FLDOE Eligibility Presentation
Florida Virtual School (FLVS)
Florida Virtual School (FLVS) is a state-funded, online K–12 public school that is free to all Florida students through age 19. Students enrolled at Aspiring Heights Academy are eligible to take elementary, middle, and high school level courses under the FLVS Flex program. Elementary students may take middle school level courses, and middle school students may take high school level courses if the courses are verified as appropriate. First grade students must have successfully completed a Kindergarten program. Please read our FAQs for additional information.
- What is FLVS?
Florida Virtual School (FLVS) is a state-funded, online K–12 public school that is free to all Florida students through age 19. There are two different Florida Virtual School programs offered to Florida students: FLVS Flex (formerly known as FLVS Part Time) and FLVS Full Time.
1 FLVS Flex provides free teacher-led online courses to students in Elementary school, middle school, and high school. AHA students may enroll in up to six at a time. Statewide assessments are not required. Enrollment is open year-round.
2 FLVS Full Time is online public school. Students enrolled in the FLVS Full Time program follow a traditional 180-day academic calendar, take a standard public school course load, participate in the Florida Statewide Assessment Program, and are eligible for public high school diplomas. There are specific enrollment periods. FLVS is the student's physical school, so students would not also be enrolled in an umbrella school or in a home education program.
- Are there any specific eligibility requirements?
Yes. Students must be legal Florida residents. There are also specific age requirements and limitations. Students must be 5 years old on or before September 1 to enroll in Kindergarten courses, and students must be 6 years old on or before September 1 to enroll in first grade courses. First grade students must also have successfully completed Kindergarten. Students can only enroll in courses through age 19, and all coursework must be completed prior to turning 21.
- How do we sign up?
You will sign up at flvs.net. Please see their step-by-step guide for registration instructions. For the school type, you will choose private school. For the county, you will choose Sarasota (since that is where our school is located). For the school, you will choose Aspiring Heights Academy.
Students with existing FLVS accounts only need to change their physical school to Aspiring Heights Academy under their Academic Profile.
Please see our FLVS page for more information.
- Do we have to provide proof of residency to FLVS since we are providing it to you?
Yes. In addition to providing proof of residency to us, you must also provide proof of residency to FLVS.
- What if my child is taking FLVS courses through another school or homeschool?
Most courses in progress will continue as usual. If your child is taking a course though a district franchise, your child may be able to continue the course if it is also offered at FLVS Flex.
When changing your child's school of record (see How do we sign up? above), you may receive an email from FLVS stating that you need to review your current enrollments with the new Physical School Guidance counselor. We will contact you if there are any issues that need to be addressed.
- How many courses may my child take?
AHA students can to take up to six (6) courses at one time. Selecting both segments in a two segment course counts as one course.
- When will my children be able to start their courses?
Classrooms are usually assigned within 48 hours of courses being verified, but it can take longer if seats are not available. Once classrooms are assigned, students can start their courses. You will want to check classroom status regularly. If you notice an extended delay, please let us know.
Note that students may request a preferred start date, but the preferred start date is the date FLVS will begin the placement process. According to FLVS,
The placement process begins on the preferred start date, assuming all verifications have been received. Students will not be placed before the preferred start date. Once the student’s preferred start date has arrived, students can expect to be placed in their course within just a few days, although the process can, in rare instances take longer. We recommend checking your student dashboard once per day to monitor your placement status.
Placement on your preferred start date is is not guaranteed. - What are the courses like?
FLVS Flex Elementary and middle school students work with their teachers and with the guidance of their parents. Parents are expected to help their children navigate through the course, monitor their progress, and ensure they master course content. FLVS Flex high school students work independently. Sometimes students are required to download (free) software and/or visit external websites to complete assignments. Middle and high school courses include live lessons and classmate collaboration assignments. All assignments are submitted online, including assessments. Periodically, students connect with their teachers on the phone for discussion-based assessments.
- Does FLVS provide school supplies?
No. You need to ensure your child has a computer, an Internet connection, and any supplies needed for the course your child is taking (pencils, notebooks, rulers, software (free), library books, etc.). See the materials list provided with each course and FLVS System Requirements for more information. Your child will also need email access and access to a telephone to be able to communicate with teachers.
- Are the courses taught by teachers?
Yes. Every FLVS course is taught by state-certified instructors-experts in their subject areas. Teachers and students interact regularly through phone, email, text, and Zoom. Students are encouraged to contact their teachers when there is a need of any kind.
- When are teachers available?
Teachers are available Monday through Friday from 8AM to 8PM, and teachers return communication within 24 hours.
- Are students expected to sign into class everyday?
Not necessarily. Students are allowed to work at their own pace and on days and at times that work for them, but they are expected to submit work on a consistent and weekly basis (usually 3-5 assignments a week) unless a pace has been discussed with the FLVS instructor.
Note that according to the FLVS Student Progression Plan, a Flex elementary student
Any student who is inactive (failure to submit daily assignments) for more than 14 days, the teacher will notify the parent that the student will need to submit work, or he/she will be recommended for withdrawal from the program. If the student continues to be inactive, the Teacher on Assignment (TOA) will contact the parent and discuss a learning plan specific to the student’s needs. If the student continues to be inactive after the learning plan is discussed the Instructional Leader / Principal will request a withdrawal from FLVS Flex Elementary.
- How long do courses take to complete?
Most courses take between 16 and 36 weeks to complete. Courses are divided into segments (semesters), and each segment takes between 16-18 weeks to complete. Some middle school and high school level courses have two segments; some have only one. Students are not required to take both segments of a two segment course. Each high school segment is worth 1/2 credit.
