Approved Providers

Bethel Online Academy

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Website: boa.bethelsd.org
Email: wriley@bethelsd.org
Phone: 253.683.6830
Fax: 253.683-6849

School District: Bethel

Grades Served: 7-12

OSPI Approval

Approved as an Online School Program from the 2011-12 through the 2014-15 school year.

Access

Student Enrollment Instructions:

Students apply through our online process or in person at our Bethel Online Academy store front. Based on seat availability and validation that they are a resident student, parent or guardian submits a complete registration packet. If the student has special eduction services, the I.E.P. team meets to ensure placement and services for the student. If the student is an out-of-district candidate, they are referred to their resident district to obtain the appropriate district release before continuing the enrollment process. Once the student’s application and registration materials have been completed and approved, the student is scheduled an orientation. The student’s orientation will provide the initial steps of creating the student’s individualized learning plan, educational targets and timelines, initial program start-ups, academic and technical supports, teacher and advisor contacts, course of study, and beginning access into our distance learning platform and services. A face-to-face orientation is available to provide personalization and hands-on access to our program. Student intakes occur approximately every six weeks. Personal connection and representation is available to students desiring blending services and program with neighborhood school and area programs.

Overview

The Bethel School District in 2003 created Bethel Online Academy (B.O.A.). Our distance-learning school is an accredited program that provides a choice alternative to traditional education. B.O.A. implements curriculum and delivery systems aligned to district and state standards that are validated by our district’s Curriculum and Review Team process. Our 7th – 12th grade distance learning program serves self-motivated students who are looking for individualized education options with flexibility to achieve high academic standards. Our students have the opportunity to obtain a high school diploma with necessary skills to be successful in multiple post-high school endeavors. Students’ individual needs are met through personalization. Students have choices to use distance learning as well as Monday – Friday walk-in labs where students can have face to- face contact with teachers to enhance their computer-based curriculum. Students can speak with their teachers and advisors by phone, email, electronic means, or in person. Each student receives a personal learning plan through their academic advisor. Running Start and Skill Center programs are available to integrate.

Our distance learning program offers core, elective, and Career and Technical Education courses. Bethel Online Academy is staffed by Bethel School District teachers that hold highly qualified certificates in all academic areas that they instruct. District bus transportation is available throughout our school district to support student access to our academic support labs. Our 24 hour, 7 day per week program has teclmical and academic support systems. Parents and students can petition for extended year support to assist deeper academic achievement and/or course recovery opportunities. Extra curricular activities are also available throughout the school year, including athletics for district students at their neighborhood school, as well as blending academic programs that students may desire to have such as music, drama, lR.O.T.C., and hands-on technical classes.

Course Offerings

Aventa Online Courses are the main provider for our student course offering for 7-12th grade.

Students

Our student population comes to us as an option for their traditional high school. Most of our students are AT RISK. Several of our students are considered 5th year seniors. The majority of our students are working to make up courses and catch up from struggling in the traditional high school program.

Instructional Model

This program is unique in that we have an open lab for students who are in need of extra help sessions. The students can meet with their teachers or work in our lab when they are in need of extra one on one help. Most of our program is run through the AVENTA curriculum. We do make contact with our students once a week synchronously via the phone, in person, or through the use of Elluminate Sessions. There are several options for students to be successful in our program and several options for help sessions.

Curriculum Alignments

The AVENTA curriculum was an approved program by Washington State and aligns with all state standards in each curriculum area.

Accreditation

We are currently working on our State Accreditation. Northwest Regional Accreditation Commission has accepted our plan for state accreditation and we are currently on a provisional plan working toward full accreditation.

Instructor Certification

All of our staff is considered highly qualified in the areas they teach and all are state certified and endorsed in the areas that they are currently teaching.

AP Audit

No AP courses offered

Courseware Platform

We use AVENTA Learning Platform,
Moodle,
SKYWARD (EA +) for parent teacher communication and grading.
MyBethel at mybethelsd.org as a source for links to classes other important information.

Student Performance and Demographics

Teacher-to-student ratio: 1:30

Course completion rate: N/A

Course pass rate: N/A

Student Satisfaction Survey

Average Student Satisfaction:
3.3 (23 responses)

Sample Comments

(Somewhat Unsatisfied)
12th grade student enrolled full-time. (May 27, 2011)

Bethel Online Academy was an interesting experience for me. I loved being able to work at my own pace however when it came to getting help from the staff or teachers, I had a really hard time. Sometimes it would take days to get a reply on an email. Not only that, both my family and I had a very hard time ever reaching anyone at the BOA office. They were terrible at answering the questions we needed and helping us out. Since I am a senior, I obviously had a lot of questions regarding graduating on time and getting everything I needed to do that, and the advisor at BOA was not very good at answering my questions at all. I kind of felt like I was left in the dark and felt a little lost at most times while attending Bethel Online. Although I had two really great teachers, the majority of the staff was very frustrating for me and I am so glad that this school year is almost to an end.

(Very Satisfied)
12th grade student enrolled full-time. (May 28, 2011)

I really appreciate the online experience offered by BOA. I find it quite forward thinking to have online educational programming. And, I found the interactions with the staff to always be helpful and positive.

(Very Satisfied)
Parent of a 12th grade student enrolled full-time. (May 27, 2011)

My daughter was having difficulty in the math sequence...she was at the pre-calculus level but it was found to be extremely difficult for her. We enrolled her in the BOA doing segmented math. She was able to complete the program and felt accomplished when she was done. She is on track for graduation this 2010-11 school year. I appreciate all the help and information the BOA staff provided.

See all survey results and comments for Bethel Online Academy