FAQs
Courses and Instructions FAQs
Does online learning in an independent study format work well?
Yes. For many students, online independent learning 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 student's pace, when he or she can focus best.
What roles do instructors play?
Teachers at Insight Schools of California, all of whom are California-credentialed, play a central role. We combine innovative online teaching techniques with experienced teachers to create an environment where 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 so they can build one-to-one relationships with each student to understand and respond to their individual strengths and needs.
Insight Schools of California teachers also answer day-to-day questions and assess student performance through assignments, exams, and quizzes.
Do your courses require textbooks?
Some courses do require textbooks, but most textbooks are electronic. Insight Schools of California provides required books to all students.
How do you teach lab courses like biology?
The content component and structure of our biology course is 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 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?
Like a traditional full-time public school, Insight Schools of California encourages students to develop responsibility for academic progress. That means students are responsible for assignments, due dates, and deadlines. While some of what we do is more flexible in terms of the times and the places students do their work, we also make sure that parents and teachers are involved to help students progress through coursework in a timely manner.
How do you prevent students from cheating?
Insight Schools of California takes academic integrity very seriously, and we have a number of methods to prevent plagiarism and inappropriate collaboration. We use several 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 percent 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 student success; although for some students, parent involvement may not be possible. We strongly encourage parents to support students 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 year via regular communication from the teacher and school.
We also recognize that as students enter their high school years, they often seek to become more independent. Our high school program is designed to support exploration of that independence, while still providing necessary guidance, support, and expertise for both parents and students through our Family Support Team.
How frequently will I receive progress reports/how do parents get information?
Parents are provided access to and can enter the online school at any point with a username and password. Grades are updated weekly. Also, Insight Schools of California teachers are available to consult with parents by email or telephone. And, of course, parents have access to their student's progress and report cards each month and can view lessons, student log-in activity, class calendars, etc.
What support do you offer students?
Beyond the ongoing support offered by our teachers every day in class, Insight Schools of California supports today's students with innovative programs, including a Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) program and much more.
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 Schools of California teachers and staff are available for problem-solving and support even when you are away.
Do Insight Schools of California credits transfer back into other schools if needed?
If a student transfers from Insight Schools of California to another school, the receiving school determines acceptance of credits earned at Insight. Insight will work with the receiving school to facilitate the transfer of credits if needed.
Does Insight Schools of California offer summer school courses?
We currently do not offer summer school; however, we do partner with another program to offer a fee-based option.
