Welcome to Virtual Highschool High School Handbook

Handbook Information

MISSION  

Homeschool Companion's mission is to assist parents in providing a Christ-centered educational experience that fosters holistic development, empowers students to reach their highest potential, and contributes positively to society. 

PHILOSOPHY

MRG Media Ministries operates Homeschool Companion to provide spiritually-oriented educational support for teens. It is committed to nurturing each student's mental, physical, and spiritual growth, thus preparing them for a life of service to God and humanity. Our curriculum integrates faith and learning, cultivating critical thinking, moral integrity, and a lifelong love of learning. 

LOCATION

Homeschool Companion's Virtual High School headquarters is in Smithsburg, MD.

ADMISSION

Homeschool Companion welcomes 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. However, admission is a privilege, not a right, and Homeschool Companion may withhold or withdraw students at its discretion.

Admission:

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

· References from a pastor or other non-related adult;

· 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. However, the academic standards committee may permit qualified students to take more than eight credits per semester.

CLASS MEMBERSHIP

• To be classified as a freshman, a student must verify successful completion of the eighth grade from a standard or homeschool program.
• Membership in the Sophomore class requires completing 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.

Homeschool Companion can assist students in obtaining homeschooling credits by interviewing the families to determine whether any experiences can be converted into academic credit.

Our registrar will thoroughly evaluate each student's records as soon as the documentation/transcripts are received and after the end of each semester to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the student's progress.

DEFINITION OF CREDIT

One Carnegie Unit of credit is a 40-minute class period (200 minutes per week) or equivalent for 180 days. 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, whether at a regular or accelerated rate. This designation is for award purposes only.

GRADES

Parents issue a student's grades in consultation with Homeschool Companion teachers. Final grades are issued at the end of each semester and recorded permanently on the student's transcript.

SUGGESTED GRADING SCALE

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 GPA.

Other grade designations include:

I = Incomplete                                    W=Withdrew

WP = Withdrawn while Passing         WF = Withdrawn while Failing

LC= Loss of Credit*                            N= No Credit

*failure to meet proof of minimum requirements or academic dishonesty

INCOMPLETE

Students receiving an Incomplete (I) should arrange with their instructors to finish the work. Grades will be issued once the assignments are completed.

CUMULATIVE RECORDS

All cumulative records are kept in the registrar's office in a confidential file to which only parents, guardians, or students of legal age have access. Final grades will be issued by June 30. 

SEMESTER EXAMS

Students may be required to take semester examinations or complete projects at scheduled times. Exceptions include:

• Illness.
• Death in the immediate family.
• Special accommodations to modify courses so all students can succeed.

STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO

Our student-teacher ratio is at most 10:1.

TRANSCRIPTS

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

or call 301-824-3162.

WITHDRAWAL FROM SCHOOL

Students who withdraw from school during the year must complete a withdrawal form obtained from the registrar's office. Families will be charged for fees until the student is withdrawn.

COLLEGE PREPARATORY DIPLOMA

• Religion – One credit for each year in attendance 

(Involvement in a local church can count as a 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, Advanced Math, Calculus

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

American History or Government

Spanish I or Spanish II

German I or German II

Elective(s)

REQUIRED CREDITS

Pennsylvania homeschoolers need to earn a minimum of 15 credits to graduate high school, including:

• Four years of English
• Three years each of math, science, and social studies
• Two years of arts and humanities
• Six additional credits of electives

Although all subjects are to be covered, they may not be taught every year. Homeschoolers can also earn a Commonwealth Secondary School Diploma by passing a high school equivalency test or completing 30 college-level credits from an accredited postsecondary institution. 

Parents of high school students must keep a log to demonstrate that the home education program provided a minimum of either (1) 180 days of instruction or (2) 990 hours per year at the secondary level (grades 7-12). See 24 P.S. § 13-1327.1(c). A parent, guardian, or legal custodian with a high school diploma or equivalent must supervise the program and present a log of days or hours to a supervisor. Homeschool Companion can be that supervisor.

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

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

There is a one-time $75 registration fee for the Yearbook, transcripts, administrative services, and insurance. Each course costs $70/month ($700/year)—Additional charges may be added for 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.

Financial aid is available for families 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.   

Classes Taught

ART

Crafts--1 Credit     Jennings, V  

Creative Card Making--1/4 Credit   Harman, G   

Drawing Anime--1/4 Credit    Jackson, A    

CAREERS

Tutoring neuro-diverse students  1 Credit  Laughlin, F    

Career Exploration Careers    TBA              

English

British Literature/Culture--1 Credit   Jennings, V  

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

Exploring Poetry--1 Credit    Jennings, V  

Freshman English–1 Credit    Jennings, V  

U.S. Literature/Culture--1 Credit   Jennings, V  

EXECUTIVE SKILLS

College Prep/Trade school school Life 101  Dye, C     

HISTORY

British History & Culture--1 Credit   Jennings, V   

Jennings, V   U.S. Government–½ Credit  Jennings, V   

Jennings, V   U.S. History--1 Credit   Jennings, V   

Jennings, V   World History--1 Credit   Jennings, V   

LANGUAGES

German 1--1 Credit     Harman, G   

Harman, G   German 2--1 Credit   Harman, G   

Spanish for Native Speakers--1 Credit  Laughlin, F   

Laughlin. F   Spanish I, Novice--1 Credit  Laughlin, F   

Laughlin, F   Spanish II--1 Credit   Laughlin, F   

MATH

6/7 Math--1 Credit     Dye. C         

7/8 Math--1 Credit     Dye. C         

Algebra 1/2--1 Credit     Gamblin, R   

Math Placement Tests    Gamblin, R   

Algebra 1--1 Credit     Gamblin, R   

Algebra 2--1 Credit     Gamblin, R   

Geometry--1 Credit     Gamblin, R   

Pre-Calculus--1 Credit    Gamblin, R   

Calculus–1 Credit     Harman, G   

MUSIC

Music Appreciation--1 Credit    Dye, C          

Flute--1/2 Credit     Dye, C

Piano--1/2 Credit     Dye, C

Oboe--1/2 Credit     Jackson, A   

Voice--1/2 Credit     Jackson, A   

Composition--1 Credit     Jackson, A   

Song Writing--1 Credit    Jackson, A   

MUSICAL PERFORMANCE GROUP

Ensemble – ½ credit    

Choir – ½ credit    

RELIGION

Christian Denominations--1 Credit   Jennings, V   

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

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

Following Jesus--1 Credit    Jennings, V   

Leadership Class–Adulting 101–1 Credit  Jennings, V   

World Religions--1 Credit    Jennings, V 

TECHNOLOGY

Exploring A.I.–½ Credit    Jennings, V  

Tech Tools for Teachers    Jennings, V  

ELECTIVES

Publications/Yearbook – ½ credit

Drama – ½ credit