Question 1

How long is the admission process?

Accepted Answer

The process for admission can be completed in less than a week. It requires complete paperwork, placement, and payment. The most important component of the admissions process is complete honesty and transparency about what we can offer and what your child needs to be the best version of themselves.

Question 2

What are the application deadlines?

Accepted Answer

Students may join ISAonline at any time of the year. However, it is best to enter in August or January at the start of the semester.

Question 3

What are the costs?

Accepted Answer

Please visit our Admissions page for up-to-date information on school costs.

Question 4

How is grade level placement of incoming students determined?

Accepted Answer

We will review a new student's previous transcripts, administer placement assessments and speak with the family to determine your child's strengths and areas of improvement. We try to place students with age-level peers while ensuring your child is challenged in just the right way. Nonetheless, students can move between levels depending on their mastery of the content.

Question 5

Does ISAonline provide a device to access the online classes?

Accepted Answer

No, ISAonline does not provide any device for online classes. Families that enroll in ISAonline must purchase their own device.    Students may use a MacBook, Chromebook or Windows Laptop in line with the following minimum specifications:   - 4GB RAM - 128GB Hard Drive - Built in Webcam - No greater than 3 years old  - ‘On-Ear’ or ‘Over-Ear’ headphones with a microphone    Please note tablet devices like the iPad are not compatible with the program offered by ISAOnline .

Question 6

What type of device does my child need to have?

Accepted Answer

Families enrolled in ISAonline must provide their own device. Students may use a MacBook, Chromebook, or Windows Laptop in line with the following minimum specifications:   - 8GB RAM for Windows/Mac, 4GB RAM for Chromebook - 128GB Hard Drive for Windows/Mac, Not applicable for Chromebook - Built-in Webcam - No greater than 3 years old - ‘On-Ear’ or ‘Over-Ear’ headphones with a microphone   Please note tablet devices, like the iPad, are not compatible with the program offered by ISAOnline.

Question 7

Can I access digital curriculum materials “offline” in addition to my online access?

Accepted Answer

Our learning platform does allow for the viewing of course materials offline but currently does not have interactivity capabilities in an offline setting. Students will be able to view and see such materials but will need an online connection in order to create and submit work within our platform.

Question 8

How do students access the learning platform?

Accepted Answer

Students must use their ISAonline G-suite account to access their Live Class, learning platform and other components delivered to school. Through single-sign-on technology, it creates a seamless educational experience in addition to ensuring a safe digital learning environment for every student. Student accounts are created and managed by the school. See our Handbook for more detailed information regarding technology usage policy.

Question 9

Can students put “old” school materials from a personal G-suite account or elsewhere into their ISAonline G-suite account?

Accepted Answer

Students may manage and organize their ISAonline Google Drive in how they see fit. Students are responsible for adding their own school materials to their Drive when they are not automatically delivered through one of their classes.

Question 10

What is the curriculum?

Accepted Answer

ISAonline prides itself on having a global curriculum that is current and relevant to students' lives. Additionally, the curriculum is fully aligned to the Common Core academic standards, with a specific focus on teaching students mastery in communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking so that they may be prepared as citizens in a rapidly changing world and economy. The curriculum will be partially curated Open Educational Resources by ISAonline teachers and partially purchased from curriculum vendors. All purchased curriculum is editable so ISAonline may ensure both its curated and purchased curriculum remains dynamic and responsive to students and their needs in our changing world.

Question 11

What curriculum tools will students be using to support core curriculum coursework?

Accepted Answer

Many! In addition to purchased curriculum tools, teachers and students will utilize Open Educational Resources (OER’s), of which there are dozens. Frequently used OER’s include: PBSLearning, Epic!, Khan Academy, Prodigy and Newsela. All curriculum tools work seamlessly with Canvas and Google Apps for Education.

Question 12

In addition to all academic state standards, what skills will the delivery of the curriculum address?"

Accepted Answer

The teaching of the curriculum will focus on students mastering skills to get ready for their path after graduating high school. This includes our “Four C’s” of communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking. It also includes students receiving instruction relevant to their lives and the world around us. Finally, it includes 21st Century technical skills such as keyboarding, cloud-based word processing, virtual communication and collaboration and other skills transferable to any post-secondary path.

Question 13

How do students interact with each other?

