Frequently Asked Questions
Enrollment
Who can enroll?
When should I enroll?
Can I enroll mid year?
Am I guaranteed enrollment?
What if my student was expelled from another school?
How many classes does a student need to take at once?
Can I enroll part time or have dual enrollment?
Can I purchase Provost Academy courses as a supplement to my child's current
education without enrolling in Provost Academy?
Is there a cost?
Technology Requirements
What technology do I need?
What computer skills do students need?
How do you protect the safety of my child online?
Do you cover the cost of internet?
How do I return my computer at the end of the school year or graduation?
What if my child's computer is lost or stolen?
Academic Program
Will I earn a high school diploma?
How does Provost Academy adapt learning to my child's needs?
My child has special needs, a disability, or is an English Language Learner. Is Provost Academy
able to accommodate these students?
Will text books be provided?
How do students do lab work for science courses?
How do students meet Physical Education requirements?
How will my student interact with and be supported by the staff at Provost Academy?
Are your teachers certified?
How do you prevent cheating?
How does Provost Academy report academic progress?
What if my child is falling behind?
What is the expected role of parents?
What does Provost Academy do to make sure students are prepared for college?
How does Provost Academy support gifted and talented students?
Does Provost Academy offer Honors, AP Courses and SAT Prep?
Are students required to take standardized tests?
Is Provost Academy the same as Home Schooling?
Extracurricular Activities
Will there be opportunities for socialization and extracurricular activities?
Can students participate in sports and other programs at a local high school?
Enrollment
Who can enroll?
Provost Academy is a public high school open to all students who are eligible to begin the 9th - 12th grade. The student must be a resident of the state of South Carolina.
Why was Provost Academy created?
Provost Academy South Carolina was created to address the need in South Carolina for a challenging and flexible education option for students who want or need something different from traditional high schools. In the last 2 years, thousands of parents, students, and educators have voiced the need for increased public school options in South Carolina. PASC will help keep students interested and excited about school, working on a schedule that makes sense for them, thus helping to increase graduation rates, which are as low as 50% in some South Carolina communities. The reasons PASC might be a better choice for students are broad: from gifted students who want a more challenging and diverse curriculum to those who are distracted or feel unsafe at school; students who struggle and need their own pace and more individual attention, to those who need a flexible schedule to meet family and life obligations; At Provost Academy, every student can succeed.
When should I enroll?
Provost Academy operates on a similar timeline to traditional high schools. Enrollment for the fall takes place in the Spring and Summer prior. It is preferred that students enroll for the entire academic year (August - June), but Provost Academy will accept students through September 15, 2010 or when we reach our capacity of 1500 students, whichever comes first. Students enrolling after September 15, 2010, or the time we reach capacity will be placed on a waitlist and may be called as openings occur throughout the school year.
Can I enroll mid year?
Students may enroll up to September 15th. Following this date, students may enroll mid-year for the following school year, not the current year.
Am I guaranteed enrollment?
Applicants who meet all eligibility requirements, submit all required documentation, and meet with an Academic Advisor to establish a viable academic plan will be granted enrollment as space allows up to July 1st. If on July 1st we have exceed our capacity of 1500 students, a lottery will be held by July 15th. If Capacity has not been reached by July 1st, we will continue to accept enrollment until September 15th or the date when we reach capacity, whichever comes first. In cases where the number of applicants exceeds the number of spaces, a waitlist will be created, and any applications received after the deadline will be placed on the waitlist in the order they were received.
What if my student was expelled from another school?
In accordance with State Law, we will carefully review the student's records, and grant enrollment on a case by case basis.
Can I enroll part time or have dual enrollment?
Students must be enrolled in Provost Academy full-time. Students cannot take classes at Provost Academy at the same time as completing credits through home school, public or private school.
How many classes does a student need to take at once?
All Provost Academy students are required to enroll full-time. This generally means 5-7 credits per year for most students. Each student’s pacing and course load will be determined with their Academic Advisor. Students must enroll for at least the minimum number of credits required to stay on pace for high school graduation, however, students will be encouraged to pursue a college preparatory program which will likely include more courses than the minimum.
Can I purchase Provost Academy courses as a supplement to my child's current education without enrolling in Provost Academy?
We do not currently offer individual families the ability to purchase courses directly from Provost.
Is there a cost?
