FAQ

eDCSD: The Colorado Cyber School / CO Cyber is a public school for students enrolled in grades K -12 based in Douglas County (Castle Rock), Colorado

eDCSD and Colorado Cyber are one and the same. In an effort to reach as many students throughout the state of Colorado as possible, eDCSD is merging its name to include The Colorado Cyber School. The school previously known as eDCSD: Online Education is now eDCSD: Colorado Cyber School. Other than the school’s name, nothing will change for current eDCSD students who wish to continue their enrollment. Simply, they will become students of eDCSD: Colorado Cyber School (CO Cyber).

No. eDCSD: CO Cyber is a tuition-free public school available to all Colorado students in grades kindergarten through 12. Students and families are responsible for providing some consumable materials (such as printer ink and paper). District fee guidelines do apply. (For a list of student fees, see the Academic Planning Guides for High School, Middle School and Elementary School located in the “Forms” section on the school’s web site at www.coloradocyberschool.com.). For those high school students who take more than 3.0 credits per semester, they are required to pay a $290 per course fee plus any associated materials. For those middle school students who take more than 7 classes per semester, they are required to pay a $275 per course fee plus any associate materials. For those elementary students who take more than 6 classes per semester, they are required to pay a $290 per course fee plus any associated materials.

Students are provided with the materials that they need to learn from their own homes. They will receive curriculum and related materials. A laptop computer loan is available. Students enrolled in kindergarten through 4th grade will also receive a combination printer/scanner/copier loan. (Note: Only full-time students have access to the computer loan.)

eDCSD: The Colorado Cyber School has been in existence since 2008.

Yes. All students enrolled in eDCSD: Colorado Cyber are part of the Douglas County School District. eDCSD: CO Cyber students who successfully meet the school’s graduation requirements earn a Douglas County high school diploma.

Yes. CO Cyber teachers are certified in the state of Colorado. Most hold master's degrees.

CO Cyber tailors learning environments designed to best meet the needs of individual students. CO Cyber students begin learning in a mentored, teacher-paced environment and can gradually earn a more independent approach.

Students begin with the most structured environment, often called the mentored environment. Students meet virtually with their teachers on a weekly basis. The courses are teacher paced, and students have the opportunity to learn collaboratively with their peers. Students enrolled in courses in the Mentored Learning Environment are not able to move through their courses at an accelerated pace. Students may earn an opportunity for a more independent approach if they are progressing adequately. This Independent Learning Environment offers students the opportunity to work at their own pace according to a suggested pacing guide. Students must complete their courses within the established 18-week semester. One advantage of the Independent Learning Environment is that students may accelerate through their course work. A highly qualified teacher facilitator is available via e-mail and discussion board to answer students’ questions and also evaluates students’ assignments and assessments.

Yes. Students may take all or their courses in one learning environment, or they may take courses in any of the available learning environments.

Yes. eDCSD: CO Cyber courses are designed to meet or exceed state standards which are aligned to the Common Core Standards. All course work is also in alignment with the Douglas County Strategic Plan.

Yes. A variety of field trips are offered to eDCSD: CO Cyber students each month. eDCSD: CO Cyber serves as the host of the field trips, but students are responsible for the cost of admission and transportation.

Yes. Tech Support is provided to eDCSD: CO Cyber students via either e-mail and/or phone as well as drop-in face-to-face sessions.

Yes. Full time eDCSD: CO Cyber high school students have access to career and technical education opportunities. Any full-time student is eligible. Students must follow an application process, and space for the program is limited.

Yes eDCSD: CO Cyber students have the opportunity to enroll in advanced courses in a variety of curricular areas. They also have the option to participate in Advanced Placement (College Board) testing.

Students may communicate via instant messaging capabilities, Google-chat and video, Google docs, e-mail messages, and phone calls.

eDCSD: CO Cyber offers Little Lincoln curriculum in grades K-4, and a combination of Lincoln Interactive, Aventa and Douglas County’s teacher-created curriculum in grades 5-12. For more information about the Lincoln Interactive curriculum, you may view the web site at www.lincolninteractive.com.

The first day of school is August 20, 2012.

Yes. eDCSD: Colorado Cyber operates on the academic calendar established by the Douglas County School District. The calendar can be located in the “Forms” section on the school’s web site at www.coloradocyberschool.com.

Yes. Student orientation has been scheduled for the first week of school, August 20th through August 24th. Students will be scheduled by grade level and attendance is expected. However, if a student is unable to travel to the orientation, a webinar will be posted to the web site for students to review.