Students may work ahead of pace and finish the course in less time. Also, students may work at a slower pace and finish the course in more time. In either case, it's important that students submit work regularly. We encourage parents and students to reach out to their assigned teachers if they are struggling with the material or the pace.
- What if my child doesn't like a course?
FLVS gives students a 14-day grace period to decide if they want to remain in the course. If a course is too easy, too difficult, or doesn't meet a student's expectations, a student may drop the course without penalty during the first 14 days of being activated in the course. Note that the FLVS instructor will withdraw a student from a course if the student does not submit any work or commit to the course during the 14-day grace period.
- Can my child retake a course?
Your child may retake a course as follows:
- An Elementary student can retake a course if they have not been promoted to the next grade level.
- A middle school student can retake a middle school course if they earn a D or F.
- A middle school student can retake a high school course if they earn a C,D, or F.
- A high school student can retake a high school course if they receive a D or an F.
- How does my child withdraw from a course?
If a classroom has not been assigned yet, the course can be dropped from your child's dashboard. Once a classroom is assigned, you will need to call or email the assigned teacher to request withdrawal. Note that only the enrolling parent/guardian may withdraw their student from FLVS Flex Elementary.
- Does my child have to take the End-of-Course (EOC) Assessments?
No. Our students are not required to take EOC assessments. Students may take these tests, if desired. There are also certain circumstances in which students should take these tests.
- My child's grade level was changed by FLVS. How to I correct this?
This can happen when FLVS starts their new school year. You only need to go into your child's Student Profile and select the correct grade level. Note that FLVS calculates a student's projected graduation date based on their grade level.
What We Need
Because FLVS is a Florida public school, we are required to verify that students taking courses with FLVS meet statutory eligibility requirements to receive Florida public education. This includes verifying the student's age, academics, and residency. We require age verification on enrollment at AHA. If your student will be enrolling in courses at FLVS, we will also need your student's academic records and proof of Florida residency. If your student will be entering first grade, we will need documentation of Kindergarten completion.
What FLVS Will Need
In addition to providing proof of residency to us, you will need to provide proof of residency to FLVS. Students new to FLVS will need to have approved proof of residency on file before they can be assigned to a classroom. (They no longer have a 30-day window from the time the course is verified in which to submit proof of residency.)
What Students Need
Students will need regular access to the following:
- Computer (see FLVS Systems Requirements for details)
- Internet Service
- Telephone
Signing Up
When you (or your student) begin selecting courses, you will be asked for your location. When you are asked to choose a county, you will select Sarasota County because that is where our school is located. Students sign up as Private School students, not Home School students. Students with existing FLVS accounts only need to change their physical school to Aspiring Heights Academy under their Academic Profile . We will be notified when courses have been requested.
AHA students may enroll in up to six courses at a time. Selecting both segments in a two segment course counts as one course. When students are asked whether the course is on their course schedule with their physical school, they should select No, this is not on my class schedule.
Course Approval
We are required to verify that courses are appropriate for students based on their academic history, age, and grade level. FLVS may ask to verify the academic readiness of elementary students requesting middle school level courses.
Advanced Placement Courses
We and FLVS encourage students taking AP courses to take AP exams in May. Students are not required to take AP exams prior to receiving credit for AP courses. If your student is interested in taking an AP exam, please let us know, and we will locate a testing site.
End-of-Course (EOC) Assessments
Aspiring Heights Academy students are not required to take EOC Assessments, but they may be eligible to take them, if desired. If your student is interested in participating in an EOC assessment, please let us know.
Note that Florida Statute 1003.4282 states that a private school student who is transferring to a Florida public high school and whose transcript shows a credit in Algebra I must pass the Algebra I EOC assessment in order to earn a standard high school diploma. If the transfer student's transcript shows a final grade and course credit in Algebra I, Geometry, Biology I, or U.S. History, the transferring course final grade and credit will be honored without the student taking the EOC assessment.
Scholarship Students
All scholarship students enrolled in FLVS courses are responsible for tuition and direct payment to FLVS if scholarship funds are depleted. This includes courses your student in currently enrolled in and/or registered for at the time the scholarship becomes effective. Tuition fees are currently $375 per segment. Please see their page on School Choice Scholarships for more information.
Your Privacy
We are required to supply FLVS with proof of Florida residence for students taking courses at FLVS if requested. We are also required to provide additional information to FLVS as needed about students taking courses at FLVS.
Helpful Links
Here are a few links you may find helpful.
- Sample Course Progression Recommendations Look here to find out which courses students typically take.
- Parent/Guardian Account Create an account here to monitor your student's account and courses.
- End-of-Course Assessments Look here for testing dates and FLVS resources.
- Transcript Request Click here to request an official FLVS transcript.
Things to Note
- FLVS Flex does not provide Speech/Language accommodations or Occupational Therapy accommodations. Some accommodations are built into their courses.
- FLVS Flex does not have a class or program to help ELL students learn the English language.
- FLVS Flex cannot accept transfer work from other schools. Students must complete the entire segment to earn course credit.
- Students must work in a course consistently for a minimum 14 days for a one segment course and 28 days for a two segment course starting from the date of their first submission. Some courses have longer seat-time requirements.
- FLVS Flex Elementary Spanish courses do not correspond with grade level. Each level of Spanish is based on proficiency and builds on the previous level. If your student has not taken a Spanish course before, we encourage you to request Introductory Spanish for their first elementary Spanish course.
