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.

For residents: Transportation will not be provided by HCPSS, so parents/guardians must provide transportation unless transportation is included in their child’s IEP or 504 plan.

For nonresidents: Parents/guardians must provide transportation for their child to and from school.

Dropping your child off at a bus stop or sending your child home on a bus is not permitted.

Please notify the Office of Pupil Personnel Services if:

No, the school must be within the cluster in which you are assigned. As a .5 or greater full-time equivalent HCPSS employee, you have the following options for your child: 

1. The designated school in the attendance zone where you live 
2. The school to which you are assigned (i.e., the school where you work) 
3. A school within the prescribed feeder pattern cluster based on where you are assigned

If you are a .5 or greater full-time equivalent HCPSS employee (not a temporary employee or substitute teacher) and are the parent as defined by Policy 9000, you have access to the employee benefit. Your child may be enrolled in the school to which you are assigned or into a school within a prescribed feeder pattern cluster.

If your request under the HARDSHIP category is denied and you’d like to appeal the decision, the appeal must be received within 10 school days from the date of the denial. Appeals should be sent to: Policy9000appeals@hcpss.org. The determination letter and any new or additional supporting documentation must be included with your appeal.  

The approved school will be determined by multiple factors, including, but not limited to, school capacity and geographic proximity to the student’s bona fide residence. Final determination of the approved school will be made by the Office of Pupil Personnel Services.