Yes. Colorado state law permits students to participate in extra-curricular activities in their school districts of residence while enrolled in eDCSD: CO Cyber.

A full-time student must be enrolled in a minimum of four courses per semester, but he/she may take a maximum of six courses per semester. Therefore, eDCSD: CO Cyber students may take a maximum of 12 semester courses per year.

Yes. Students in Colorado age out of public education in the semester in which they turn 21.

Most textbooks are available to students online. The availability of a hard copy textbook depends on the course in which the student is enrolled. If students prefer to use a physical, hard copy textbook, they may purchase one at their own cost. Advisors assigned to students will be able to provide pricing information for the purchase of textbooks.

All elementary students are assessed within the first 2-3 weeks of the school year to determine or confirm their appropriate educational placement. eDCSD: CO Cyber uses the DRA2 test to assess literacy in either face to face setting or over the phone.

Students must be five years old prior to October 1st in order to be enrolled in kindergarten.

Students should complete semester courses within 18 weeks or one semester. Students should plan to work at least one hour per day per course. (See learning environment options.)

Very few, but a basic understanding of computer software is helpful. Use of the computer is an important part of the program, but in the early grades it is the parent (or other responsible adult) who interacts with the computer. The program is easy to use. Colorado Cyber will provide training for those who require it.

The amount of time a student spends on the computer varies by grade. Younger students will spend less time online and more time completing offline activities compared to middle school students and high school students. Middle school students will spend approximately 50% of their school work day online, and high school students could spend up to 80% of their school day online.

1. Unit and semester assessments
2. Colorado Department of Education required assessments (TCAP)
3. Literacy assessments to comply with Colorado Basic Literacy Act requirements (DRA2, MAPs)
4. ACT tests (or other district-required tests) at the high school level

Required state assessments, DRA and MAPS will occur face-to-face in a designated testing center within 100 miles of the student’s residence.

Enrolling in eDCSD: CO Cyber is a relatively simple process. Interested students and/or parents contact the admissions department via phone at 303.387.9465, via the "Contact Us" portion of the web site at www.coloradocyberschool.com, or by attending an information session. For those students and parents interested in proceeding with enrollment, admissions representatives will collect basic student information, conduct an initial interview, and send enrollment packets. For those who believe that eDCSD: CO Cyber is the right school for their student(s), a second interview will be scheduled by phone with a teacher or administrator at the school and students will complete the Online Introductory Course. Both an initial interview and a second interview as well as completion of the Online Introductory course are required in order for students to be considered for enrollment at eDCSD: CO Cyber. Additionally, a completed enrollment packet must also be submitted for those students who wish to enroll at eDCSD: CO Cyber. In addition to the enrollment packet, other required documents for consideration of enrollment include a copy of the student’s birth certificate, proof of residence, an academic transcript, and special education records, if necessary.

eDCSD: CO Cyber offers PE courses for all students requiring submission of a physical activity log. Activities from walking to team sports, to club teams to individual elite athletes are accepted.

The Parent/Guardian agrees to report a loss or damage that may occur to the laptop within 24 hours of the occurrence. The Parent/Guardian is solely liable for any loss or damage that occurs to the laptop. A loss or damage report must be submitted to The Colorado Cyber School within 3 days of the occurrence. The Parent/Guardian agrees to maintain at his or her expense adequate insurance to cover damage to the laptop by fire, theft, flood, explosion, accident or other cause to the full replacement value of the laptop and agrees that he or she will be financially liable for it regardless of the availability of insurance proceeds.

eDCSD: CO Cyber students can access their courses online via a high-speed internet connection. If a student travels out of state or overseas and is able to access a high-speed internet connection, he/she can complete coursework.

Our teachers participate in educational outings and often conduct face-to-face labs and group study sessions.

Students are required to complete their semester coursework within an 18-week semester. See grade level Academic Planning and Course Guides for grading information. This information is also contained within the Handbook.

No. eDCSD: CO Cyber students attend school for nine months, and they follow the academic calendar established by the Douglas County School District.

Yes. Students must enroll by September 7, 2011. No students will be enrolled in eDCSD: CO Cyber following that date.

Yes. Colorado Cyber has a tuition-based program available to those already receiving a free and public education in the state of Colorado. Families must complete the "Verification Letter" and submit a completed enrollment packet to be considered for admission. Include link to verification letter here.