Provost Academy is a free public high school just like the one you would attend at your local school district, so there is no tuition.
Technology Requirements
What technology do I need?
To attend PASC students must have a computer with at least a 14.1” monitor, a USB Tablet to allow for writing on the computer during synchronous instruction and high-speed internet access. It is recommended (but not required) that students have a headset with microphone and printer as these materials will provide for the best online learning experience. PASC currently does not support Apple computers. In some cases, where students do not have access to the essential equipment, Provost Academy may loan a computer to an enrolling family, based on financial need. This determination will take place during the enrollment process.
What computer skills do students need?
It is expected that students will have basic computer skills such as knowledge of internet navigation, word processing, and email. If students need extra assistance in these areas, it can be provided. Training will be provided to all students and parents in the use of the Provost Academy software systems prior to the start of classes.
How do you protect the safety of my child online?
In the online community, student activity will be closely monitored by instructors to insure that no inappropriate content is posted. PASC does not provide internet filtering for students who will be using personally-owned computers. Monitoring of student internet browsing on a personal computer is the sole responsibility of each student’s parent/guardian.
In cases where students are borrowing a computer from PASC, any school-issued laptops will include protection software which limits sites that students can access on the internet, and what can be downloaded to their computer. The internet filtering product chosen by Provost Academy will provide the highest level of filtering possible that meet CIPA (Children’s Internet Protection Act) and Protecting Children in the 21st Century Acts. All Provost Academy teachers will have the same internet filtering policies to ensure that no student is able to access unprotected websites. The student will be unable to disable this software without permanently damaging the computer.
Do you cover the cost of internet?
All students enrolled in Provost Academy must have access to a high speed internet connection. It is the responsibility of family to provide access to a high speed connection for the student. In some cases, based on financial need, PASC may provide some reimbursement to help cover this cost. This determination will be made during the enrollment process. Additional detail about this can be provided by one of our enrollment specialists.
How do I return my computer at the end of the school year or graduation?
For students who are borrowing a computer from PASC: All equipment is required to be returned at the time the student graduates or officially withdraws from the program. Self-addressed mailing materials will be provided at the time the student withdraws or graduates.
What if my child's computer is lost or stolen?
For students who are borrowing a computer from PASC: The student/parent may be responsible for any costs associated with repairing or replacing lost, stolen, or damaged equipment while in the student's possession, as agreed to in their equipment use contract. PASC uses Absolute Software's Computrance Plus program which allows PASC or law enforcement to track the computer via GPS or Wi-Fi technology to within 33 feet of its location.
Academic Program
Will I earn a high school diploma?
Yes, if all state requirements are met, including passing required exit exams, students will earn a high school diploma.
How does Provost Academy adapt learning to my child's needs?
Prior to the start of the year, students will take an initial assessment. This assessment will help to identify content specific individual strengths and weaknesses. An Academic Advisor will meet with each family and use this information along with parent advice, and the student's previous academic record, to create the best plan for your student. The plan will be adapted as needed throughout the year based on the student’s performance and assessments.
My child has special needs, a disability, or is an English Language Learner. Is Provost Academy
able to accommodate these students?
PASC reaches out to all students in South Carolina. The Individual Education Plans (IEPs) of students with special needs will be reviewed by a committee, including staff and the parents, to discuss the educational needs of the student, and to determine the appropriateness of education in an online learning environment. To arrange a meeting to discuss your student's IEP please contact the enrollment center at 877-265-3195.
Will text books be provided?
Yes, each course includes a customized PDF textbook, which can be printed or used on the computer depending on the student's preference. Additional text materials may also be provided for some classes.
How do students do lab work for science courses?
Labs are performed in a flash-based virtual environment where students can easily experience the concepts and extend their exploration beyond the lesson. All labs meet or exceed state requirements.
How do students meet physical education requirements?
Physical education has two components, learning about health and fitness concepts and the necessary components for a healthy lifestyle, and doing actual physical activity. Students will learn the concepts in online classes, and will perform physical activities which they will record in a fitness journal.
How will my student interact with and be supported by the staff at Provost Academy?
The key to a student's academic success at Provost Academy (other than the student themselves, of course!) is the student's academic advisor. The advisor's primary goal is to make sure each one of his/her students is making progress and meeting or exceeding their academic goals. Students are required to interact with their advisor at least once a week. If the advisor sees anything getting off track, it will be addressed immediately, with the student, parent, and instructors as necessary.
