FLVS Course Questions:

1. What is Florida Virtual School? Is it accredited?
   FLVS is a public school providing middle and high school curriculum to Florida residents for FREE. We are a curriculum provider, not a diploma granting institution. All of our courses are fully on-line, and FLVS is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and the Commission on International and Trans-Regional Accreditation (CITA). Our courses meet the Sunshine Standards developed by the State of Florida.
2. Do you issue diplomas or GED's?
   Part Time and Home Education students who take courses with Florida Virtual School are not eligible to receive a diploma or GED directly from FLVS. However, students attending Florida Virtual School Full Time (FLVS Full Time) who follow a traditional, 180-day school calendar do graduate with a diploma. When enrolled as a student in Florida Virtual School Full Time, FLVS is considered your school of record. You take courses with FLVS, receive grades through FLVS, and graduate with an FLVS diploma.
   
   Public or private school students who take courses with FLVS to supplement or enhance their schedule have grades sent to their current school. Transcripts, report cards, and/or diplomas are issued by the public or private school according to your school’s policies and procedures.
   
   Homeschool students who take some or all of their courses on a flexible schedule through FLVS Part Time must be registered as a home education student in their district of record. Records are maintained by the school district and your parent/guardian is responsible for your curriculum. Homeschool students who fulfill all of their requirements are still considered a graduate even if they do not receive a traditional diploma. Always check with your local school district or the school in which you are registered to be certain of the specific graduation requirements that govern you. In some districts, there will be schools with requirements that vary from those of other schools.
3. Are you approved by NCAA?
   Yes. To see NCAA approved courses, click here to visit the NCAA website and
   enter your school information.
4. How much do FLVS courses cost?
   • Florida Residents: FLVS is FREE to Florida residents.
   • Out of state Students: Students that live outside Florida or the US can take FLVS courses through the FLVS Global School.
5. Do students get actual live teachers?
   Every FLVS course is taught by highly qualified, State Certified Instructors—experts in their subject matters. Teachers and students interact regularly through email, voice mail, telephone conversations, and instant messenger. Teachers are available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, as well as during weekend hours. Students are encouraged to contact the teacher when there is a need of any kind. Teachers speak via telephone with students and their parents at least once per month.
6. Do you provide us with a computer?
   No. Students wishing to take an FLVS course must have access to their own computer via school library, home, friend's house, or local library. Review the computer requirements here.
7. Do I need to purchase textbooks?
   All course materials are provided online. Should a particular course need any special text or material, we will provide it. Materials are sent to the students, but the parent/guardian is responsible for returning it to back to the school once the course has been completed.
8. How do I know what courses to take?
   • Public/Private School Students: Please visit your school counselor for academic advice as to your academic needs.
   • Homeschooled Students: To begin please visit our Course Progression Recommendation found on our Homeschool info page.
9. Do you offer Honors Courses?
   Almost all of our courses may be taken for Regular or Honors credit. You will register for regular, then inform your teacher once placed in the regular version of your desire to work for honors credit.
• Public / Private Students: Please make sure your school counselor is aware of your choice prior to notifying your FLVS instructor.
10. How long do the courses last?
    Courses are 16-18 weeks per half credit. We do not offer reduced content, or summer school. All courses provide the entire spectrum of components required by Florida.
11. How are assignments completed?
    Upon entering the course, students have access to ALL assignments, but access to tests or quizzes may not be available until certain assignments have been completed. Students move sequentially through the course but may be allowed to occasionally move ahead or test out of certain areas, pending instructor approval.
12. Can I accelerate and complete faster?
    Yes you can! Students will be given a Traditional Pace chart which shows students doing an average of 2-3 lessons a week for a rate of about 3-5 hours of study time a week. Students can elect to do extra assignments a week therefore completing the course in less time.
13. What is the Grade Book?
    Every graded assessment is recorded in the student's personal grade book, which is available to ALL parents who know the student's user name and password—something we highly recommend! Routinely monitoring grades allows you to see student progress over time. All graded assignments and current overall grade average are available for viewing.
14. What is the work load like?
    Each student is required to submit a specific amount of work each week to maintain the appropriate pace decided on by teacher and student. The number of required weekly submissions depends on the course taken. Failure to maintain pace results in warnings, reduced grades and, if unheeded, withdrawal from the course.
15. How do I know what work is due when?
    All FLVS courses have a Pace Chart embedded in them. This allows students to know exactly what is expected to be submitted on a weekly basis, whether they choose a traditional, extended or accelerated pace. Teachers assist students in modifying the chart to reflect their chosen pace.
16. Which course can I take that will start right away?
    All students will be placed as quickly as possible, in most cases within 1-2 weeks after completing registration and required approvals.
17. When do courses begin?
    Courses begin at different times of the year. We do not follow a traditional school calendar, therefore start time is flexible. When you register, you can select your preferred start month. We will try to place you sometime during this month, however, placement at that time is not guaranteed. As students are assigned to instructors, a welcome call must then be completed. Once the welcome call is complete, you may begin working in the course.
18. How many courses am I allowed to take at once?
    Due to the amount of time each course takes to complete, we recommend:
    • Homeschooled: Not more than 4-5 courses at a time, if FLVS will be their sole provider.
    • Public / Private School: Not more than 1-2 courses at a time.
      Each course averages 18 weeks per half credit, at a rate of approximately 4-6 study hours per week.
19. Do students automatically get an official transcript sent to them?
    Official final grade reports are sent out electronically to the school of record immediately upon completing a course or semester of a course. (Exception: Advanced Placement credits are issued upon verification of AP exam participation at the end of each exam cycle in May.)
    What makes a transcript official is when it's sent sealed and/or directly to the school or entity. They have to be the ones to open it. As soon as our instructors complete the student and issue a final grade, a document is automatically sent to your official documents file to process. Students can print Unofficial Transcripts via their FLVS account.

Questions about Requesting FLVS Courses for Florida Students

1. How do I request courses at FLVS?
   You can request courses in our Course Catalog. If you're a new student, you will create your account there.
2. How do I check the status of my course request?
   Login to your account twice a week, using your username and password. Check your Student Dashboard to see if there is a green x next to your course.
3. Other important information about requesting courses:
   Please make sure the email address you entered during the admissions process is always up to date, as FLVS will send important emails to this address. Due to spam filters, users with an AOL email address may experience issues receiving emails from FLVS.