All general education and Special Education Federal Settings I and II school requests will be accepted. As this expanded version of MPS Online is new and interest is currently unknown, requests will be monitored closely in case staffing or acceptance rates need to be adjusted. Students placements for Federal Setting III would need to go through the Special Education Department--families should work with their case worker to look into whether their student is able to attend MPS Online School.  

Yes. Once families complete the school request process online, they will receive an automatic email reply that will include instructions on how to complete the school registration process and related paperwork. Families also have the option to complete the school request and registration process through a paper form and mail; contact Student Placement to get a form mailed to you: 612.668.1840 or at SPS.Department@mpls.k12.mn.us.

Yes. There is no other distance learning option at this time; however, as the new school year approaches, we will assess infection rates accordingly and reassess distance learning options as needed. Note: Once a student is enrolled in MPS Online School, they will lose their seat in their previous MPS school. 

No.  The USDA School Nutrition Program has been discontinued.

Yes, Shawntel Jenkins is the full time principal for MPS Online. She can be contacted at shawntel.jenkins@mpls.k12.mn.us

Yes. Students in grades 9-12 can supplement their course options by also taking courses through MPS Online School. Students need to work with their high school counselor to make these arrangements. 

Dual enrollment is not, however, an option for students in grades K-8.

No. If a student needs to be absent from their assigned school, families should contact the school about the upcoming absence to determine the best way for the student to keep up with their lessons while they are away.

For students traveling overseas for an extended period, MPS Online School may be a good fit to meet their educational needs as long as the student will be moving back to Minnesota before the end of the school year. However, the student will need to be enrolled in MPS Online School full time and not be attending another school overseas at the same time. 

MPS Online School offers Special Education services for a continuum of student needs. There are Special Education services for students who spend most of their time in general education and for those that need the support of a Special Education setting. Special Education support could be available in the general education class or could be offered in a Special Education class online. Students might receive the support of a special education assistant or be in a one-on-one direct instruction online class.

There will be a part-time school social worker supporting students in MPS Online School. The school social worker, along with a site-based mental health team, will be available to provide mental health support to students, as well as consultation to staff and families. This mental health team (school social worker, school counselor, school psychologist, nurse, and a district mental health support specialist) will support students in the online learning program. This team will offer support at various levels such as classroom support, group support, and individual support, as needed and as available. 

Yes. MPS Online School will be hiring ESL teachers to serve the grades K-12. Additionally, bilingual support staff will also be available to support students. 

Students who are absent from their school for disciplinary reasons will be provided learning alternatives through their school rather than MPS Online School. If students want to permanently un-enroll from their school, they may then go through the enrollment and registration process to attend MPS Online School permanently.

Students who are homebound may attend MPS Online School as long as they have a Federal I or II Special Education IEP; see question 8 for more details. 

Yes. Through open enrollment, any student can enroll in MPS Online School.

Students will graduate from MPS Online School and participate in its graduation ceremony.

Yes.

The school day is from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Morning meeting will be at 8 a.m. for grades K-5. Students will be expected to be online at specified times per their communicated daily schedule from their teacher.

Student attendance will be taken during the virtual morning meeting. Classes will be offered both in real-time (synchronous ) and self-directed (asynchronous) throughout the day.

Middle school students will learn in a blended learning environment where both real-time (synchronous) and self-directed (asynchronous) work will create a flexible learning environment for students. Teachers will host weekly advisory meetings to connect with students' social-emotional learning. Teachers will meet with students in real-time throughout the week. This may be in the form of three or four formal lessons, along with office hours, individual student meetings or small group lessons, and hands-on learning. 

High school students will learn in a self-directed (asynchronous) learning environment that will be paced throughout the quarter for students so teachers can monitor their progress. Teachers will host daily office hours and support student learning through labs, small group lessons, and individual student meetings.

Yes, there will be opportunities for both in-person and virtual field trips and class activities.

Students and families will have the opportunity to meet their teacher face-to-face during orientation, class and school events, and learning support sessions/labs.

Yes, MPS Online School will offer all courses needed for graduation, including AP courses, languages, CTE and PSEO opportunities. A complete course catalog will be found on the MPS Online website soon.

High school students will be able to participate in AP English, AP Math, AP Science and AP Social Studies.

Yes, both the “Kings” and “Queens” classes will be offered.

Japanese, Ojibwe, and Dakota will be offered for students in grades 9-12.

Yes, MPS Online School counselors will work with students to support them in all PSEO opportunities and other post-secondary planning.

MPS Online School staff provide individualized and small group student support. Lessons will be recorded for students to review content at their own pace. Teachers will work with students and caregivers to create a support plan to ensure student success.

Yes, mental health services will be provided by a school social worker. This school social worker, along with a site-based mental health team, will be available to provide mental health support to students, as well as consultation to staff and families.

Yes, if a student does not have their own device they will either receive an iPad (grades K-2) or Chromebook (grades 3-12) while they are in MPS Online School. Families should plan to get internet access; some low-cost options are available through Internet Essentials; hotspots through MPS will be available for those students who are unable to get their own internet access.

