Here are a few frequently asked questions that we receive about the Havasuonline program. If you don't find the answer to a question here, please contact us with your specific inquiry at 1-877-964-7587 or .
Home Schooling
The Online Learning Environment
Enrollment
Testing Requirements
General Questions
Home Schooling
Is Havasuonline the same as home schooling?
Students enrolled in Havasuonline do their learning at home, but they are participating in a high school program of the Lake Havasu Unified School District #1. The curriculum is approved by the school district for earning high school credits that can lead to a high school diploma through Lake Havasu High School.
What kind of diploma will my child receive after completing Havasuonline?
Students who complete all the Lake Havasu Unified School District #1 requirements for graduation will receive a high school diploma from Lake Havasu High School.
My child has been doing regular home school up until now. He/she will be in 11th grade next year and we want him to graduate on time. How will Havasuonline count his/her work done while in home school?
Because every home school curriculum can be different, we will need to review any documentation you have of your child's high school work so we can compare it against the requirements for the State of Arizona. Contact us by phone or email for more information.
My child has an IEP and has been enrolled in Special Education in our home school district. Does Havasuonline enroll students with special needs?
This is determined on a case-by-case basis. The main issue to be considered is whether or not the independent nature of online instruction will be the best fit for a student with special needs. Staff from Havasuonline will discuss your child's situation with you. You may contact us by phone for more information.
. . . . . . . . . .
The Online Learning Environment
We don't have a very good computer at home. Can my child participate in Havasuonline?
Yes! Every full-time Havasuonline student has the option to receive loan of a computer for the duration they are actively enrolled in the program.
Do we have to have high-speed Internet access to participate in Havasuonline?
No. However, families are required to provide Internet in their homes. And while high-speed Internet access definitely makes the experience of learning online much more satisfying, it is not absolutely necessary. High-speed connections are preferred, but courses will run on dial-up connection.
What kind of safeguards are in place to keep my child safe while working on the Internet?
The main content of all Havasuonline courses is available directly through our secure, online student classroom area. In some cases, links provided by teachers direct students to other websites so students can take advantage of the wealth of educational information available online. In addition to limiting the sites to which students must visit to do their coursework, we have added a piece of software on all student computers that filters out sites that are not appropriate for high school-aged children to view. Beyond that, good parental supervision and setting some guidelines for internet use that match with your family values will go a long way in protecting your children from unwanted information on the internet.
Do I have to be at home all the time my child is doing schoolwork?
This is not required, however it is important for your child to know that you are interested in how he/she is doing in school. It is unrealistic for most high school-aged students to handle the total responsibility of an online learning environment, without any parental intervention. The Havasuonline program does not require students to do all of their coursework during the traditional school hours, so it may be beneficial for some families to schedule at least some of their "school time" during hours that parents are home to provide support.
How do I know whether or not my child would be successful doing online learning?
Some of the qualities that we have seen in our most successful students are:
- The ability to work independently.
- The willingness to ask for help when needed. There are many opportunities to get help from teachers, from other students, or from technical support. Students have to be willing to make use of those resources and let someone know if they don't understand something.
- Some internal motivation to succeed in the program. Students who are forced into an online learning environment will be less likely to be successful.
Our family travels quite a bit. Would that be a problem in the Havasuonline program?
As long as internet access is available, students can log into Havasuonline and get to their courses. For trips during which internet access may not be available, students can print off their assignments ahead of time and work from those in order to keep up with their work. Students should notify their teachers by email if they will be unable to access the Internet for a period of time.
What tools are available for students to communicate with each other?
We have a feature on our secure, online student classroom area called Blackboard, which enables students to participate in discussion boards with other Havasuonline students. Topics of discussion may include music, books, movies, politics, sports, etc. These discussion boards are monitored by Havasuonline staff and provide a great way for students to talk about their talents and interests.
What role do the teachers play in Havasuonline?
The teachers play an important role in the Havasuonline program. It is the role of the teachers to meet individual learning needs of the students enrolled in their courses. Teachers have "office hours" and hold weekly sessions during which students can ask questions and have discussions with their teacher and classmates. Teachers are also available by phone and email, and students are encouraged to contact their teachers with questions.
As a parent, how can I check on my son/daughter's progress in Havasuonline?
Parents are assigned an Observer login and password to enter the Havasuonline site. By using this login, parents can go directly to their child's classes and see what assignments have been completed and what their child's grades are at any time.
. . . . . . . . . .
Enrollment
Once we start the school year, can we still change our minds and go back to our home district?
Although we work very hard to make Havasuonline a positive experience for all of our students, if you feel that Havasuonline is not the best choice for your child you always have the ability to return to your local school or to regular home schooling.
Is Havasuonline a private school?
No. Havasuonline is a public high school. It is a program of the Lake Havasu Unified School District #1.
What is a full-time student?
Full-time is defined as four courses or 20 hours a week of instruction.
What student ages qualify for the Havasuonline high school program?
The Havasuonline high school program accepts students of a high school age, up to the maximum age of 21. If a student is 19 years old and entering their Junior year of high school, we recommend that student works closely with their counselor to determine the best academic curriculum.
. . . . . . . . . .
Testing Requirements
Is there required participation in state standardized testing?
All students who enroll in Havasuonline will be required to take all Arizona State mandated tests. If your student will be taking the state mandated tests at a school other than Lake Havasu Unified School District please contact the office to provide information regarding the alternate test site.
What is AIMS testing, and what is required?
The AIMS test is a statewide standards based assessment that measures a student's knowledge against the Arizona Academic Standards. The high school AIMS test is a graduation requirement for any student graduating after December 31, 2005. If you would like more information on AIMS graduation requirements from the Arizona Department of Education go to http://www.ade.az.gov./standards/.
. . . . . . . . . .
General Questions
How do we know if Havasuonline is the right school for us?
We invite you to contact us and learn as much as you can about what Havasuonline has to offer you and your child. Getting as much information as possible is the best way to make an informed choice.
How much time does it take to complete a one-credit course?
A one-credit course is deigned to take 36 weeks or about 180 hours. As a general guideline, in addition to the time you spend online, you should also count on spending time reading, completing assignments, and studying for tests and exams. Therefore, you may need to spend approximately 180 hours to complete a course. This time is a guideline and will vary according to course, study habits, etc. You should assume that a half-credit course will take half as much time as a one-credit course.
How will I be evaluated on my performance?
Progress is measured through quizzes, exams, written essays, assignments, projects, and semester exams.
How do I get help from my teachers if I am having difficulty with my course(s)?
Your teachers will provide feedback on any assignments or projects you complete. You can also contact your teacher via email or through the course message center. In addition, each teacher has regularly scheduled online office hours. During scheduled time, students interact with the teacher and other students in a virtual classroom.
. . . . . . . . . .
