Ful l -Year and Semester-Long CoursesFrom single seats to complete memberships, VHS provides online classes such as AP®, unique electives, and innovative STEM programs to expand curricula, fill gaps in schedules, and enhance learning.

Credit RecoverySemester-long and flexible 4 and 8-week credit recovery courses provide students with the opportunity to make up credits to graduate with their class, or matriculate to the next grade level.

Summer School Opt ionsFull and half credit courses are available from June to August. Multiple sessions benefit students in need of credit recovery or looking for enrichment.

Customized Offer ingsTailor our content to meet the specific needs of your school and your students. Use our online and blended learning strategies to fill gaps in curriculum, technology, expertise, and support.

Professional DevelopmentVHS teachers complete Online Teaching Methodologies, introducing them to the pedagogy and techniques to prepare them to effectively teach online. Facilitators monitor progress, and provide grades and mentoring.

About The Virtual High SchoolThe Virtual High School (VHS) is a global nonprofit collaborative setting the standard for quality online education. VHS provides over 200 courses for middle and high school students, and professional development for educators. We meet unique educational needs of schools through a robust selection of customized solutions and individualized course offerings.

Learn MoreFor more information about VHS or to register students,

visit VHSLearning.org or call 978.897.1900.Advanced Placement and AP are registered trademarks of The College Board.

Driven by Results

Advanced Placement and AP are registered trademarks of The College Board.

Membership retention rate, 2016

97%

At The Virtual High School (VHS), our courses offer proven results. Our students learn with, and from, one another and their teachers. Our programs exceed national standards and offer students a comprehensive education that will better prepare them to be successful in a global society.

Why Choose VHS?We use student data and membership retention rates to continuously improve our services and support. Recent analysis shows a 97% retention rate in the 2015-2016 school year. In addition, students had an average pass rate of 77% over the last 5 years (2012-2016).

Advanced Placement®The Virtual High School offers 23 College Board Approved courses - one of the largest Advanced Placement® (AP®) course catalogs of any online education provider. Our online learning model has proven so successful that in 2016, 66% of VHS students sitting for AP® exams passed with a score of 3 or higher, exceeding the national average of 60.4%.

Average student pass rate, 2012-2016

77%

Learn MoreFor more information about VHS or to register students,

visit VHSLearning.org or call 978.897.1900.

Below is a sampling of 2016 VHS pass rates in comparison to the national average:% of Students Who Passed the AP® Exam with a Score of 3 or Higher

VHS Students

National Average 53%

73.7%AP® European History

VHS Students

National Average 55%

90.9%AP® English Literature and Composition

VHS Students

National Average 46%

76.3%AP® Environmental Science

% of Students who passed the AP® exam with a score of 3 or higher, 2016

VHS StudentsNational Average

60.4%

66%

Preparing Students to be Successful in College, Careers, and Life

The Virtual High School is a non-profit

organization offering over 200 unique

high school and middle school courses

including 23 AP® courses, core courses,

engaging electives, credit recovery, and

summer/after school programs. Courses

subject to change. For a complete list

of courses and their descriptions visit

VHSLearning.org/catalog.

Advanced Placement®AP® Art History

AP® Biology

AP® Calculus AB

AP® Calculus BC

AP® Chemistry

AP® Computer Science A

AP® Computer Science Principles

AP® Economics

AP® English Language and Composition

AP® English Literature and Composition

AP® Environmental Science

AP® European History

AP® French Language and Culture

AP® Government & Politics: U.S.

