GCS Virtual Programs

Kindergarten through twelfth grade students enrolled in GCSVP take all of their classes online from home. To apply for GCSVP, parents submit an application through BACKPACK. For eligibility criteria, parents should consult with their school counselor. Students enrolled in GCSVP are required to attend live sessions through Google classroom on a set schedule every day and attendance is taken (synchronous).  GCSVP’s full virtual program is free to GCS students, has an administrator, counselors, instructional coaches, support staff and teachers who work directly in the program.  The program is operational in fall and spring terms. Most courses will be offered in the Full Virtual Program. If a course cannot be offered, parents will be notified so they can make an informed decision. Course grades are in PowerSchool; courses are approved by the NCAA.

Seventh through twelfth grade students who wish to take one or two extra online classes to supplement their schedule at the GCS school in which they are enrolled may apply to register in GCVSP courses through their school counselor.  Students enrolled in GCVSP classes manage their own workload and time because classes do not meet on a daily basis (attendance is not taken); although, deadlines are set for submission of work.  GCVSP’s classes are taught by regular teachers in GCS regular schools so most of the communication between students and their teachers is outside the school day (asynchronous).  Most GCVSP classes are one unit, semester length high school courses taught in fall, spring and summer terms. Courses are free in fall and spring, but a fee is required in summer. Course grades are in PowerSchool; courses are approved by the NCAA.

Edgenuity is a district-purchased program for high school initial credit online courses and credit recovery for students in ninth through twelfth grades. Initial credit courses are available for free to students who move into the district and are in need of catching up on courses to create a schedule or are in need of recovering credit for a failed course. All registration is through the school’s administrator-in-charge who must request access from district-level administrators. Students enrolled in Edgenuity classes manage their own time and workload but are given a deadline by which the course must be completed (asynchronous). Course grades are in PowerSchool; only initial credit (first-time) courses are approved by the NCAA.

VirtualSC is a free, state-sponsored program serving sixth through twelfth grade South Carolina students. VirtualSC offers initial credit courses or credit recovery for failed courses. All registration is through the school counselor.  Registration processes and windows, course timelines, and course catalogs are different from other GCS Virtual programs. Students enrolled in VirtualSC classes manage their own workload and time because classes do not meet on a daily basis and attendance is not taken (asynchronous). Most VirtualSC classes are taught in fall, spring, and summer terms. Course grades are entered into PowerSchool at the end of the term; only initial credit (first-time) courses are approved by the NCAA.