How much does it cost?
Nothing! It’s free; this is part of the public school system provided by Teton School District 401 and the State of Idaho. All curriculum is provided.
Is a computer provided?
A Chromebook is provided for each TOS student.
Is there a reimbursement for Internet access?
Families are required to provide their own reliable, Internet access for TOS students. No reimbursement is offered from Teton School District 401. Exceptions are available for students facing homelessness or unstable housing situations.
How long is the school day?
As required by the State of Idaho:
- Grades 6-8: 5½ hours per day (27½ hours per week).
- In Idaho, online schools can count progress as full-time attendance.
- Students must complete a week’s expected progress each week to be considered full-time attended, as long as it is completed by the following Monday morning.
What do you mean by Enrichment by Choice?
Teton Online School students can choose how involved they want to be in Teton Middle School enrichment activities like clubs, music, guest speaker assemblies, field trips, or other fun activities like “What’s Inside Wednesdays” and Winter Sports. TOS students will have their own home-room teacher at Teton Middle School and can choose to take advantage of the many opportunities available through a public school setting.
What progress is expected?
- The average commitment is approximately 3% progress weekly; while the actual number of lessons varies by course, core courses are typically 5 lessons per week.
- If the TOS student progresses an average of 3% per week, over 36 weeks of the school year and taking into account vacation days, it will ensure on-time completion by the last day of May, which is the last day for TOS students to access online coursework.
How often do teachers teach required classes?
Teton Online School teachers do not hold a required class meeting time for coursework. As-needed tutoring, in person, on the phone, or online, is offered for each TOS student.
Is enrollment just for Teton School District 401?
No, enrollment is open across Eastern Idaho. An open-enrollment form admits the student to District 401 and into Teton Online School.
Why Only 6th-8th Grades?
As a school district, we are thrilled to bring this program to our community. As a school district, we have determined the best way to pilot the progam is to have TOS available for students in the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades; they will be part of Teton Middle School.
If your student is in 4th or 5th grade, and you are interested in schooling-at-home for these younger students, please contact TOS at the Middle School.
Within the next two years, we hope to open this program to K-12 students in Teton Valley.
What is the role of the parent/learning coach?
- Parents are the most obvious choice to serve as their child’s learning coach. Please set aside enough time to support each TOS student.
- Students in the 6th grade will most likely need some support from their learning coach; students can work independently, if able. Please do not enroll your 6th-grade student into TOS if there is no adult at home to work with the student.
- Students in 7th and 8th grades require some planning and assistance from their learning coach; they are more independent and will have a direct relationship with their Teton Online School teacher.
What if my student needs more help?
Teachers will provide additional tutoring or small group instruction. Working regularly with the TOS teacher, through communication, shared student work, and tests, will help the TOS teacher know if a student needs additional help.
What if my student can go faster, in one subject or all subjects?
- Teton Online School is a mastery-based program. Students are assigned courses based on individual levels. For example, a 6th grader can be completing 7th-grade math and 8th-grade science, but need assistance to be at grade-level in reading.
- If a student is able to complete courses more quickly, they will be advanced in that course, as long as a balance is maintained with progress in other courses. Our goal is for the TOS curriculum to serve students and empower them to reach their potential.
What is the role of the Teton Online School teacher?
- Be the first point of contact for parents and TOS students
- Be available 8:00 am – 4:00 pm, Monday-Friday, by phone, text, or email
- Overseeing progress in the Online School
- Collect and review work assignments and provide constructive feedback
- Collaboratively develop Individual Learning Plans for students who are not working at the expected pace, for a variety of reasons
- Providing face-to-face or virtual supplemental instruction to support student learning
- Develop and explain accommodations or modifications to the curriculum
- Reviewing standardized assessment scores for on-track student growth
- Conducting one parent-teacher conference each semester
- Providing support through a newsletter to TOS students and their families
- Providing a report card at the end of each of quarter to ensure successful, on-time completion of the curriculum at a pace and hourly progress rate that complies with state law
- Administer tests as required
What is the role of the Teton Online student?
- Work daily, completing all TOS assignments, whether online or offline, as required by the daily plan
- Demonstrate full-time enrollment and attendance through attendance hours, logged progress, and work submitted to their TOS teacher in Math and English Language Arts (ELA) each trimester
- Complete standardized testing
