Commonly Asked Questions (and Answers) 

WHAT OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR STUDENTS THIS SUMMER? 

You can see the programs offered by AAPS here: https://www.a2schools.org/summer

CAN A MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT TAKE A HIGH SCHOOL COURSE DURING THE SUMMER?

Incoming 7th-8th grade students can take a high school course as long as the prerequisites are met.  Students can take any elective course that doesn’t have any prerequisites.  Please keep in mind that all high school courses will earn a grade that goes on the high school transcript no matter when the course is taken.

WHAT SCIENCE COURSES ARE AVAILABLE TO MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS?

• High School Science Prerequisites
• Biology A = students need to have completed 7th Grade Science
• Earth Science A/HSS = students need to have completed 7th Grade Science
• Chem 1 and Physics 1 = students need to have completed 8th Grade Science

HOW CAN MY MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT COMPLETE ALGEBRA 1 THIS SUMMER?

If by “complete Algebra 1” the meaning is that the student finish Algebra 1B, this can be done by taking that class through A2Virtual (overseen by an AAPS teacher). This would be a typical one-summer session class with five weeks to complete the class.

If the phrase “complete Algebra 1” means taking both Algebra 1A AND Algebra 1B, this can only be accomplished by taking Algebra 1A through Michigan Virtual (required fee) and following this with Algebra 1B, either continuing with Michigan Virtual or switching to A2 Virtual+. This is not recommended as it compacts 36 weeks of work into ten weeks. This works out to about 33 or 34 hours/week for the typical student.  It is also not recommended because the Michigan Virtual course does not include the over 200+ prerequisite topics that are covered in Math 8 and AC Algebra 1 in the AAPS middle schools and the online version through A2 Virtual+.

WHAT IF I WANT TO TAKE MORE THAN ONE CLASS?

This is technically possible, but strongly not recommended. If it is assumed that an online class takes seven to eight  hours per week, compacting 36 weeks of work (two one-semester classes) into five weeks results in a workload of about forty hours per week. While specific amounts of time required vary from student to student, approximately forty hours per week is a very demanding regimen for any middle school student. (Note: Because the summer session for Michigan Virtual online classes is ten weeks long, the amount of work time per week is proportionately less.)

WILL MY SUMMER COURSES EARN A GRADE AND AFFECT MY GPA?  

Yes, all courses taken during the summer through A2 Virtual+ will earn a grade.  Any high school level course will have the grade presented on the student’s high school transcript regardless of when the course was taken.  A student’s cumulative GPA begins in the fall of their freshman year of high school.  However, there are colleges and universities which recalculate the GPA based on all courses that appear on the transcript.

CAN A STUDENT TAKE AN ONLINE COURSE THROUGH A2VIRTUAL FOR CREDIT/NO-CREDIT?

No, A2 Virtual+ does not offer any course for credit/no-credit during the summer.

WILL THERE BE A PROCTORING REQUIREMENT THIS SUMMER?

Yes, there are in-person proctoring requirements for each course. Students will be expected to complete all assessments and assignments within the course, which is equivalent to a full term of learning, and have at least one assessment proctored by coming into an AAPS location.

WHAT IS THE TIME COMMITMENT FOR TAKING AN ONLINE CLASS?

Each student learns at a different rate. However, we find that most students fall into a range of 90-110 hours per course (half a credit).  Taking a full credit, two courses, requires a commitment of approximately 35-40 hours a week.  Think of it as a full-time job for five weeks.

WHEN IS THE LAST DAY TO ENROLL FOR SUMMER TERM?

Summer term 2023 begins on June 26, 2023, it is best to enroll by June 23 to ensure that the class will be available on June 26 when the term begins.  However, students have until Friday, June 29, to add or drop an A2 Virtual+ or Edgenuity summer online course. The deadline to drop a Michigan Virtual Summer course is five days after the course starts.  Students who register after the term begins will not be given additional time to complete the course.  The online courses are finished on July 28.  There are no extensions for summer.

IF A STUDENT TOOK THE CLASS DURING SPRING TERM THIS YEAR (or another term) AND WANTS TO REPEAT IT, DO THEY HAVE TO DO ALL THE WORK FOR THE COURSE?

Yes, A2 Virtual+ only offers full-curriculum courses.  If a student is taking a course again (under the no-cost option or from another term), then they will be completing all the work that is regularly offered.  This would be the same if a student retook a class in the building.  Students should be able to move more quickly if they have retained learning from another term.  Students will receive a grade for our courses, so it is important that the student is committed to putting his/her best effort forward and completing the entire class.

IF A STUDENT TAKES A MICHIGAN VIRTUAL COURSE WILL THEY GET A GRADE ON THEIR TRANSCRIPT?

Yes, if the course is selected through the summer enrollment option with A2 Virtual+, then a grade will appear on the transcript.  Families who enroll directly with Michigan Virtual will not get the course on the transcript.  If the course certificate of completion is given to counselors after taking a course directly with Michigan Virtual, then the course will appear as a transfer in credit and no grade will appear as only credit.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN A2 VIRTUAL+ CLASS AND AN EDGENUITY CLASS?

There is only a format difference when taken through A2 Virtual+.  We offer full content courses.   Because we want to fully align with the AAPS curriculum, we look at the format that is closest.  Edgenuity, however, does have more videos.  Both earn full high school credits.  We do not offer any recovery versions of courses.  This is where the confusion usually comes from because Edgenuity has been used for recovery in a different manner in different AAPS buildings.  You can expect a quality course when choosing either of these with A2 Virtual+.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MICHIGAN VIRTUAL, A2 VIRTUAL+, AND EDGENUITY?

Click here to see samples of how each course is set-up and functions.