1. Middle School Acceleration Opportunities
A Session for Parents
New Hanover County Schools
Session 1 of 4

2. Why accelerate?
The purpose of this meeting is to help parents and students decide if acceleration is right for them and how it fits into long range high school planning.

3. High School Planning Isaac Bear Early College High School
Southeast Education Alliance Technical High
Wilmington Early College School
Career Readiness Academy at Mosley
Dual Enrollment through College & Career Promise
Cape Fear Community College
UNC-Wilmington
Signature Programs:
International Baccalaureate (Hoggard)
Lyceum (New Hanover)
Marine Science (Ashley)
STEM (Laney)

4. Math I Taught face-to-face
Students are instructed and assessed in Grade 8 Math Standards and Math I Standards
Allows students to accelerate through math curriculum towards high school goal

5. Math I Students will complete a Math I Readiness exam in the spring
Math I Placement decisions will be based on the following criteria:
Achievement Performance
Historical Grades
Math I Readiness exam
Teacher Recommendation

6. Online Learning Opportunities
New Hanover County Schools utilizes
North Carolina Virtual Public School (NCVPS) courses
to support online learning efforts.
These courses are:
Aligned to the NC Standards (Common Core/Essential Standards)
Taught by NC Certified Teachers
Taught completely online in an asynchronous format
(Students don’t have to log in at a specific time each day)
Evaluated each semester to ensure high quality

7. Outcomes for this Session
Opportunities for acceleration in online formats
What to Expect in an Online Course
How to Register for a Course
Contact Information

8. Online Learning Opportunities
(For Middle School Students)
NCVPS offers several middle school content courses
Serve as additional elective offerings
Select high school courses have been approved by the NC Board of Education for access by middle school students.
See NHCS Online Learning website for listing.
Credit & GPA:
When accessing high school courses, middle school students are able to earn credit towards graduation, but do not contribute towards their high school GPA.

9. Middle School Options Options: Electives Period
*Students must have dedicated time at school each day to work on NCVPS coursework*
Options:
Electives Period
Approximately 45 minutes dedicated to NCVPS in class
Social Studies and/or Science Period
Students will receive a compacted 8th grade science and/or social studies experience one semester with their face-to-face teacher
Students participate in an online science and/or social studies course for a semester with their face-to-face teacher blending 8th grade content into the experience
Approximately 60 minutes dedicated to NCVPS in class (actual time varies by school)
Students should dedicate time at home to NCVPS in addition to time spent at school.

10. Social Studies Period (Blended/Compacted Model)
Fall
Spring
Course
8th Grade Social Studies (compacted)
American History 2 - NCVPS
(with 8th Grade SS blended)
Teacher of Record
YOUR SCHOOL’S TEACHER
NCVPS Teacher
Expectations
Classwork
NCVPS classwork + YOUR SCHOOL’S TEACHER’s blended activities
Science Period (Blended/Compacted Model)
Fall
Spring
Course
Earth Environmental Science – NCVPS
(with 8th grade Science blended)
8th Grade Science
(compacted)
Teacher of Record
NCVPS Teacher
YOUR SCHOOL’S TEACHER
Expectations
NCVPS classwork + YOUR SCHOOL’S TEACHER’s blended activities
Classwork

11. Course Options Semester Long: Earth/Environmental Science
American History 2
Yearlong:
Foreign Language
*** NO content support provided for these classes. Students may opt to take a VPS course in place of an elective (except PE).

12. What to Expect in an Online Course
Daily access to the internet is critical!
Each campus has computers designated specifically for NCVPS coursework with a Virtual Academy Coordinator on site to support student success.

13. What to Expect in an Online Course
Manage your time wisely!
To maintain pace in your course, you should plan to dedicate the following time to your online work EVERY DAY…
Semester course = 90 minutes
Yearlong course = 45 minutes
Summer course = 3-4 hours
Note: recommended time is for high school content courses.

14. What to Expect in an Online Course
HELP is available!
Online Support:
NCVPS Teacher & Teacher Assistant
Virtual Peer Tutors & Virtual Buddies
Virtual Support Center
On-Campus Support:
Virtual Academy Coordinator
Works in the lab to coordinate on-campus support for you
E-Learning Advisor (ELA)
Supports advising and enrollment efforts
YOU must ADVOCATE for yourself…ask for HELP!

15. What to Expect in an Online Course
Communication is key!
Students: Log in and communicate with your NCVPS teacher DAILY. Contact your Virtual Academy Coordinator when you need help.
Parents: Get involved! Have your child show share grades with you regularly. or call their NCVPS teacher to stay “in the loop”.

16. What to Expect in an Online Course
Important Dates (will be available prior to the start of school)
_______ Meet the Teacher (typically before school starts)
_______ NCVPS Course BEGIN
_______ Last day to DROP/ADD
_______ NCVPS Course ENDS

17. Next Steps
Use the 4 year graduation planning and high school speciality option documents to complete the Acceleration document
The completed acceleration document will be a requirement for Math I or NCVPS enrollment
Sign Ups are available for small group support

18. Next Steps
NCVPS
Registration for NCVPS opened April 1st and will remain open through the end of the year
Math I
Continue to work diligently in your 7th grade math course to prepare for EOG and Math I Readiness exam

19. How to Register for a Course
Talk with your school counselor and/or E-Learning Advisor (ELA) to determine what course would best meet your needs.
Complete the NCVPS application. Applications are available on the MGMS website.
*Course enrollment may be subject to course availability. Register early!