Student Handbook

MISSION   

Homeschool Companion Virtual High School exists to show teens, Jesus, nurture their love for Him, teach them to think, and empower them to serve. 

PHILOSOPHY

MRG Media Ministries operates Homeschool Companion to provide spiritually-oriented educational support for homeschooled teens. A belief in the existence of the Creator God is fundamental in our school's philosophy. We respect His divine authority and recognize His intervention in human affairs. We believe a proper education develops each student's spiritual, mental, and physical powers. It prepares them for the joy of service in this lifeequal andthe higher joystudents GPA of service in the future. To achieve this goal, we encourage each student to:

• Develop a personal relationship with God and their fellow men as stated in Matthew 2:37-39;
• Master basic academic skills.
• Value physical and mental labor as the blessing God intended.
• Cultivate respect for physical fitness, mental ability, and moral purity, thus developing a unique relationship with God,
• Serve others as opportunities present themselves.qualified equalequal and andcompletingand and studentsequal and GPA student equalqualified GPA permit completing

LOCATION

Homeschool Companion's Virtual High School serves homeschooling teens across North America who are seeking an education that emphasizes exceptional academics, develops self-discipline, and serves the community with faith-based character growth. Our headquarters are in Smithsburg, Maryland. 

Local area students are welcome to participate in band, choir, and handbells, which will be performed at various churches and at graduation. Seniors are welcome to graduate with their online peers in a virtual graduation service or travel to Maryland.

ADMISSION

Students in grades seven through twelve who express and demonstrate a sincere desire for learning, a willingness to cooperate with the culture of virtual high school policies, and mutual respect are welcomed. However, admission is a privilege, not a right, and Homeschool Companion may withhold or withdraw students at its discretion.

Admission is based on the following:

· Credits and transcripts from the last school or home school attended;

· References from a pastor . a non-related adult;

· Immunization records or a letter of exemption;

· Financial support – However, students may enroll pending financial approval.

We are happy to help students without current transcripts by reviewing any evidence, such as the following:

· Portfolio

· Standardized/placement tests

· Pertinent homeschooling material

· An interview with the student

ADMISSION DATES

It is standard for students to enroll at the beginning of a semester. However, late admissions are allowed to maintain the integrity of a student’s academic program. We practice open enrollment.

CLASS LOAD

Students may register for as many or as few credits as needed. The parent can verify this need at any time. We are happy to include classes taught at home in a transcript. The academic standards committee must grant qualified students permission to take more than eight credits per semester.

CLASS MEMBERSHIP

To be classified as a Freshman, verification of successful completion of eighth grade from a standard or homeschool program. 

Membership in the Sophomore class requires the completion of a minimum of five secondary credits. 

Junior class membership requires the completion of a minimum of ten secondary credits. 

Senior class membership requires the completion of at least sixteen secondary credits. 

We can assist students through our educational consultation feature to obtain homeschooling credits by interviewing the families to see what real-life experiences may be converted into academic credit. 

The registrar will evaluate each student’s records as soon as the homeschooling documentation/transcripts are received and after the close of each semester. 

DEFINITION OF CREDIT

A 40-minute class period (200 minutes per week) or equivalent for 180 days defines one Carnegie Unit of credit. This standard does not exclude flexible scheduling and varying time modules.

FOUR-YEAR SENIOR

A four-year senior is a student who has earned eight semesters of grades from Homeschool Companion Virtual High School. A student who accelerates may be considered a four-year student. This designation is for award purposes only. A senior may be classified as a senior based on equivalent credits with a minimum of twenty credits.

GRADES

Teachers use Google Classroom for grades. This allows parents to check their student’s progress from any location, anytime. Grade reports are issued to students and parents by email every nine weeks. A final grade is issued at the end of each semester and is recorded permanently on the student’s transcript. 

GRADING SCALE AND GRADE POINTS

Percentage Grade Points

92-100            A         4.0

90-91              A-        3.7

88-89              B+       3.3

82-87              B         3.0

80-81              B-        2.7

78-79             C+        2.3

72-77             C          2.0

70-71             C-         1.7

68-69             D+       1.3

62-67             D         1.0

60-61             D-        0.7

0-59               F          0

Courses graded with pass/fail  (P/F) do not affect the student’s GPA. 

