"It's very important for me to have control over my education. I can determine where I'm going and at what rate, and right now I'm a grade ahead of where I'm supposed to be. I don't think it would be easy for me to do this in a traditional high school."

-Jacob W. iQ Academy Student

Frequently Asked Questions

Find the answers you're looking for.

Home Schooling
The Online Learning Environment
Open Enrollment
General Questions

FAQs: Home Schooling

Is iQ Academy the same as home schooling?

Students enrolled in iQ Academy Kansas do their learning at home, but they are participating in a program of Manhattan High School. The curriculum is approved by the school district for earning high school credits that can lead to a high school diploma through iQ Academy and the Manhattan-Ogden School District.

What kind of diploma will my child receive after completing iQ Academy?

Students who complete all the Manhattan-Ogden school district requirements for graduation will receive a high school diploma from the Manhattan-Ogden School District.

My child has been doing regular home school up until now. He will be in 11th grade next year and we want him to graduate on time. How will iQ Academy count his work done while in home school?

Because every home school curriculum can be different, we will need to review any documentation you have of your child's high school work so we can compare it against the requirements for the State of Kansas. Contact us by phone or email for more information.

My child has an IEP and has been enrolled in Special Education in our home school district. Does iQ Academy enroll students with special needs?

This is determined on a case-by-case basis. The main issue to be considered is whether or not the independent nature of online instruction will be the best fit for a student with special needs. Staff from iQ Academy will discuss your child's situation with you. You may contact us by phone for more information.

FAQs: The Online Learning Environment

We don't have a very good computer at home. Can my child participate in iQ Academy Kansas?

Yes! Every full time iQ Academy student has the option to use one of iQ Academy's computers while enrolled full-time in our program.

Do we have to have High Speed Internet Access to participate in iQ Academy Kansas?

No, although high speed Internet access definitely makes the experience of learning online much more satisfying, it is not absolutely necessary. Some areas of Kansas unfortunately do not have high-speed access available yet. For those areas that have high-speed access available, however, it is definitely the preferred type of internet access for the program.

What kinds of safeguards are in place to keep my child safe while working on the internet?

The main content of all of the iQ Academy courses is available directly through our secure, online student classroom area. In some cases, links provided by teachers direct students to other websites so students can take advantage of the wealth of educational information available online. In addition to limiting the sites to which students must visit to do their coursework, we have added a piece of software on all student laptop computers that filters out sites that are not appropriate for high school-aged children to view. Beyond that, good parental supervision and setting some guidelines for internet use that match with your family values will go a long way in protecting your children from unwanted information on the internet.

Do I have to be at home all the time my child is doing schoolwork?

This is not required, however it is important for your child to know that you are interested in how he/she is doing in school. It is unrealistic for most high school-aged students to handle the total responsibility of an online learning environment, without any parental intervention. The iQ Academy program does not require students to do all of their coursework during the traditional school hours, so it may be beneficial for some families to schedule at least some of their "school time" during hours that parents are home to provide support.

How do I know whether or not my child would be successful doing online learning?

Some of the qualities that we have seen in our most successful students are:

The ability to work independently.
A willingness to seek out answers to their questions, or to move on to a different subject until the necessary help is available.
The willingness to ask for help when needed. There are many opportunities to get help from teachers, from other students, or from technical support. Students have to be willing to make use of those resources and let someone know if they don't understand something.
Some internal motivation to succeed in the program. Students who are forced into an online learning environment will be less likely to be successful.

There are some things that you can do as a parent/guardian to help your child to be successful in iQ Academy Kansas:

Help them set up a schedule for school to follow every day. Students should plan on approximately one hour of work per day for every class they are enrolled in, plus some extra time for outside readings or writing papers.
Provide an area for them to work that has limited distractions and where all their materials are available to them.
Encourage them to discuss their work with you. These discussions can give you clues as to whether they understand the materials and the assignments, and potential problems can be headed off before they turn into bigger problems.

Our family travels quite a bit. Would that be a problem in the iQ Academy program?

As long as internet access is available, students can log into iQ Academy and get to their courses. For trips during which internet access may not be available, students can print off their assignments ahead of time and work from those in order to keep up with their work. Students should notify their teachers by email if they will be unable to access the Internet for a period of time.

What tools are available for students to communicate with each other?

We have a feature on our secure, online student classroom area, Blackboard, for students to participate in discussion boards with other iQ Academy students. Topics of discussion may include music, books, movies, politics, sports, etc. These discussion boards are monitored by iQ Academy staff and provide a great way for students to talk about their talents and interests.

What role do the teachers play in iQ Academy Kansas?

The teachers play an important role in the iQ Academy program. It is the role of the teachers to meet individual learning needs of the students enrolled in their courses. Teachers have "office hours" and hold weekly sessions during which students can ask questions and have discussions with their teacher and classmates. Teachers are also available by phone and email, and students are encouraged to contact their teachers with questions.

As a parent, how can I check on my son/daughter's progress in iQ Academy?

Parents are assigned an Observer login and password to enter the iQ Academy site. By using this login, parents can go directly to their child's classes and see what assignments have been completed and what their child's grades are at any time. A progress report is emailed to parents' iQ email accounts weekly.

FAQs: Open Enrollment

Once we start the school year, can we still change our minds and go back to our home district?

Although we work very hard to make iQ Academy a positive experience for all of our students, if you feel that iQ Academy is not the best choice for your child you always have the ability to return to your local school or to regular home schooling.

Is iQ Academy Kansas a private school?

No, iQ Academy Kansas is a public high school. It is part of the Manhattan-Ogden School District.

FAQs: General

Can my child take any classes at our local school while attending iQ Academy?

This is an area that is at the discretion of the local school. Some iQ Academy students participate in choir or band at their local school. You would need to check with your local school district.

How do we know if iQ Academy is the right school for us?

We invite you to contact us and learn as much as you can about what iQ Academy has to offer you and your child. Getting as much information as possible is the best way to make an informed choice.

How much time does it take to complete a one-credit course?

iQ Academy Kansas runs on a school year calendar. Coursework should be completed by May 16, 2008. A one-credit course is designed to take 36 weeks or about 180 hours. As a general guideline, in addition to the time you spend online, you should also count on spending time reading, completing assignments, and studying for tests and exams. Therefore, you may need to spend approximately 180 hours to complete a course. This time is a guideline and will vary according to course, study habits, etc. You should assume that a half-credit course will take half as much time as a one-credit course.

Where can I get a course pace chart?

Course pace charts are provided in each course. These charts will help you plan your work so that you will complete the course by the end of the school year. Pace charts are typically found in the Course Information tab.

How will I be evaluated?

Progress is measured through quizzes, exams, written essays, assignments, projects and semester exams.

How do I get help from my teachers if I am having difficulty with my
course(s)?

Your teachers will provide feedback on any assignments or projects you complete. You can also contact your teacher via email or through the course message center. In addition, each teacher has regularly scheduled online office hours. During the scheduled time, students interact with the teacher and other students in a virtual classroom.