Approved Providers

Columbia Tech High

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Website: www.giantcampus.com/wa
Email: info@giantcampus.com
Phone: 509-493-1500
Fax: 509-493-2275

School District: White Salmon Valley

Grades Served: 9-12

OSPI Approval

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

Access

Student Enrollment Instructions:

Students and/or their parents may enroll students in courses by visiting our Web site (www.giantcampuswa.com) and completing our online registration form. As part of the enrollment process, students and families receive a set of forms that must be signed and returned (by fax, mail, or email) to our office before their enrollment is finalized. Once finalized, students receive confirmation of their enrollment, plus information about their class, instructor, and class orientation schedule via a series of automated emails prior to the first of class. Students may also call an enrollment adviser at 888-904-2267 to enroll over the phone.

Overview

Columbia Tech High, in partnership with Giant Campus of Washington, provides supplemental online curriculum to students in Washington State. We believe that blended learning models utilizing high-quality online curriculum offer students an efficient way to expand their educational options.

Developed by an experienced team of educators, subject matter experts, and visual designers, our online courses can provide skills, experience, and quality instruction to put students on a path to personal, professional, and academic success.

Course Offerings

In partnership with Giant Campus of Washington, Columbia Tech High offers supplemental career education electives and core online courses for public, private, and homeschool students in grades 9-12. The full complement of core and elective curriculum includes courses from these main disciplines:

Advanced Placement
Career Education Electives
English Language Arts
General Electives
Math
Science
Social Studies
World Languages

Our career education electives introduce students to today’s fastest growing industries, and provide the foundational skills students need to start careers in business, computer technology, digital arts, and engineering fields. Choose from dozens of semester-length courses covering high-interest topics like:

3D Art – Modeling / Animation
Audio Engineering
Business
Computer Literacy
Computer Science
C++ Programming
Digital Arts
Engineering Design
Entrepreneurship
Flash Animation
Flash Game Development
Game Design
Green Design and Technology
Health Science
Image Design and Editing
Information Technology
Marketing
Personal Finance
STEM

Students

Students from all experience and skill levels find our online courses informative, engaging, and flexible enough to fit into their traditional school schedules. Students may work on assignments during times convenient for them, chat online with classmates, post to class forums, and meet one-on-one with instructors during his or her weekly office hours.

EXPECTATIONS – While the online format may be more flexible or convenient than a traditional classroom for some students, the coursework is still rigorous and requires dedication and focus to be successful. Students must devote time every day to studying, asking questions, completing assignments, and staying in close contact with teachers.

REQUIRED SKILLS – Computer literacy is important for students to be successful in our courses, including the ability to use a computer, correspond via email, navigate with a web browser, follow multiple-step instructions, read and comprehend at a 6th-grade level or above, follow a lesson schedule, and complete coursework on time.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES – Our courses are accessible to people with vision impairments who rely on screen reading software, and are accessible for students with limited mobility who need to navigate course content using a computer keyboard instead of a mouse.

ENGAGEMENT – Growing evidence indicates that CTE programs – with course offerings similar to our career education electives – can improve student learning trajectories by reducing dropouts and absentee rates, improving engagement and achievement, and easing transitions for college-bound students.

BUILDING PORTFOLIOS – The project-based lesson structure of our career education electives offers many opportunities for students to complete challenging design and programming projects, which provide authentic evidence of the skills and knowledge that they have mastered during the course.

Curriculum Alignments

Courses are aligned to Washington State curriculum standards and CTE frameworks. Courses also conform to iNACOL’s standards for quality online instruction and are compliant with Section 508 of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

We also maintain a robust revision and redevelopment schedule to assure that our curriculum reflects the latest in technology education.

Accreditation

The Columbia Tech High online program is accredited by the Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC) and will be incorporated into the Advance-ED Accreditation for the 2012-13 school year.

Instructor Certification

Courses are taught by experienced, Washington State-certificated teachers distinguished by their subject matter expertise, educational training, and dedication to student success.

AP Audit

Columbia Tech High offers courses to prepare students for Advanced Placement (AP) examinations in Biology, Calculus AB, English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition, Environmental Science, Human Geography, Psychology, and U.S. History. All AP courses have received approval from the College Board®.

It is the student’s responsibility to schedule and purchase the AP examinations.

Courseware Platform

Columbia Tech High uses a proprietary learning management system developed by our program partners, called the e2020 LMS, which includes the Virtual Classroom and the e2020 SIS. Students use the Virtual Classroom to complete lessons, vocabulary, assignments, labs, quizzes, and essays, as well as access online content and eResources. Students also have access to instructional support through the LMS from virtual instructors, concept coaches, and live chats with academic success coaches.

Through the e2020 SIS, districts and teachers have access to detailed student reports and retain complete control over a myriad of assessment options that empower schools to accommodate needs, measure concept mastery, and accelerate progress.

Student Performance and Demographics

Teacher-to-student ratio: 7.1 students/teacher

Course completion rate: 82%

Course pass rate: 94%

Student Satisfaction Survey

Data for school year: 2011-2012

Average Student Satisfaction:
4.1 (8 responses)

Sample Comments

See all survey results and comments for Columbia Tech High