Accepted Answer

A class community is very important at ISAonline. Students have the opportunity to interact daily through live lessons with their teachers and peers, during small group video calls, and through real-time educational technology.  Socializing is a large part of in-person education. With the technology we have today, we are able to ensure learning doesn't occur in isolation.

Question 14

What standardized testing will my student(s) take?

Accepted Answer

Students in our elementary program will be given three diagnostic assessments throughout the academic year in language, reading and mathematics, to ensure instruction is aligned to student needs.

Question 15

Will there be physical materials included with the digital curriculum?

Accepted Answer

Typical household items or art supplies may be needed to complete some of the activities. Each family will recieve a list of materials to prepare before their child starts at ISAonline. No physical materials will be provided by ISAonline.

Question 16

What can students expect in terms of Live Class, and what happens if students miss a Live Class?"

Accepted Answer

Live Class is an integral part of our academic program. Students will have at least one Live Class opportunity per school day, and students are expected to attend Live Class. If Live Class cannot be attended for a valid reason, then our school maintains flexibility for students by recording and posting all Live Class sessions so they may watch and participate according to their individual schedule. This means that students can either attend live or watch the recording.

Question 17

If I have a Live Class, then will I also have a full lesson to complete before or after?"

Accepted Answer

No. Live Class will be the learning activity posted for class for that day. On Live Class days, students will be expected to attend (or watch the recording) and participate, that’s it. There may be some preparation or follow-up work associated with Live Class, but there will no longer be an entire lesson in addition to a thirty to sixty minute Live Class.

Question 18

Can students work ahead or work at a slower than assigned pace?

Accepted Answer

Every student is different and classroom teachers can adjust pacing for students based on their individual needs and what is best for their learning and achievement.

Question 19

Do students only have access to school assignments during school days?

Accepted Answer

No. All published materials in a teacher’s class are available until the due date or availability dates for those materials have passed, including nights and weekends. While teachers are only available during school days and school hours, students can access their coursework from anywhere they can connect online through their laptop.

Question 20

Will students be able to see all the coursework and assignments at once?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily, but that is because a planned module may change based on how student learning is progressing throughout a term. Teachers will make available modules once they are planned, and in many cases this availability will be well in advance of the module’s start date.

Question 21

How will due dates, missing assignments and turning in assignments work?"

Accepted Answer

Teachers will define and customize due dates and lesson pacing for their classes. Student gradebooks will display assignments as having a score or be marked as missing or late depending on when it was or if it was not turned in. Turning in assignments will always happen directly through our learning platform.

Question 22

How will parents access student course content for support and accountability purposes?

Accepted Answer

Parents/Guardians will be able to view grades, course content, due dates, completed school work and other student-specific course items for each of their students through our learning platform. This will allow for parents/guardians to fully support and hold accountable their student(s) as they see fit. Course specifics like due dates, assignments and other tasks are planned and delivered by the classroom teacher. This access will work through both the web-based version of our learning platform as well as through our parent app.

Question 23

Will learning parents need to verify or “mark complete” any lessons or work?

Accepted Answer

No. The teacher will verify and give feedback on assigned student tasks.

Question 24

When will families have access to the new systems in order to learn them?

Accepted Answer

Families will gain access sometime in advance of the start of the school year so they may complete assigned onboarding and orientation courses.

Question 25

How can I support my child's positive use of technology?

Accepted Answer

Common Sense Media provides some great resources on remote learning, social media use, technology at home and more.    https://www.commonsensemedia.org/learning-with-technology https://www.commonsensemedia.org/social-media https://wideopenschool.org/families-and-teachers/for-families/#all/

Question 26

How will parents communicate to the school during the summer?

Accepted Answer

Parents can message all faculty using their isaruba.com email addresses that have been used school-wide this school year.

Question 27

How will teachers and parents communicate to the school during the school year?

Accepted Answer

During the school year, parents can continue using email to the isaruba.com addresses to contact faculty.

Question 28

Do you have a facility where my child can complete their online course?

Accepted Answer

ISAonline does not provide a facility, however, we have a partnership with Educampus.   Educampus is a government sponsored program that provides safe and comfortable learning spaces for students enrolled in an online program. Please contact the program by email at info@educampuslearning.org or by phone at +297 592 5981.