Students have an instructor for each course and also have tutoring available as needed.
Are your teachers certified?
Yes, all Provost Academy instructional staff have, at a minimum, a bachelor's degree, and a high school teaching credential. Subject specific instructors have at least a subject specific credential. Many instructors have graduate degrees.
How do you prevent cheating?
With our proprietary user tracking software, we can see exactly which contents of lessons were accessed and for how long. Analysis of this data can help to ensure students are using the content properly. Also, our software tracks scores from daily assessments, which allows advisors and parents to know immediately if students truly understand the material. A combination of multiple choice testing, and more creative assignments also help to ensure that students are submitting their own work, and are understanding the material properly.
How does Provost Academy report academic progress?
Progress is tracked and reported in several ways. On their home page, students, parents and instructional staff can easily see grades, incomplete assignments, and achievement alerts (when a student falls behind in a given content area). Progress is also discussed between the family and the Academic Advisor regularly to insure that students are achieving their learning goals.
What if my child is falling behind?
At Provost Academy, daily assessment means that students, parents, advisors, and instructors know immediately when a student falls behind. If a student fails to meet proficiency in a given area, an alert is automatically sent to the student and advisor, and is viewable by parents and instructors. The advisor will work with the student, parents, and instructors to determine the cause of the issue, and assign an appropriate course of action to correct it immediately. When a student falls behind in grades or completion of assignments, students, parents, and instructors can see this immediately from their home page, and act to solve the issue.
What is the expected role of parents?
At Provost Academy we equip parents to guide, motivate, and monitor their student’s progress and make it easy to take an active role by staying informed about the curriculum and student achievement. With our Parent Portal, each parent receives a log-in which gives them access to all of the relevant information about each of their students’ education from a single homepage. Parents at Provost Academy are not required to provide instruction or tutoring, as they are in some other online programs.
What does Provost Academy do to make sure students are prepared for college?
In addition to meeting minimum graduation requirements, students will be encouraged to pursue a college preparatory education. Career and college counseling will be offered to students, especially in the 10th-12th grade. Students will be provided options for PSAT, SAT, and ACT prep, college application help, and college information.
How does Provost Academy support gifted and talented students?
Provost Academy is excellent for gifted students because it offers the ability for these students to move through material at an accelerated pace, attempt more difficult coursework, and gives opportunities for students to extend their learning with additional projects. Provost Academy is also able to offer access to challenging courses that are not available at other schools.
Does Provost Academy offer Honors, AP Courses and SAT Prep?
Yes. Students should discuss their interest in Honors level courses with their Academic Advisor while establishing their personal learning plan. Students must agree to special pacing and research requirements for each course which are approved by the school board to qualify as honors level. If the student completes the requirements, honors credit will be noted on the student's transcript. Honors credit is available in core curriculum courses. For a full list of honors courses, see the available course list.
Provost Academy offers Advanced Placement courses through the South Carolina Department of Education's Office of eLearning. PASC is also partnering with Advanced Placement providers to offer additional online AP courses that broaden the variety of learning choices available to our students. Our Academic Advisors will meet with you and your student to facilitate this process. For a full list of available AP courses, see the available course list.
To further provide our students with a competitive edge, Provost Academy also offers SAT preparatory courses, and is in the process of submitting the full catalog of courses to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) for review and approval.
Are students required to take standardized tests?
Yes, Provost Academy is a public high school, so students will be required to take the same state-mandated exams as other high school students, including annual testing, and the requirement to pass the exit exams to earn a high school diploma.
Is Provost Academy the same as home schooling?
No, Provost Academy is not home school. It is a public high school attended primarily from the home. The academic program follows all state standards and guidelines, including the use of certified teachers and standardized testing.
Extracurricular Activities
Will there be opportunities for socialization and extracurricular activities?
Yes. At Provost Academy, we aim to foster well-rounded students. We provide opportunities for students to be involved in school clubs and organizations, field trips, and other events, as well as encouraging students to be involved in activities within their local community.
Can students participate in sports and other programs at a local high school?
Students can only participate in activities like Sports, Band, and Drama at their local high school with the special permission of the school or district. Parents must initiate this approval on their own, and Provost Academy will help facilitate when possible. We encourage students to pursue such extracurricular activities within their communities with non-school school affiliated groups. |