Other grade designations include:

     I = Incomplete                                   W=Withdrew

     WP = Withdrawl while Passing       WF = Withdrawl while Failing

     LC= Loss of Credit*                          N= No Credit

*failure to meet proof of minimum requirements or academic dishonesty

HONOR ROLL

Honor Roll lists will be designated by the term with Grade Point Average (GPA) as follows:

        Principal’s List 3.75-4.00

Honor Roll lists will be designated by the term with Grade Point Average (GPA as follows:

        Honorable Mention 3.00-3.49

INCOMPLETE 

A student receiving an Incomplete (I) should arrange with their instructor to finish the work. No grade will be issued until the job is completed.

RECORDS

All cumulative records are kept in the registrar’s office in a confidential file. The registrar will maintain these records in a current condition. Grades will be completed by June 30. Only parents, guardians, or students of legal age will be given access to these records.

SEMESTER EXAMS

Students are expected to take semester examinations at the times scheduled except in case of illness or death in the immediate family. Students may request a rescheduled test from their teacher. We will accommodate students who may need more time and constantly look for ways to modify our courses so all students can succeed.

STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO

The student-teacher ratio is planned not to exceed 10:1. 

TRANSCRIPTS

At the end of each school year, one transcript is issued free of charge. There will be a $10.00 fee for each additional transcript requested. Allow 7-10 days to process transcripts. Contact us directly at myhomeschoolcompanion@gmail.com or call 

301-824-3162 if you need the process expedited. 

VALEDICTORIAN/SALUTATORIAN

The valedictorian and salutatorian will be those students taking three or more courses from Homeschool Companion Virtual High School with the highest two cumulative grade point averages in their graduating class and obtaining the College Entrance with an Honors diploma. The grade point average will be calculated after the first semester of the Senior year. We do this to help students win scholarships and awards from outside entities.

WITHDRAWAL FROM SCHOOL

Students who withdraw from school during the year must complete a withdrawal form obtained from the registrar's office. Charges will accrue until the student has been officially removed.

COLLEGE PREPARATORY DIPLOMA

Religion – One Credit for each year in attendance (being involved in your local church can count as your Religion course)

English – 4 credits

Social Science –  3 credits of U.S. History and Government

Mathematics – 1 credit each of Algebra 1 and Geometry,  plus advanced math or consumer math credits. (Pre-Algebra does not apply toward the math requirement for this diploma but does count toward a general student's equivalent GPA certificate..)

Science – 1 credit of Biology plus two other credits in lab sciences

Foreign Language – 2 credits

Physical Education – 2 credits

Computer Competencies – 1 credit

Health – ½ credit

Fine Arts – 1 credit

Electives  – 1-1/2 credits

TOTAL = 24 credits

GENERAL DIPLOMA

Religion – One for each year in attendance (involvement in your local church can count as your Religion course)

English – 4 credits

Social Science – 3 credits, of which one must be U.S. History. 

Mathematics – 3 credits, including one credit of Algebra and one credit of Geometry 

Science – 3 credits

Physical Education – 2 credits

Computer Competencies – 1 credit

Health – ½ credit

Fine Arts – 1 credit

Electives – 11/2 credits

TOTAL = 22 credits

SUGGESTED OUTLINE OF COURSES

FIRST-/SECOND-YEAR STUDENT

Religion

English 

Pre-Algebra or Algebra or Geometry

Environmental Science or Biology

Physical Education 

World History

Freshman Seminar/Keyboarding Computer Competencies

Health

Elective(s)