MPS Online School has dedicated staff who will be on call as a tech support line during the school day. Support is also available for Hmong, Somali, and Spanish-speaking families. 

Yes, just like any other school, there will be parent-teacher conferences and other school-wide events.

Families play an important role in supporting students in an online environment. Families are expected to be present and monitor their students during the learning day. Family support shows that the student's learning is a top priority and helps students succeed. When students participate in real-time (synchronous) online learning with their teacher, families can support their students by being present to help supervise, providing a space that is free from distractions, including other family members being on camera. Families are also asked to not take pictures or video during the real-time (synchronous) learning session.

Family and student orientation will be provided at the beginning of the year, and parent support groups will be offered throughout the year. The parent support sessions will be hosted in person and virtually, and hosted by MPS support staff and teachers. It will provide caregivers an opportunity to learn, ask questions, connect with MPS Online School staff, and other caregivers and parents of MPS Online School students. Orientation topics and year-long support include:

• Student schedule and establishing a routine for success.
• Setting up a workspace and organization strategies.
• Getting to know the online platforms.
• Ways to communicate with teachers.

MPS Online School is recommending that at the elementary level, families provide a high level of support and oversight. Families help set the schedule for providing breaks, snacks and meals, as well as monitor their student’s progress throughout the day and communicate with the teacher often.

MPS Online School is recommending that at the middle school level, family oversight varies based on their student’s needs and progress. Families should be present every day and keep an eye on their student’s progress, grades and support student-teacher communication. 

MPS Online School students are eligible to play sports at their assigned community school if the student meets the academic requirements. All students are required to provide their own transportation to and from practice. However, MPS will provide transportation to students to and from schools for away games and competitions.

MPS Online School students may participate in afterschool programs at their assigned community school. The student must be registered through afterschool programming such as ALC and/or MPS Community Education.

Families should contact Student Placement Services to find out what their assigned community school or use the School Finder in the blue box at the top of this page to look up the school based on the student’s home address. 

To decide if MPS Online School is a good fit for their student, families should review the following Profile of an Online Learner.

Students learn in a variety of ways. MPS students have had an opportunity to learn and develop skills in technology devices, software, and virtual learning skills through district-wide distance learning. MPS Online School is a great opportunity for certain students to continue their  K-12 academic progress through a learning model that best suits their learning styles. 

Before making a decision on the best learning model for them, students and parents should review the descriptions of an online learner below and think about whether an online learning model would be best for them:

Grades K-3

• I am choosing an online learning model because my learning style better matches a virtual learning environment.
• I know my online class may have different challenges than in-person classes because of the virtual environment.
• I am self-motivated and can give solid attention to complete tasks and projects.
• I am able to follow directions well and will ask questions when I need clarification.
• I like to get things done today and not wait until tomorrow.
• I do not give up easily, even when confronted with obstacles.
• I will not miss daily in-person interaction with my instructor and classmates and have other opportunities for socialization.
• I am comfortable spending at least 6 hours per day dedicated to my online class that includes daily synchronous (real time) participation with my teacher and time to complete assignments that may include watching videos and engaging in learning platforms such as Lexia, Dreambox, iStation etc.
• I have or am willing to learn reading strategies that can help me get through difficult texts and/or am willing to reach out to my teacher to support my reading comprehension.
• I have basic computer skills and can use word processing software, download software, install software, use a web browser, etc.
• I have access to a computer that is connected to the Internet and have a backup plan if something happens to my computer.
• I am comfortable in a "virtual environment" and using Seesaw and/or Google Classroom platforms.

Grades 4-12

• I am choosing an online learning model because my learning style better matches a virtual learning environment.
• I know my online classes may have different challenges than in-person classes because of the virtual environment.
• I am self-motivated and can give solid attention to complete tasks and projects.
• I am able to work independently with little direction. 
• I have good time-management skills that allow me to schedule specific times throughout the week to work on my online course(s).
• I can adequately prepare and study for assessments.
• I can effectively communicate any questions or concerns to my instructor.
• I am comfortable expressing myself in writing. 
• I like to get things done today and not tomorrow.
• I will not miss daily in-person interaction with my teacher and classmates and have other opportunities for socialization.
• I do not give up easily, even when confronted with obstacles.
• I am comfortable spending at least 6 hours per day dedicated to my online coursework that includes daily synchronous (real time) participation with course instructor(s), time to review course lectures/videos, time to complete course assignments, time to participate in chats and threaded discussions, etc. 
• I agree that online courses can be more challenging than in-person classes.
• I have or am willing to learn reading strategies that can help me get through difficult texts and/or am willing to reach out to staff to support my reading comprehension.
• I have basic computer skills and can use word processing software, download software, install software, use a web browser, etc.
• I have access to a computer that is connected to the Internet and have a backup plan if something happens to my computer.
• I am comfortable in a "virtual environment," email, sending attachments, threaded discussions, chat rooms, etc.