AP® Human Geography

AP® Music Theory

AP® Physics 1

AP® Physics C

AP® Psychology

AP® Spanish Language and Culture

AP® Statistics

AP® U.S. History

AP® World History

ArtsAmerican Popular Music AP® Art History

AP® Music Theory

Art HistoryArt History and American Identity Art History: Art of the CaribbeanCreating Art History History of PhotographyMusic Listening and Critique Music: Fundamentals of Composition

BusinessBusiness and Personal LawBusiness MathEntrepreneurshipInternational BusinessInvesting in the Stock MarketMarketing and the InternetPersonal Finance

Computer Science and TechnologyAP® Computer Science A

AP® Computer Science Principles

CAD Creative Programming with Scratch Introduction to Computer Science PrinciplesJava Fundamentals for Science and EngineeringJava ProgrammingProgramming in Visual Basic Video Game Design Web Design

EngineeringCADEngineering for Sustainable EnergyEngineering PrinciplesJava Fundamentals for Science and Engineering

English as a Second Language (ESL)American StudiesEnglish FoundationsIntroduction to Natural Science for ESL Students

Language Arts101 Ways to Write a Short Story Academic Writing AP® English Language and Composition

AP® English Literature and Composition

Creative WritingEnglish 9

English 10

English 11

English 12

Essay Writing Fantasy and Science Fiction Short StoriesFilm and LiteratureFolklore and Literature of Myth, Magic and RitualGhoulies, Ghosties, and Long-Legged BeastiesHorror WritersJournalism in the Digital AgeLiterature of the WorldMythologyPoetry WritingScreenwriting FundamentalsShakespeare in FilmTo Kill a Mockingbird Twentieth Century Women AuthorsYoung Adult Literature

Life Skills/HealthDigital Citizenship Employability SkillsHealthKindergarten Apprentice TeacherNow What Will You Do?Parenting in the 21st CenturyPhysical Education: Personal FitnessPreparing for College Study Skills+Who Do I Want to Be When I Grow Up?

MathematicsAlgebra 1

Algebra 2

AP® Calculus AB

AP® Calculus BC

AP® Statistics

Business MathDifferential CalculusEssential Math for College and CareersGeometry

Math and Modern LogicMathematics of Electricity Number TheoryPre-Calculus

Pre-Calculus: Advanced Trigonometry Pre-Calculus: FunctionsStatisticsStatistics Honors

Science, LifeAnatomy and PhysiologyAnimal Behavior and ZoologyAP® Biology AP® Environmental Science

BiochemistryBioethicsBiology

BiotechnologyEnvironmental ScienceEnvironmental Science HonorsEpidemicsEvolution and the Nature of ScienceGenes and DiseaseOceanographyPreveterinary MedicineThe Human Body

Full-year courseAdvanced Placement and AP are registered trademarks of the College Board.

Science, Earth & SpaceAP® Environmental Science

Astronomy PrinciplesClimate ScienceEarth and Space System Science

Environmental Science Environmental Science HonorsMeteorology Oceanography

Science, PhysicalAP® Chemistry

AP® Environmental Science

AP® Physics 1

AP® Physics C

Astronomy PrinciplesChemistry

Climate ScienceEarth and Space System Science

Environmental Science Environmental Science HonorsForensic ScienceMeteorology Nuclear ScienceOceanographyPhysics: Mechanics

Social StudiesAP® Economics

AP® European History

AP® Government & Politics: U.S.

AP® Human Geography

AP® Psychology

AP® U.S. History

AP® World History

Constitutional LawContemporary Issues in American

Law and JusticeCriminologyEconomics Modern Middle EastPeacemakingPhilosophy IPractical LawPsychology HonorsPsychology I Psychology of CrimeSociology

Sports and SocietyThe Glory of Ancient RomeThe HolocaustU.S. GovernmentU.S. History: 1754-1877U.S. History: 1877-PresentWorld Conflict, a United Nations IntroductionWorld History: 1450-Present

World History: Pre-history-1500

World Religions

World LanguageAP® French Language and Culture

AP® Spanish Language and Culture

French Language and CultureGerman Language and CultureItalian Language and CultureLatin 1

Latin 2

Mandarin Chinese Language and CulturePortuguese 1

Russian Language and CultureSpanish 1

Spanish 2

Spanish Culture and 20th Century Hispanic Literature

Middle SchoolMS Business FoundationsMS Creative WritingMS EngineeringMS Number TheoryMS Pre-AlgebraMS Science from SpaceMS The Teenage BrainMS World War II Through the

Eyes of Dr. SeussStudy Skills+

Flexible Credit RecoveryFlexible or “Flex” courses are self-paced and teacher-facilitated and can begin mid-semester. Students progress through the coursework at their own pace, taking as much or as little time as needed to complete their course.

