to be full-time virtual learners or have a late start/early release for personal reasons should explore other options. Check out this flyer for more information.

Virtual Course Offerings for 2023-24

Indigenous & World Languages:

• Hmong 1
• Hmong 2
• Ojibwe 1
• Ojibwe 2
• Karen 1
• Karen for Karen Speakers
• Japanese 1
• Japanese 2

ELECTIVES:

• Drone Flight Training
• Leadership in Coaching & Officiating
• Digital Filmmaking
• Music of Social Change
• Video Game Music

Asynchronous:

• English 12
• U.S. Government
• Economics

Where and when can I complete course work?

Virtual courses are offered 1st or 4th hour and taught live by an SPPS teacher. Students will work synchronously from their school, in a space provided for virtual and independent learning.

What kind of support do I have in a virtual course?

You have the same support in a synchronous virtual course as an in-person course. The teacher will be on a Google Meet with students during each class session. You are able to contact your teacher in the same way you would for an in-person class.

What will the curriculum look like in a virtual course?

All curriculum will be posted to schoology. The virtual curriculum is very similar to the in-person curriculum, simply altered using best practices for virtual learning.

How much work is a virtual course?

While learning may look different in a virtual course than an in-person course, the amount of content covered will be the same. Students will have the same amount of live class time as in an in-person course. Students will receive similar workloads to an in-person class.

How are virtual courses different from in-person courses?

Virtual courses are synchronous and designed to be very similar to in-person classes. The instruction and curriculum align to what is happening in in-person courses; the difference is that you interact with your teachers and peers through Google Meet instead of in person.

How many of these courses can I take?

Students can take 2 courses at most, but often there is only space for 1. If a course is highly requested, students will be selected at random.

Who should sign up for a virtual course?

Any student who is interested in the courses offered. Students will have regular live interaction with their teacher just like in any in-person class.

How do attendance and grading work?

Attendance and grading works the same way it does for all of your in-person classes. Attendance will be taken each day during the live Google Meet.

Can I switch between virtual and in-person courses?

No, virtual courses are offered in buildings where an in-person option does not exist. For year-long courses, students could switch to a different course at the semester if needed.