- iSierra Online Academy
- iSierra Blended Program
Program Descriptions
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Welcome to the iSierra Blended Program
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Our vision is to be a leader in online education with our innovative iSierra Blended Program. This program offers a unique partnership with FJUHSD's comprehensive high schools to enable the following for our students:
- Flexible Scheduling: Students can take a majority of their courses online, creating a schedule that will allow them to pursue personal or professional interests.
- Individualized Learning: Students are able to move at their own pace* to achieve mastery.
- Multiple Course Pathways: Allows teachers to differentiate instruction and spend more time working with students one-on-one to address critical challenges.
- Unique Master Scheduling: While taking online courses, students will be able to participate in on-campus arts, science labs, sports, clubs, and other extra-curricular programs on the district's comprehensive campuses.
- Transition from a Home School Environment: Students who have previously worked within an exclusively home school environment can start the transition to a comprehensive campus.
ANY TIME, ANY PLACE, YOUR PATH, YOUR PACE*
*Within pacing guidelines set by the district for semester grading periods and on-time graduation.
How Does the iSierra Blended Program Work?
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Students take up to four online courses through Independent Study, and up to two on-campus courses* - typically a lab science and a fine art - at one of the district's comprehensive high schools. Students are able to participate in campus sports, including CIF athletics, clubs, and other extra-curricular activities.
Students' schedules can be flexed to accommodate off-campus committments, such as community service opportunities, college related opportunities, or the pursuit of professional career opportunities.
Weekly Appointments: For their Independent Study courses, students have a required weekly appointment with a Supervising Teacher, who oversees their online courseload. The appointment can be in-person, via phone, email, or through a virtual conferencing platform such as Zoom or Google Meet. The appointment is 1-2 hours and is to discuss progress, coursework, and take unit tests. These appointments will be set up once courses are scheduled.
Working on Coursework and Coursework Assistance: Students work on their coursework anywhere there is an internet connection. The time and place students work on their coursework is up to the student, as long as the pacing goals are being met each week. Students are also required to meet with their course teachers in-person, via phone, email, or through virtual conferencing platforms such as Zoom or Google Meet in order to receive instruction and/or help with their coursework.
For the on-campus courses, students need to attend at the time the course is scheduled to meet each day. Physical attendance is required.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What if I need to miss an Independent Study appointment?
Students, with parent/guardian knowledge, can reschedule an appointment, as long as it has been arranged in advance with the Supervising Teacher.
What if I need to miss an on-campus class?
Students need to follow the school's absence reporting procedures on the campus where they are taking the class.
Can I come to iSierra/meet with my teacher more often than once per week?
Additional lab time/teacher meetings are possible through discussion with the Supervising Teacher or Course Teacher.
Can I meet with my Course Teachers if I need help?
Yes. Teachers are available in-person, by phone, by email, by text (through Google Voice), and by virtual conferencing (Zoom/Google Meet) during the school day.
Can I earn credits faster in the iSierra Blended Program?
Generally, no. Online courses are paced to earn the same amount of credits in a semester that would be earned if a student were taking all courses on-campus.
How do I earn P .E. credits in Independent Study?
PE credits are earned through a combination of coursework and physical activity. The coursework covers Physical Education topics as prescribed by the California Department of Education. The physical activity is evidenced through Excercise Logs, with credit given for hours accrued, as per the California Department of Education PE Standards.
Can I take more than one course at a time?
Students' course schedule will be determined through consultation with the student, parent/guardian, Counselor, and Supervising Teacher. A variety of scheduling options are possible, including block scheduling styles.
Is this program UC and NCAA approved?
Yes. Students will need to work with their counselor to make sure their course schedule meets A-g and NCAA requirements.