A New Option for Students: 

“combining the best of online and personalized learning for each child”

Many parents are looking for new learning options for their children. Some families are choosing online schools, and while benefits exist in a fully online school, most students prefer to have some face-to-face interaction with teachers and other students at a physical school.  Amphi Academy at Donaldson, opening in August 2012, will combine the best of quality online instruction and face-to-face interactions in a Blended Learning model. Students in grades 4-6 will focus on their basic core classes (reading, writing, math, science, social studies, and modern languages) at home in an online environment, while attending Donaldson two days per week to work directly with teachers and interact with other students.

Students will work from home for three days per week. They will access course content online (readings, videos, animations, quizzes), and communicate with teachers via email, discussion boards, phone, and perhaps webcams. Each student will have a parent or responsible adult serving as a “teaching coach,” to monitor the student’s daily work schedule. Amphi Academy teachers will also monitor student progress and are responsible for all grading, testing, and student progress.

We know that students working in a Blended Learning environment involving both online and face-to-face learning experiences tend to be more successful than students in a fully online learning program. To better ensure success for our students enrolled in Amphi Academy at Donaldson, this program will require two full days attendance at the Donaldson Learning Center.   Exceptions may be made to best meet the needs of students with unusual circumstances, and modified programs can be developed. While participating in the face-to-face portion of the Blended Learning model, students may collaborate with others on extension projects related to their online curriculum, engage in activities designed to foster creativity, leadership skills, and critical thinking, and participate in the arts and physical education classes.

Although the Amphi Academy at Donaldson will not be self-paced, there will be some time flexibility within the weekly program.  Students attending the Amphi Academy at Donaldson will be required to complete coursework by working actively online for a minimum of 18 hours per week, when not in the Donaldson Learning Center.

Parents will be responsible for providing appropriate computer and internet access for their students to use while online at home. Computers and other technological tools will be available for use while the students are in the Learning Center.

For more information, go to www.amphiacademy.com or call Monica Nelson, Associate Superintendent, at 520-696-5172.