Courses & Instruction
Does online learning in an independent study format work well?
Yes. For many students, online independent study is an excellent way to develop personal strengths. After all, not every student feels comfortable raising their hand in a traditional classroom setting, or asking a question without fearing embarrassment. Every student deserves the chance to share their thoughts and get helpful feedback from teachers and advisors. Insight offers an environment where this can happen at each students pace, when they can focus best.
What roles do teachers play?
ISCO teachers, all of whom are highly qualified, Colorado licensed professionals, play a central role. We combine state-of-the-art online teaching techniques with experienced, state-certified teachers to create an environment where high school students feel engaged, empowered, and challenged. Our teachers know how to connect and inspire, and they’re dedicated to helping each student succeed. They’re able to spend their time focusing on teaching, mentoring, and engaging with students—rather than on time-consuming classroom management—so they can build one-on-one relationships with each student to understand and respond to their individual strengths and needs.
Do your courses require textbooks?
Some courses do require textbooks, but most textbooks are electronic. Insight provides required books to all students.
How do you teach lab courses like Biology or Chemistry?
The content component and structure of our biology and chemistry courses (SCI 210, 220, 310, 320) are the same as for our other courses. We make use of the latest technologies to enable students to participate in virtual labs and dissections.
How do you help students satisfy the physical fitness requirement?
Being successful at Insight involves staying active both inside and outside the classroom. We have a set of courses that teach and emphasize individual physical fitness and nutrition. These courses require the student to perform fitness activities and measure and report on their individual fitness as they complete individual physical fitness exercises.
Are there assignments and due dates?
Insight School of Colorado curriculum provides due dates for assignments. Staying current with assignments will allow teachers to more effectively provide group as well as individual assistance. Completing assignments will provide the student with knowledge necessary to be successful in future coursework.
How do you prevent students from cheating?
Insight takes academic integrity very seriously and we have a number of methods to prevent plagiarism and inappropriate collaboration. We use a number of online tools designed specifically to identify plagiarism. Our online quizzes and exams require special passwords. Our online quiz technology can detect when a student is copying from another student.
A more subjective, but no less effective, tool for identifying cheating is the teacher’s knowledge of the student’s ability, past work and verbal "print". Keeping in mind that much of the relationship with the student is built via written word, a student’s "word print" is as unique and identifiable in an online classroom as a student’s face is in a face-to-face classroom.
Although no school—online or otherwise—can guarantee 100% academic honesty, we’ve taken robust and reasonable measures to monitor student activities and to identify cheating when it happens. Instances of academic dishonesty are dealt with immediately and in accordance with school policy. Prior to enrolling, students and their parents are required to read, agree with, and sign an academic honesty policy.
How do parents stay involved?
We know that parental interest and involvement can play a key role in high school student success; although for some students parent involvement may not be possible. We strongly encourage parents to support their student in their studies, keep informed of their progress, and encourage them to stay on top of their work. Parents are provided access to up-to-date information about their student’s progress throughout the semester via regular communication from the teacher and school.
We also recognize that as students enter the high school years, they often seek to become more independent. Our program is designed to support exploration of that independence, while still providing necessary guidance, support and expertise for both parents and students through our iAchieve Advisor program.
How frequently will I get progress reports/how do parents get information?
Parents are provided access to our student information system, and can access the system at any point with username and password. Grades are updated weekly. Insight instructors are always available to consult with parents by email or telephone.
What support do you offer students?
Beyond the ongoing support offered by our teachers every day in class, Insight supports today’s students with a host of innovative programs.
- iExplore helps students plan college and career pathways by offering course groupings, mentorships, counseling and internships.
- A dedicated iAchieve Advisor works with Insight parents and students to foster success in the online learning environment.
- We even provide full-time students with a school-issued laptop* including a headset and microphone, printer/scanner, textbooks, along with an internet connection reimbursement for families that qualify.
- On-demand academic assistance is available 24/7 to help students and parents succeed in the online school environment whenever a teacher is not available —including course access technical support, problem with lost passwords, computer hardware issues, etc.
Do I have to be home while my child is doing schoolwork?
No. Although your student will benefit from your encouragement and knowing that you care about his or her progress, Insight teachers and iAchieve Advisors are available for problem-solving and support even when you are away. One benefit of our program is that your student can study at his or her own time, place, and pace—you can observe your student "going to school" whenever your schedule permits the opportunity…even when you’re at home together.
Do Insight credits transfer back into other high schools if needed?
Insight School of Colorado is a public online high school. As such, assuming students satisfactorily complete their courses, credits should transfer back into other high schools. We always recommend that you check with the school to ensure they will accept the credits.
Does Insight offer summer school courses?
Not yet, although we are considering offering a summer program to Insight School students in the future.
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