JUNIOR/SENIOR

Religion

English 

Algebra II, Geometry, or Advanced Math, Calculus

Chemistry, or Chemistry in the Community, Physics, or Forensic Science

American History or Government

Spanish 1 or Spanish 2

German 1 or German 2

Classes Taught 

ART

A Jackson   Drawing Anime--1/4 Credit

G Harman   Creative Card Making--1/4 Credit

V Jennings   Arts & Crafts--1 Credit

BIBLE

V Jennings   World Religions--1 Credit

V Jennings   Christian Denominations--1 Credit

V Jennings   Steps to Christ--1/2 Credit

V Jennings   Genesis and Me--1 Credit

F Laughlin   Follower to Disciple 1st Sem--1/2 Credit

F Laughlin   Disciple to Disciple Maker 2nd Sem--1/2 Credit 

CAREERS

F Laughlin   Tutoring neurodiverse students  1 Credit 

TBA              Career Exploration Careers

V Jennings   Creative Writing, Editing, & Publishing--1 Credit

V Jennings   Introduction to Writing Poetry--1 Credit

V Jennings   Freshman Eng--1 Credit

V Jennings   US Literature/Culture--1 Credit

V Jennings   British Literature/Culture--1 Credit

EXECUTIVE SKILLS

C Dye   College Prep/Trade school school Life 101

HISTORY

V Jennings   World History--1 Credit

V Jennings   British History & Culture--1 Credit

V Jennings   US History & Culture--1 Credit

LANGUAGES

G Harman   German 1--1 Credit

G Harman   German 2--1 Credit

F Laughlin   Spanish for Native Speakers--1 Credit

F Laughlin   Spanish I, Novice--1 Credit

F Laughlin   Spanish II--1 Credit

MATH

C Dye   7/8 Math--1 Credit

C Dye   6/7 Math--1 Credit

R Gamblin   Math Placement Tests

R Gamblin   Algebra 1/2--1 Credit

R Gamblin   Geometry--1 Credit

R Gamblin   Algebra 1--1 Credit

R Gamblin   Algebra 2--1 Credit

R Gamblin   Pre-caluculus--1 Credit

MUSIC

C Dye   Music Appreciation--1 Credit

C Dye   Flute--1/2 Credit

C Dye   Piano--1/2 Credit

A Jackson   Oboe--1/2 Credit

A Jackson   Voice--1/2 Credit

A Jackson   Music Composition--1 Credit

A Jackson   Song Writing--1 Credit

MUSICAL PERFORMANCE GROUPS

We are happy to credit you for musical/dance groups you may already be part of. Here are some examples:

Ensemble – ½ credit

An ensemble is designed to develop extensive comprehensive involves cover with teamwork, listening, and following a conductor. The students will rehearse and perform a varied repertoire drawing on music from different cultures and styles and start composing or arranging for the symphony orchestra’s instruments (strings, winds, brass, percussion). 

Choir – ½ credit

A choir or vocal group involves skills, interest, and love of vocal/choral music. This course seeks to develop vocal techniques, sight-singing, musicianship, and ensemble skills. The challenging repertoire will be drawn from the Renaissance to Contemporary periods, reflecting different languages and cultures. 

ELECTIVES

Publications/Yearbook – ½ credit

This elective course introduces and develops skills in journalistic writing, photography, layout, editing, and publishing software (Adobe Photoshop & InDesign). Students apply these skills in publishing Stars, the school yearbook. The yearbook staff works under the leadership of a student editor. Emphasis is given to graphic design, as well as to organization, group effort, and timeliness in meeting deadlines. Class size is limited.

Drama – ½ credit

Students will be involved in a stage production--positions which include acting, stagehands, choreography, costuming, sound enhancement, props management into periods between, lighting, and music. Performances will be for a Christmas program and an Easter program. Puppets are also included. 

Other Electives

Students can create electives around their family culture, work,  and events. These may include travel study trips, personal health goals, community events, and church activities.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Although parents track most attendance, Homeschool Companion Virtual High School expects students to meet all scheduled appointments. Tardiness to classes will be managed in the classroom. Students are tardy if they enter the virtual room after the class start time (beware of time differences--all classes are scheduled in EST). 

Excused Absences:

· Illness

· Death in the family

· Pre-approved dental or medical appointments

· Pre-approved parent-initiated absences and travel

·Technical problems

Unexcused Absences:

· Arriving more than 10 minutes late

· Leaving class without permission

· Missing class without a valid excuse

· Non-pre-approved dental or medical appointments

· Non-pre-approved parent-initiated absences

· Disruptive behavior in class

The above items are considered unexcused absences for the attendance participation grade.

How to get your absences excused: 

If a student is to be absent from the virtual classroom, a parent or guardian must call/text the teacher as soon as possible. 

MEDIA/TECHNOLOGY POLICY

The virtual high school prohibits unauthorized photographs and audio or video recordings using cell phones, PDAs, laptops, or other recording devices during class. Recording or using various media devices may only occur when authorized by the teacher for participation in the educational process.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

A one-time $75 registration fee for the yearbook, transcripts, administrative services, and insurance. Each course costs $70 per month per course ($700 per year). There may be additional charges, such as Biology and Chemistry labs. 

Families are responsible for purchasing their own textbooks and student supplies. Invoices for purchased courses will be emailed as a reminder when necessary. We do everything we can to keep the tuition affordable. 

To apply for financial aid, you need to be willing to have a virtual meeting with our treasurer and assistant principal to provide your personal tax information. And any other information concerning the financial hardships you may be experiencing.