Q: What is the curriculum for the North Hills’ Online Academy?
A: The curriculum used for the 2020-21 school year is provided by Accelerate Education. All Accelerate Education courses are aligned to the same state standards as North Hills’ traditionally offered curriculum.
Q: Is the curriculum used in the Online Academy the same? If not, how can my student successfully transfer back to in-person instruction?
A: The curriculum, whether in-person or virtual, aligns to the standards as per the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The curriculum/material used to teach those standards is chosen by the district. Different material will be used in-person, in the classroom versus in the Online Academy. However, the goal is for the student to learn the standard or skill. The curriculum/material used is simply a learning tool. Therefore, returning from the Online Academy to in-person instruction will work because the same set of standards will be taught.
Q: Who teaches the North Hills’ Online Academy courses?
A: Classes for grades K-6 will be taught asynchronously using the Accelerate Education curriculum by Accelerate Education teachers. One synchronous (live) meeting will take place each week with their Accelerate Education teacher. NHSD school counselors, reading specialists, math support teachers and instructional support staff will be accessible to students on scheduled basis. Classes for grades 7-12 will be taught asynchronously using Accelerate Education as the curriculum while facilitated by North Hills School District teachers who will be accessible to students on scheduled basis.
Q: What courses are available for a K-5 student who wishes to enroll in North Hills’ Online Academy?
A: Students in grades K-5 will primarily focus on English Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies. Art is also available as a special or elective subject. View the complete course offerings here.
Q: What courses are available for a 6-8 grade student who wishes to enroll in North Hills’ Online Academy?
A: The complete course list sorted by grade is available at this link.
Q: What courses are currently available for a 9-12 grade student who wishes to enroll in North Hills’ Online Academy?
A: The complete course list for students in grades 9-12 is available at this link.
Q: Can my student try out a course now to see if it's something they like?
A: Unfortunately, no. The Accelerate Education platform was chosen following a thorough review by a committee made up of administrators, teachers and school board members. We also encourage you and your student to watch this overview video showing the platform.
Q: My child wants to take the exact same courses that he/she has already scheduled in North Hills’ Online Academy. Is this possible?
A: No. The online course offerings will not be as extensive as the traditional courses offered. Please use the links above to access current course lists and descriptions.
Q: Can Online Academy students reach out directly to special or elective teachers they’ve previously had for lessons, i.e. band?
A: No. Please contact your student’s building principal or guidance counselor directly if your student is enrolled in the Online Academy and would like to participate in in-person electives or special area classes.
Q: Are Advanced Placement and world language courses available through the North Hills’ Online Academy?
A: A list of Advanced Placement and World Language courses that may be offered based on overall student course demand is available on the last page of the high school course list linked here. Final availability of these courses will be determined by overall student course requests, similar to the process used to determine course availability during the typical scheduling process.
Q: My high school student has honors classes? Can anything be done to accommodate this need?
A: Please contact Assistant Principal Mr. John Lesjack.
Q: Are College in High School (CHS) offered at the high school also offered through the Online Academy?
A: CHS classes are only offered through the traditional schooling option as these are taught in conjunction with university mandates. There are a limited number of AP classes available through Accelerate Education.
Q: How does the Online Academy work with gifted students?
A: Students may select courses from the offerings in each building. Enrichment or extension activities are embedded into the curriculum. In addition, gifted services will still be provided in each building for students as well.
Q: My child has an individualized education plan. How will his/her accommodations be met in the North HIlls’ Online Academy?
A: The accommodations included in the student’s individualized education plan will be considered and met, where possible, in the online program. IEP teams will reconvene to revise SDIs to determine which are appropriate and applicable for online instruction.