No. Innovative Pathways courses meet the same standards as outlined in HCPSS curriculum. Although many courses including related arts and electives will be available, some courses will not be available. The primary difference between traditional, in-person courses and the full-time virtual program is the delivery of instruction, which is a synchronous (live) virtual teaching model.
Virtual program students are subject to the same Attendance requirements as all HCPSS students. Students who are not attending virtual classes or not making adequate academic progress in their course(s) may be subject to withdrawal from the program and expected to return to their assigned high school.
During classes and teacher support sessions, virtual students are expected to actively participate in synchronous (live) instruction using Google Meet. Students are required to use their camera and microphone during class, or they may be removed from their session.
Students will need reliable internet access at home and are required to use a HCPSS-owned Chromebook to access classes. Students may use a personal device to complete assignments outside of class. Chromebook information is available on the HCPSS Student Devices webpage.
Yes. Parents/guardians may still complete an online interest form. If accepted into the program, students currently not enrolled in HCPSS will be required to enroll for the 2024-2025 school year before the first day of school, August 26, 2024.
Parents/guardians may still complete an online interest form. However, interest forms submitted after the August 2 deadline will be reviewed if there is space still available in the program.
The Innovative Pathways Full-Time Virtual Program is a no-cost option for HCPSS students who are entering or repeating ninth or tenth grade during the 2024-2025 school year. As the program has limited enrollment, parents/guardians can complete an online interest form by August 2, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. Interest forms submitted after the August 2 deadline will be reviewed if there is space still available in the program.
The virtual program follows the HCPSS System Calendar. Students have instruction Monday-Friday.
Innovative Pathways students will receive all or the majority of instruction in a synchronous (live), virtual model taught by HCPSS Innovative Pathways teachers. Other elective courses may be taken at the student’s assigned high school, through JumpStart dual enrollment, or through fully online courses. Although it is a full-time virtual program, students will still be connected with their assigned high school.
The Howard County Public School System offers a full-time virtual program option for HCPSS students who are entering or repeating ninth or tenth grade during the 2024-2025 school year. The program provides students the opportunity to take classes and earn credits virtually, while receiving support services from both Innovative Pathways and their assigned high school.
