Do you need to earn additional credits before graduation? Have you failed a course and need to re-take it for credit so you can graduate? Are you a self-motivated learner who enjoys working on a computer? If so, the Lake Washington School District (LWSD) Online Academy may be an option for you. LWSD offers a selection of online courses so that district high school students have additional choices for learning.
Will I be a successful online learner?
It takes a motivated student to be successful in an online learning program. Online courses can be difficult and offer less support than a traditional classroom setting. Here are some of the skills that you will need to be a successful online learner:
Patience - online instruction does not provide immediate feedback from an instructor.
Comfortable with working independently.
Enjoy spending time working on a computer.
Able to meet deadlines - not a procrastinator.
If you possess the above traits and opt to take an online class, you will need to meet with your school counselor to discuss class availability as well as to determine whether online learning is right for you.
About the classes:
The Online Academy classes listed below are taught by LWSD teachers and meet both district and state standards as well as maintain the high standards for content and rigor that are available in all LWSD classes. Students access classes through a web-connected computer. Coursework and online instruction will occur outside of the school day. The classes will appear on their transcripts as if taught at the student’s home school.
The following course options are currently available:
Online World History 1 -
a 1.0 credit class that focuses on the history, economics, geography, and governments of the Pacific Rim region from 1500 to the present. This class can be taken by the semester for 0.5 credit.
Online Washington History - a 0.5 credit class that provides the knowledge and awareness of the geography, native inhabitants, early settlers, and the forces that drove modernization and statehood. Students will also study Washington’s emergence as a force for economic development and international trade. This class meets the Washington state history graduation requirement.
Online U.S. Government - a 0.5 credit class that focuses on the study of the history and development of the U.S. Constitution, our rights as citizens, our political process, and the role of the media in our political process.
Online English 9 - a 1.0 credit class that will build core reading, writing, and thinking skills necessary for success. This class can be taken by the semester for 0.5 credit.
Online Health - a comprehensive 0.5 credit health course that provides students with essential knowledge and decision-making skills for a healthy lifestyle. Students will analyze aspects of emotional, social, and physical health and how these realms of health influence each other. Students will apply principles of health and wellness to their own lives. In addition, they will study behavior change and set goals to work on throughout the semester. Other topics of study include substance abuse, safety and injury prevention, environmental health, and consumer health.
You may choose one of the classes from the list above or from the additional classes listed on the Addendum received during registration through the LWSD Online Academy. Simply add it just like any other class to your course requests.
The above classes and any additional classes listed on the LWSD Online Academy Addendum are the only course offerings currently available. Course options may be expanded next year to accommodate the needs of students.
What does the Online Academy cost?
LWSD’s goal is to keep the cost down as much as possible for students. Guidance counselors will be able to provide the most up-to-date information about costs during the timeframe that you are applying to earn credit.
Courses taken as part of a typical six-period schedule are free. If taken beyond the six-period schedule (as part of a 0- or 7-hour class, for instance), a fee will be required.
If tuition is required, the course must be completely paid for BEFORE a student is allowed to start a class. The course fee will be refunded if the course is cancelled. Refunds for ongoing courses will be approved before the first day of the semester. No refunds will be approved once the semester has begun. If course fees are not paid, credit will not be granted for the course.
For more information about Online Academy, visit the Frequently Asked Questions about the Online Academy page.