Our Mission
As part of our mission, Greenville County Schools strives to provide educational experiences that prepare students for lifelong learning and for ethical, productive participation in a democratic society and the global community. One way we can achieve this mission is by providing online learning opportunities as encouraged by the National Technology Plan (2017). Providing GCS students with access to virtual curriculum will allow them to advance their education and participate in an instructional medium that is prevalent in today's post-secondary institutions and workforce training. Greenville County Students may take one or two online courses to supplement their regular school schedule through the GCVSP supplemental virtual program.
GCVSP is a district-sponsored supplemental online program serving GCS students in grades 7 through 12 since 2012. GCVSP is considered a "program", not a school, and students cannot attend full-time. GCVSP is a resource that supplements educational opportunities for students. Students can take one or two courses to supplement their curriculum at the regular school in which they are enrolled. Most courses are HIGH SCHOOL courses; most are semester-length and governed by High School Grading Rules and the SC Uniform Grading Policy. All are approved by the NCAA. All require a final exam that counts a percentage of the final grade. GCVSP final exams are project-based so they are not face-to-face and do not require a proctored session.
Every online class has a published start and end date, and classes are not self-paced; they are asynchronous and deadline driven. GCVSP, as a local program in Greenville County Schools, is integrated into the GCS Student Information System, PowerSchool. This means that students' schedules and grades are entered into PowerSchool just like all other regular classes. GCVSP is aligned completely with the GCS School calendar and follows the same block schedule and timeline as all other 15 high schools in the district. GCVSP is free to students with the exception that, in summer term, GCVSP classes require a fee.
GCVSP offers rigorous online courses aligned to state standards that are created and taught by highly qualified, SC high school certified teachers who have earned credentials in online instruction and also teach in Greenville County regular schools. GCVSP provides a catalog of over 50 course offerings in the core content areas, world languages, career and technology, electives and a selection of AP courses. Students complete lesson activities, homework, research, projects, class discussions, and tests. Teachers are available to students throughout the entire length of the course. The primary difference between virtual classes and classes in a brick/mortar school is that the online course activities happen over the internet so students have access 24/7 and can manage their activity in the course. This requires students to have access to their district-issued Chromebook and daily internet connection. Students are strongly encouraged to contact their School Counselor for more information.