GCS Virtual Program Application (due July 27)

Comparison of GCS Virtual Program and eLearning for Traditional In-Person Attendance:

In response to the needs of our community, GCS has added a new full-time virtual option for students in grades 5K-12. Unlike eLearning, which was implemented under emergency conditions during last spring's school shutdown, students in the Virtual Program will have a normal daily instructional schedule, earn grades, and receive timely teacher feedback in response to class or homework. Teachers experienced in online platforms and virtual instruction will help and support student engagement using live and recorded lessons and tutorials. We have compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions for your convenience and review.

If you want your child(ren) to participate in the GCS Virtual Program, please complete the application linked below. Because staffing the virtual program requires the removal of teachers from traditional classrooms, we are asking parents to commit to a full year of virtual instruction. However, if a family requests a transfer back to brick and mortar instruction before or at the semester break (January), we will work for a mid-year transition, so long as appropriate space is available.

We recognize it is difficult to make a decision about the full-time Virtual Program without knowing what traditional school will look like this fall, but we can’t wait for the end of July/first of August to staff the Virtual Program. Like you, we are trying to plan and make decisions without knowing what the future holds. Though we do not know for sure how school will be conducted throughout the 2020-21 year, it is LIKELY that students in our traditional program will experience both in-person and eLearning due to changing conditions related to COVID. Any future eLearning will include new material, a more structured schedule, normal grading, and pre-recorded or live lessons with students' regular classroom teachers.

If you want to participate in the GCS Virtual Program during the 2020-21 school year, please complete this application as soon as possible so we can properly staff both our virtual and traditional programs. The application will remain open through July 27 and will be shared via social media and the district website next week. If you have additional questions, you can submit them at gcsvirtual@greenville.k12.sc.us.