Frequently asked questions
How will online classes work?
What platform will be utilized for online classes?
Students enrolled in Houghton Academy Online will be utilizing the TotalView School learning management system for instruction, email communication, managing their work, tracking grades and more.
Will online students be able to interact with their teachers and classmates?
Yes, students will be able to interact both with classmates and their teachers during their scheduled synchronous sessions, during office hours or as arranged by the students and their classmates or teacher.
Will our local teachers be teaching the online classes, or will you be hiring new teachers?
Online teachers will most likely include current Houghton Academy teachers as well as others hired solely to teach online. Our pool of teachers includes certified teachers, professors and practitioners from a wide variety of related fields such as ministry, medical fields, business and more.
Will you offer Advanced Placement Courses?
A limited number of AP courses will be offered. Additional fees will be assigned for enrollment in these courses.
Will online students be able to take dual credit college courses?
Yes, current dual enrollment classes through Grand Canyon University, Houghton College and Roberts Wesleyan College will be offered but are dependent upon minimum enrollment numbers. The cost benefit offered students to obtain college credit through these dual enrollment courses is significant therefore HA Online continues to work with our college partners to expand these opportunities.
Are there supplemental materials needed for courses and costs for these materials?
Students enrolled in online courses with supplemental material needs will be provided with these materials at no cost for the 2020-2021 school year. In subsequent years families will have additional costs for these supplemental materials associated with certain courses.
Will middle school be offered online?
For the 2020-2021 school year we will not be providing online instruction for grades 6-8. The viability of extending the online platform to the middle school level will be assessed and a decision will be made by the Spring of 2021 regarding the extension of online learning to the middle school level.
Will it be possible for students traveling from considerable distances to choose to mix online courses with courses taken on campus to help families address logistical or travel challenges?
Yes. Parents with challenges such as this should discuss options with the appropriate Houghton Academy administrator.
Can online/blended students who live nearby play sports and participate in other extra-curricular activities?
Is Houghton Academy Online accredited?
Houghton Academy's founding school is dually accredited through the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA-CSS). We will be initiating the accreditation process for Houghton Academy Online with both these organizations beginning this fall. Additionally, K12 who has developed most of our curricula is accredited through AdvanceED now known as Cognia.
Who will award diplomas and will these diplomas be recognized by colleges and universities?
Diplomas will be awarded by Houghton Academy Online. Houghton Academy and K12 affiliated schools have a proven track record in its students acceptance at premier post secondary colleges and universities.
What is career readiness education?
Simply put, career readiness education seeks to prepare students to be successful in life after high school, whether that’s college, career or both. Through our career readiness program, students will have the opportunity to explore several high demand career fields such as informational technology, business and medicine. The range of opportunities will continue to expand including a wide range of career fields.
Would my student have the opportunity to complete their high school education on the Houghton Academy campus?
Absolutely. Students interested in transitioning from online to the Houghton Academy campus should initiate this discussion with their guidance counselor. Students who choose to complete their high school degree on our campus will be immediately eligible to participate in interscholastic athletics and all Academy co-curricular activities provided all eligibility requirements are met.
Do you offer SAT/ACT prep?
Yes. SAT/ACT prep classes will be offered both semesters by experienced educators.