Digital Learning Department

Website: www.orcasislandschools.org
Email: bkline@orcas.k12.wa.us
Phone: 360 376 1598
Fax: 360 376-1524

School District: Orcas Island School District

Grades Served: K-12

OSPI Approval

Approved as an Online School Program from the 2012-13 through the 2015-16 school year.

Access

Overview

The Orcas Alternative for Student Initiated Studies School (OASIS) began in 2001. The school was created by a group of parents working in partnership with the Orcas Island School District’s administration. Their goal was to create an alternative-education school within the district, based upon the Washington State law for Alternative Learning Experience (ALE) programs (WAC 392-121-182). In 2005 when the state changed the rules governing ALE programs, the OASIS school’s program policies and procedures changed to take advantage of this greater flexibility and to comply with the requirements for increased accountability.

Parents have a strong voice in the operation of OASIS. The OASIS Site Council is a dedicated, active group of parents who are elected to two-year terms. The Site Council is composed of the elementary school principal, an OASIS certificated teacher, and seven parent representatives.
OASIS K-12 is an alternative educational program operated by the Orcas Island School District. While each student’s learning plan is unique, and there is considerable flexibility in determining the content of a student’s course of study, all learning plans must support Washington State’s articulated learning goals.

Course Offerings

OASIS K-12 serves students from Kindergarten through 12th grade. We offer a high school diploma and all of the course work that will lead to a high school diploma from K- 12th grade. The program is flexible and open ended allowing us to support students and families in many different ways.

Students will work with their supervising teacher to enroll in online classes which are available for students in 4th through 12th grades. Online classes are available through APEX learning and the Digital Learning Department. For a comprehensive overview of the wide variety of classes offered through APEX see: http://www.apexlearning.com/Home.htm APEX provides strong support for students and clear orientation and guidelines for success in online classes.

All APEX online classes have a highly qualified OASIS teacher to teach and personalize each APEX class for the student. Note that many classes that students take are not online. Most students have a combination of types of classes based on their individual interests and needs. The written student learning plan, developed by the Supervising OASIS Teacher in collaboration with the student and parent, outlines all courses, online and offline, that the student is enrolled in.

Advanced Placement and special interest classes can be added to the students course load through the class offerings at the DLD (Digital Learning Department) at OSPI. To see what classes are available through the DLD see: http://digitallearning.k12.wa.us/online_courses/ The DLD classes also have excellent orientation and support for students.

Students

OASIS is an accredited K-12 school that offers a high school diploma based on Washington State Standards. The school’s intent is to provide an innovative and flexible model that supports the education of a diverse student population.

In the OASIS K-8 program, students learning experiences are primarily completed off campus with parents serving as educational partners with their OASIS teacher. Each student’s learning plan is unique and there is considerable flexibility in determining the content of a student’s course of study. All learning plans must support Washington State’s articulated learning goals.

Our OASIS High School teachers help students and parents design a program that allows the student to meet high school requirements at their own pace and matching their own learning style. Some students prefer to have all of their classes online and some students prefer to have only parts of their classes online; we work with the student and family to provide the best possible combination for each student. In addition to online classes, there are a wide variety of classes that can be offered or created for students by our highly qualified teachers. All classes offered meet state and national standards and are eligible for credit towards graduation.

Instructional Model

OASIS K-12 is governed by the ALE rules and program requirements. Students must have a written learning plan, weekly contact with their teacher, a monthly assessment check in and annual assessments all documented in WINGS.

Weekly communication with teacher is a required part of the student’s written student learning plan.
This time may be in person or by phone or electronically. It may be more often than one time week but at least one time a week is required. Students should be sure that they understand the requirements for communication. Teachers will work to make sure that this requirement is clear to the student and parent. This communication is documented in the WINGS online management system.

Curriculum Alignments

All of our classes are aligned to Washington state standards.

Accreditation

OASIS K-12 is accredited by the Northwest Accreditation Commission

Instructor Certification

All OASIS teachers are certificated in the state of Washington. All OASIS teachers are highly qualified in the areas to which they have been assigned.

AP Audit

We use Digital Learning Department (DLD) approved classes for Advanced Placement courses.

Courseware Platform

We use Wings for the student’s learning plan. APEX Learning and the DLD provide our online classes.

Student Performance and Demographics

Teacher-to-student ratio: 30

Course completion rate: 90

Course pass rate: 95

Student Satisfaction Survey

OASIS K-12 did not participate in the student satisfaction survey.

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