How does online school work?
In a typical school day students participate in a mix of live classes, small group work, and one-on-one conferences. Teachers work closely with students and their families, tailoring lessons and opportunities to best meet each student's needs. Students can customize their daily schedule, making it easy to play, travel, spend time with family, go to appointments, and pursue other interests.
Who is eligible to enroll in Fox Valley Virtual School?
Fox Valley Virtual School is a 4K-8th public school for students and families across Wisconsin who want a virtual learning experience.
How do you enroll?
Open enrollment starts in February of each year for the upcoming fall school year. Enrolling is a two-step process. First, families need to complete an application for each student they would like to enroll in the school. Once the application has been approved, a family will be notified and sent the final enrollment paperwork to complete the process. To learn more about the Wisconsin open enrollment process, visit the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction website.
How much does it cost?
Fox Valley Virtual School is a free, virtual public school. There is no cost for Wisconsin families to enroll.
Who teaches my student?
All students are taught by Wisconsin-certified teachers employed by Menasha Joint School District.
How are special services handled for online students?
Fox Valley Virtual School students will continue to receive support and accommodations per IEP and ILP. Case managers will continue to work with your child. All annual meetings will be held virtually.
What technology will our family need?
Students are provided with a Chrome book, document camera, and other supplies, including hotspots. These materials are school property and must be kept in good condition. Parents are responsible for the repair or replacement of all lost, stolen, or damaged school property. All property and equipment must be returned in good, working condition upon withdrawal from or completion of the program. Only students who are 100% enrolled in Fox Valley Virtual will get a laptop for their school work. We do not provide laptops for students who are not enrolled in our school.
What technical support is available?
If you need tech support for your school-provided Chromebook, first email your teacher. If you need further help, call 920-967-1426. Call this number if you do not have any other means of contacting us for technical support. You will go into a voicemail and we will respond as quickly as we can in the order the call was received. Make sure to leave the student's name and phone number to return a call.
Is online school the same as homeschooling?
Online or virtual schools are not the same thing as homeschooling. However, being able to have the flexibility of scheduling your child’s education around your family's needs without the responsibility of creating a curriculum is a modern take on homeschooling. Students in online classes are monitored for progress and Fox Valley Virtual School accommodates learners who encompass various learning styles.
How much time will my student spend on the computer?
We believe that a student’s education and learning are greatly improved by stepping away from the computer! We engage students with a combination of both live teacher-led learning and offline hands-on projects.
How will my student participate in statewide testing?
Students enrolled in Fox Valley Virtual School are required to participate in all district and state-level tests. These tests will be administered by Fox Valley Virtual School.
Students in Grades 4K through grade 8 will take an online screener in literacy and math two to three times a year. These assessments take place virtually. The assessments serve several purposes. They guide instruction, provide a measure of student performance and growth, and ensure that any student needing extra help in reading and/or math is identified and that the learning is supported.
Students in Grades 3-8 will also take the Forward Exam, which is an online assessment that will be administered either at the Menasha Joint School District Administration Office or at locations around the state of WI. Busing for students who are living in the Menasha Joint School District will be offered.
These tests will provide useful information to parents and teachers on your child’s academic progress. The performance of Fox Valley Virtual School students on the state-mandated assessments will also be an integral part of assessing the success of our virtual school.
How do I request a transcript?
- For past students, go to Parchment Transcript Request to create an account and request the transcript.
- For current students, go to Xello Student Transcript Request and use the following information:
- Username: MJ-student ID number
- Password (Initial login): Capital first initial of first name, lowercase first initial of last name, and 6-digit birth date. You will be asked to change your password.
Do I need to provide an immunization record for my student?
To meet state immunization laws, the school requires a complete immunization record from all incoming kindergarten and new students prior to the start of school. The Menasha Health Department staff is available year-round to clarify immunization requirements and other health concerns. If you are unsure about new immunization requirements contact the Menasha Health Department at 967-3520.
Are there any student clubs available?
Fox Valley Virtual School will offer clubs for students depending on grade level. More information will be provided during the first weeks of school. In addition, optional outings will be sponsored at each grade level through our partnership with Heckrodt Wetland Reserves. These activities are not required. Any optional outing will include busing for students living in the Menasha Joint School District.
What is the attendance and truancy policy?
FVVS recognizes that students need to be well-prepared if they are going to be successful, productive adults. Regular school attendance is the first step towards achieving this. Attendance for the week will be done by the teacher the following Monday (after the week has been completed). Absences from virtual school will be determined in the following ways:
- Failure to attend live sessions without communication with the classroom teacher
- Failure to attend required small group sessions in the afternoon
- Failure to complete weekly assignments and/or classroom discussion posts by the end of the week
- Failure to communicate with teachers/staff regarding missing assignments and sessions
Acceptable Excuses
- Illness
- Death in the family
- Vacation with parents will be excused only if a planned absence sheet is filled out. Please find the forms here: English Spanish. Please scan the completed form to your student’s teacher.
- Medical appointments
- School Closure
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