1 Credit CoursesAlgebra 1 FlexAlgebra 2 FlexBiology FlexGeometry FlexEnglish 9 FlexEnglish 10 FlexEnglish 11 FlexEnglish 12 Flex

0.5 Credit CoursesHealth FlexPersonal Finance FlexUS History: 1877-Present FlexUS History: Colonial America-1877 Flex

Summer School8-Week Courses

Algebra 1Algebra 2BiologyChemistryEnglish 9English 10English 11English 12GeometryPre-CalculusWorld History: 1450-Present

4-Week CoursesCAD Part 1CAD Part 2CriminologyCryptography: Math Behind Secret MessagesDigital PhotographyEnglish Literacy Skills: Short StoriesEnglish Literacy Skills: The NovelGovernmentHealthMission to the International Space StationPersonal FinancePhysical Education: Personal Fitness Part 1Physical Education: Personal Fitness Part 2Planning for CollegePre-Algebra/Algebra PreparationPre-Calculus: FunctionsSolar Energy DesignStudy Skills+: Class Organization and Time ManagementStudy Skills+: Organization of InformationU.S. History: 1754-1877U.S. History: 1877-PresentYour Brain: An Introduction to Neuroscience

4 Mill and Main Place Suite 510 Maynard, MA 01754 978.897.1900 info@VHSLearning.org

VHSLearning.org

About The Virtual High School

4 Mill and Main Place Suite 510 Maynard, MA 01754Phone: 978.897.1900 Fax: 978.897.9839 VHSLearning.org

Not all online learning programs are created equal. When looking at the quality of an online program, there are many considerations such as educator training, student/teacher ratios, support services, and learning models that schools will need to examine to determine if a program is right for them.

Teacher Train ingHave the teachers engaged in graduate level studies focused on online teaching and learning best practices?

Online teaching requires different skills than classroom teaching. New online teachers need professional development training to learn to teach effectively in an online environment.

Student /Teacher Rat iosIs the student/teacher ratio and allotted teaching time sufficient to allow teachers to assess individual student work? Does the teacher provide personalized feedback, engage students in discussions, and proactively address individual students’ challenges with the materials?

High quality online courses should have similar student/teacher ratios to classroom training. Effective online teachers should be spending more of their time on high-value interactions with students and less of their time on rote lectures and classroom management.

Local SupportIs there an adult locally available to monitor student progress and help identify and troubleshoot any problems?

The most successful online programs involve a dedicated teacher, counselor, parent, or mentor who is physically present with the student on a regular basis to help monitor progress and troubleshoot any issues or problems.

Time ManagementAre courses scheduled in a way to allow students to manage their time effectively and keep up with their course work?

Scheduled online learning with allotted time during the school day, weekly assignments, and a fixed semester or year-long schedule can help students keep up

Characteristics of High-QualityOnline and Blended Learning

4Quality of Teachers

4Personalized Attention

4Localized Support

4Global Perspectives

4 Mill and Main Place Suite 510 Maynard, MA 01754Phone: 978.897.1900 Fax: 978.897.9839 VHSLearning.org

with their course work and manage their time effectively. Students who have successfully completed an online course can show colleges and employers that they have mastered time management and independent learning skills.

New Opportunit iesAre online offerings allowing students to take interesting courses, explore potential college majors or careers, and select courses of study not otherwise offered by their schools?

Most schools can’t offer a wide range of courses to students. Online courses can expand opportunities for students to study languages like Chinese, take additional Advanced Placement® courses like Physics or Art History, or explore college or career interests in areas such as the law, engineering or veterinary medicine. Students who are interested in their courses will be more engaged in their studies and are more likely to be successful and stay in school.

Technology Ski l lsAre students learning valuable computer and technology skills that they will be able to apply in college and in the workplace?

