An Enriched Online Learning Experience
Sioux City Community Schools use District and Iowa Core Standards to ensure all students, kindergarten through twelfth grade, meet or exceed expected learning outcomes at every grade level. Students enrolled in Virtual School will have access to high-quality common core classes in the following subject areas: Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, Art, Music, and Physical Education.
Online Instruction Supports Real-World Learning
Students enrolled in Virtual School will be given a laptop or learning device. This device is property of the District but will remain in the student’s possession throughout the school year. Students will be required to use the device for various instructional activities.
While online learning is the epicenter of the Virtual School learning experience, what’s taught in the virtual classroom supports learning experiences students are encouraged to engage in independently. Teachers may provide physical materials (textbooks, handouts, worksheets) or assign project-based work that brings lessons to life, thereby connecting course lessons to real-life experiences.
Curriculum Overview
The curriculum taught through the Sioux City Community School District blends strong academic programs with support from caring staff to ensure all students are given support to believe in their talents and skills, achieve academic excellence, and succeed in reaching their full potential.
Elementary Curriculum
The Sioux City Community School District uses standards-based grading in elementary school. This format means an academic standard is set for each subject area. These standards are defined by a statement developed to describe what all students should know (content) and be able to do (skills) in academic subjects. District teachers identified these standards as the foundational knowledge and skills that students need to succeed in the next grade level.
Middle School Curriculum
Middle school students begin to experience greater independence in the virtual environment. Courses continue to stimulate inquiry-based learning in the core subject areas to engage students in the coursework. Instruction provided in the online classrooms, coupled with the independent coursework requirements, creates a rich learning experience.
High School Curriculum
High school students have access to a diverse course list to fulfill the core academic learning requirements. Students can even select from a variety of advanced placement or accelerated courses to enhance their learning experience.
View a list of virtual course offerings for high school students.
Assessments
As students progress through their learning, assessments are given to demonstrate the student’s understanding and progress. By the end of each academic year, assessment results indicate a student’s grade-level proficiency in the core subject areas of Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, Art, Music, and Physical Education.