The Overton County Schools Virtual Learning Program is offered for grades K-12. Students receive ALL instruction virtually using Pearson's robust TN-aligned courses and state-certified teachers.  Additional information about Pearson Virtual Schools can be found here.  

Please complete this interest application to assist our admission team in determining eligibility for admission to the Overton County Schools Virtual Learning Program.  NOTE: Completion of this interest application does not guarantee admission to the program.

The admission team will examine all submitted applications, and an email response will be sent as soon as possible containing one of the following:

• further instructions regarding enrollment and orientation (if admitted) 

• statement of denial decision (if not admitted)

• notification of placement on wait list for review next enrollment period (if enrollment is closed)

Applicants should remain enrolled at their current school until contacted with admission decision.

When reviewing applications, the admissions team considers factors such as:

• Attendance: A record of poor attendance may predict inconsistent performance for virtual learners. However, reasons for frequent absences will also be considered.

• Achievement: Low grades may suggest a struggle with the independence and self-motivation necessary for virtual learning.

• Low Credits: Students who are significantly behind in credits are generally not recommended for this program.

• Individual Situation: Each application is reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Overton County Schools virtual students are expected to commit to logging in daily, making adequate progress in courses, and maintaining acceptable grades in order to remain in the program.

A mandatory orientation session will be conducted for all accepted applicants.  At least one parent/guardian is required to participate in the orientation session with the student.

Expectation 1: The OCS Virtual Learning Program is academically rigorous and requires a high level of student autonomy and self-motivation.  Students are expected to login EVERY school day, make adequate progress in all courses, and maintain acceptable grades.  Adult support at home is essential.  

Students are counted "present" based on their daily login to the Pearson platform and will receive a designation of "unexcused absence" for attendance (reported in Skyward) for each school day that they do not log in to the Pearson platform.  Failure to log in for consecutive days could result in an intervention meeting with the School Counselor.  A total of 5 unexcused absences will result in Tier 2 truancy action per Overton County Schools truancy policy.

Students and Parents/Guardians have access to the student's grades and progress at all times within the Pearson platform, and Pearson teachers are readily available for needed academic support or to encourage correction opportunities.  Students failing courses or not making adequate progress will be asked to attend an academic intervention meeting near the close of the 9 weeks term.

Students warranting truancy action, failing to make adequate progress in all courses, or failing to maintain acceptable grades risk being dismissed from the program to return to in-person learning.

Expectation 2: Students are invited to attend whole group live lesson sessions, small group support sessions, and/or independent appointments with teachers as needed.  When in attendance of any of these synchronous learning sessions, students are required to remain visible with cameras/microphones on and abide by teachers' online etiquette rules.      

Failure to abide by these behavioral expectations could result in dismissal from the program.

Expectation 3:   Communication with teachers is vital for success in this program.  Students are expected to respond to ALL communications from teachers in a timely manner (This will include phone calls, texts, and/or webmails).  They are also expected to check their OCS Skyward portal, school email, and Pearson webmail DAILY. 

The Skyward portal and school email are the primary modes of communication for school or district information.  

Pearson's internal webmail is the only mode of email communication used by Pearson teachers. 

Failure to maintain communication is not an acceptable excuse for poor performance and could result in dismissal from the program.

Expectation 4:  Students are required to use district-issued laptops.  (Extenuating circumstances may be discussed with administration.)  It is the responsibility of the student to contact district tech support with any district-issued laptop problems or the Pearson help desk for Pearson platform issues.  RELIABLE INTERNET SERVICE IS A REQUIREMENT.  

NOTE: OCS Tech department does not service/support computers that are not issued by the district.

Failure to fix technology issues in a timely manner is not an acceptable excuse for absences or lack of adequate progress and could result in dismissal from the program.

Expectation 5:  Students are REQUIRED to participate in state testing (AIMSWeb Benchmark/TCAP/EOC) IN PERSON at the designated school campus.  Dates, specific locations, and times will be provided in advance.  

Failure to report for state testing will result in dismissal from the program.

Expectation 6:  Students are enrolled in a Pearson Student Orientation course upon registration, which contains an honor code regarding plagiarized work.  The student is expected to abide by the stipulations outlined in that honor code, and It is the student's responsibility to request a copy of these (from the Pearson advisory teacher) for review if the orientation course is not completed.

Students repeatedly failing to abide by the stipulations outlined in the honor code demonstrate a lack of academic integrity and could result in dismissal from the program.