Virtual School is an optional school of enrollment. Students are not required to enroll on a part-time or full-time basis and may choose to withdraw at any time. If the student and parent no longer believe virtual learning is an appropriate option, please contact the designated school counselor at the school of primary enrollment to discuss other enrollment options.
Virtual School has two (2) types of enrollment—part-time and full-time. Full-time students take all courses at Virtual School online, with the option to graduate from our school. Part-time students are enrolled at another school on a full-time basis (i.e., primarily enrolled) and take between one (1) and two (2) courses at Virtual School. Part-time students cannot take more than two (2) courses at Virtual School each semester.
- Full-Time Applicants: All students must submit an enrollment application to attend Virtual School on either a full-time or part-time basis. Review Enrollment Opportunity information for application deadlines and a link to apply.
- Part-Time Applicants: Part-time enrollment options are available to MNPS middle and high school students. To enroll, students should contact their designated school counselor at their primary school of enrollment to receive partial enrollment information on registering as a part-time student at MNPS Virtual School. Enrollment is limited and requires administration approval.
Before enrolling on a full-time basis, students and parents should consider whether online learning best serves the learner’s educational needs. Review Enrollment Opportunity information on instructional delivery per grade level and enrollment criteria. If the full-time applicant does not meet the eligibility requirements, the applicant and/or parent may request a waiver, in writing, of one (1) eligibility requirement. No more than one (1) eligibility requirement will be waived. Waivers should be directed to the attention of the Executive Principal of Virtual School. The discretion to waive an eligibility requirement rests with the Executive Principal.
Based on course availability, part-time enrollment is also open to Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) students. The following eligibility requirements apply for part-time student applicants:
- The applicant has parent permission, acknowledged by a parent’s signature, to take a course at Virtual School. Note: Parent permission is obtained by the school of primary enrollment.
- The applicant has approval from the Executive Principal at the learner’s school of primary enrollment.
- The applicant demonstrates the ability to successfully work independently, at a distance, and without direct supervision.
- The applicant completes Virtual School’s Student Online Orientation by the designated semester due date.
It is recommended that first-time, part-time students enroll in no more than one (1) half-credit course during the first semester of enrollment.
Virtual School’s full-time enrollment is open to all Davidson County residents meeting the eligibility requirements herewith. Davidson County residents can also enroll on a part-time basis consistent with the eligibility requirements noted and based on seat availability. Please note that tuition may be assessed, in certain situations, for both full-time and part-time enrollment. For more information, please review the Student Tuition information below.
Contingent on seat availability, non-Davidson County, Tennessee, residents may attend Virtual School on a full-time basis (if meeting all eligibility requirements). Non-Davidson County students seeking full-time enrollment at Virtual School follow all the same enrollment procedures as Davidson County students. Non-Davidson County, Tennessee residents must travel to Virtual School for all mandatory events (e.g., testing, in-person student support, etc.). Virtual School is not responsible for any costs associated with traveling to or from our school location. Please note that nothing in this procedure requires Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) to enroll a non-Davidson County student on a full-time basis. At this time, non-Tennessee residents are not eligible to attend Virtual School.
Non-Davidson County, Tennessee, residents may also enroll on a part-time basis at Virtual School. Please note that tuition is assessed for part-time Non-Davidson County, Tennessee, residents. For more information, please review the Student Tuition information below.
When in the best interest of the learner, the student is withdrawn from Virtual School (at the end of a semester) and enrolled in a more appropriate educational setting.
Withdrawal reasons for full-time students include the following:
- The full-time student did not complete the mandatory new student orientation by the mandatory due date.
- The full-time student has ten (10) or more unexcused absences during the previous semester.
- The full-time student failed to maintain a 2.0 grade point average (GPA) during the previous semester.
- The full-time student is no longer on-pace to graduate with the designated graduation cohort in four (4) years and a summer.
- The full-time student has five (5) or more violations of Virtual School’s Academic Integrity Policy during the previous semester.
Full-time students are transitioned back to the zoned school or another choice school.
Withdrawal reasons for part-time students include the following:
- The part-time student did not complete the mandatory new student orientation by the mandatory due date.
- The part-time student failed one (1) or more Virtual School courses during the previous semester.
- The part-time student had five (5) or more violations of Virtual School’s “Academic Integrity Policy” during the previous semester.
Part-time students are transitioned back into a brick-and-mortar course at the school of primary enrollment.
A full-time student not meeting all eligibility requirements may be placed on academic concern. The student will have one semester to meet eligibility requirements or will be withdrawn.
Consistent with Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-16-211, in limited situations, tuition is required to enroll at Virtual School. In the following circumstances, Tennessee’s Basic Education Program (BEP) does not cover the educational expenses associated with a student’s attendance at Virtual School:
- Taking a course above and beyond a full course schedule.
- Taking a course on a part-time basis while attending a charter school (within Davidson County, Tennessee).
- Taking a course on a part-time basis as a non-Davidson County, Tennessee, resident.
In the above situations, the student and/or parent are required to pay tuition to enroll. Tuition is set annually, per half credit, by Virtual School—with ultimate approval of the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) district. Special Note: Tuition is non-refundable. No exceptions.