Well-designed online courses give students practical, hands on experience using online resources effectively. When students graduate they will need these skills to succeed in college or in the workplace.

The Global ClassroomWho comprises your online classroom can be just as important as the subjects that are offered? Are students and teachers coming together from a wide variety of cities, states, and countries so they can be exposed to different points of view and broaden their understanding of themselves as global citizens?

When students and teachers from different regions, cultures and background come together in an online course, they share their different perspectives on the world. In local schools, teachers and students often share similar perspectives and experiences. Participating in a global online classroom allows students to expand their horizons and prepare to live and work in a diverse, global economy.

About The Vir tual High School

VHS is a nonprofit that has set the standard for online and blended learning since 1996. Through our global online classrooms, schools offer STEM, AP®, Honors, Gifted & Talented, and elective courses that prepare students for college and careers.

For more information, visit VHSLearning.org or call 978.897.1900.

Teacher Train ingEvery VHS teacher completes our 6-week, graduate-level training course, Online Teaching

Methodologies (OTM). This course introduces essential strategies and techniques to facilitate and

assess online courses. Experienced online teachers provide guidance and one-to-one support to

teacher-trainees as they progress through the program. Teachers benefit from the collaboration

with peers to learn the pedagogical and technical skills needed to:

An important part of our mission is to offer your students quality courses taught by highly-

qualified teachers. Our Teaching Members play an integral role in our program’s success.

As a Teaching Member School, you are asked to provide a classroom teacher, one period per

day, to facilitate a VHS course. In exchange for your faculty’s participation, we provide extensive

training and mentoring to guarantee a successful transition to a global classroom, and offer your

school a significant reduction in tuition for seats in our online courses. Teaching Members also

designate a staff member to become their “site coordinator” and direct all VHS activities at your

school.

By becoming a VHS Teaching Member you help your staff develop new 21st century teaching

skills and increase student enrollments more affordably.

• Engage their students in online discussions

• Use interactive web tools

• Facilitate online student-centered activities

• Support the formation of online teams

• Encourage discussions and collaboration on activities and group projects

• Understand and coordinate VHS policies on issues such as discipline, absenteeism,

plagiarism and grading

Teacher Mentor ingDuring the first semester, the new VHS teacher is paired with a faculty advisor who provides

ongoing support and evaluation on a weekly basis. Teachers who meet VHS standards in their first

teaching semester continue to collaborate with and receive support from a VHS Curriculum

Coordinator on an as-needed basis.

The Benef i ts of Having a VHS Teacher on Staf fYour participation of one or more teachers results in:

• The introduction of new 21st century teaching and technology skills that can help launch blended learning initiatives and new lessons.

• A substantial discount on enrollment fees in our online courses than those that participate without a teacher or purchase seats individually.

• Reducing concerns among faculty that the introduction of online learning will replace traditional teachers – as our courses are taught by our member school classroom teachers.

• Supporting a vision of nonprofit collaborative online education that provides students everywhere with access to high-quality online courses.

Your VHS Site CoordinatorAll VHS Member schools select a site

coordinator on staff. This individual plays an

important role in both the growth, strength

and success of the program, and helps the

school make the most of your participation.

The site coordinator is a designated member

of your faculty that manages the day-to-

day activities of the VHS program at your

school. Often based in the guidance office, a

computer lab, library media center, or offering

specific office hours to students, the site

coordinator is the primary contact person for

all VHS matters and the “go-to” person in the

building for this virtual learning program.

We offer complimentary Site Coordinator

Orientation that provides the necessary

training this individual will need to achieve

maximum results for your school. Site

coordinators will learn to:

• Identify and assist with enrolling

students in VHS courses

• Manage administrative needs of

VHS students and oversee their

progress in the program

• Field and answer questions from

students, parents and administration

about VHS matters

• Promote VHS to peers, students,

parents and school administration

Some participating schools may benefit from

the use of more than one site coordinator.

Our complimentary Site Coordinator Training

is available to you for multiple staff members.

VHSLearning.org | 978.897.1900

The VHS Teaching Membership