Frequently Asked Questions
Why Choose VHS Learning?
Our program is accredited by Middle States Association (CESS) and ACS Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and our courses are approved by NCAA.
VHS Learning has been extensively studied, and the research indicates that students learn online through VHS Learning as much, and in many cases more, than they do in traditional classrooms. For more Information, see our educators page.
No, VHS Learning is not a cyber school. VHS Learning believes that virtual learning enhances face-to-face instruction, but is not a replacement for traditional schooling.
VHS Learning teachers must participate in and successfully graduate from VHS Learning online professional development Online Teaching Methodologies in order to teach a VHS Learning course in addition to their certification in their discipline.
VHS Learning offers either asynchronous, or self-paced. Asynchronous means that students can work on their courses any time during the day or evening, as long as they meet the deadlines and due dates set by their teachers. VHS Learning believes in student-centered classes which encourage collaboration among students. Therefore, our asynchronous courses run on a weekly-scheduled basis. This means that although the student has the flexibility to access his or her class anytime 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, there are definite due dates and scheduled deadlines for assignments and activities.
VHS Learning also realizes students may need to complete courses at their own pace. For this reason we also offer self-paced courses and credit recovery courses. This unique program helps students at risk of not passing a course, graduating with their class, or matriculating to the next grade level. Through our self-paced courses students can learn on their own schedules and at their own pace in an adaptive learning environment with the support from their teacher.
Yes! Home school students can participate in VHS Learning classes. Instructions on how to register a student individually can be found under the Parent and Student tab, on our Get Started page. If you are looking for a full-time, diploma granting program, visit our Massachusetts Mayflower Academy page.
VHS Learning (VHS, Inc.) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, incorporated in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on May, 2001.
Based in Massachusetts, VHS Learning offices are located at 4 Mill & Main Place Suite 510, Maynard, MA 01754.
How VHS Learning Works
There are many ways your school can partner with VHS Learning. Visit our Get Started page or contact us to learn more.
Yes! Please complete our contact us form or call 978-897-1900 x3 and one of our educational partnerships managers will be happy to meet with you.
Costs to join VHS Learning vary depending upon the partnership option your school selects. Please click here to contact us, or call 978-897-1900 to request pricing.
Parents and Students can view our Individual Student Pricing for more information on enrolling individually.
No students greater than age 21 may enroll in VHS Learning courses. A student must be aged 21 or under and a full-time high school student to enroll in VHS Learning online high school classes.
In general, students only need reliable access to the Internet and a compatible web browser.
Note that some courses have additional requirements (for example, to install software required for the course). Wherever possible, these additional requirements are spelled out for the course within the VHS Learning Catalog.
In general, students only need reliable access to the Internet and a compatible web browser.
Note that some courses have additional requirements (for example, to install software required for the course). Wherever possible, these additional requirements are spelled out for the course within the VHS Learning Catalog.
VHS Learning Refund Policy
Individual tuition students who officially withdraw from their full year, Advanced Placement (AP), fall, or spring semester courses through notification to VHS Learning may receive a refund of tuition according to the following schedule:
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A full refund, less a $25 administration fee, will be granted prior to the start of class.
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75% tuition refund will be granted if the withdrawal from the course occurs during the first week of the course.
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No tuition refund will be granted after the first week of the course.
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Tuition refunds are not granted for unused seats purchased in membership bundles. For more information about membership seat refunds, please refer to the VHS Learning Handbook.
Self-Paced and Credit Recovery
Summer school and credit recovery students who officially withdraw from their courses through notification to VHS Learning may receive a refund of tuition according to the following schedule:
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A full refund will be granted prior to the start of class, less a $25 administration fee.
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No tuition refund will be granted after the start of the course.
Professional Development
Educators taking VHS Learning professional development courses who officially withdraw from their courses through notification to VHS Learning may receive a refund of tuition according to the following schedule:
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A full refund will be granted prior to the start of class, less a $25 administration fee.
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No tuition refund will be granted after the start of the course.
Students may add courses within the first week of the start of a semester. Students may drop courses, without consequence, up to one week after the start date. After this period, students will receive a Withdraw (W) from VHS Learning. Dropping or adding of courses is to be done through the VHS Learning site coordinator.
There is no set time the teacher must be online however, all teachers must be in class and respond to all students within 24 hours (Monday-Friday).
There is a common grading system for all courses in VHS Learning. Teachers report grades to VHS Learning, which passes these grades on to the student's administrative office. Students enrolling on their own should first check with their school to ensure VHS Learning courses will be accepted for credit. We will provide transcripts for courses taken with VHS Learning.
What VHS Learning Offers
The VHS Learning Course Catalog has classes for high school and middle school students of all levels. The entire range of student abilities is reflected in the VHS Learning course catalog - from Advanced Placement and honors level classes to courses offered for remediation and credit recovery.
Yes, we offer courses at 4 different levels. Course levels help students understand class expectations before they enroll in a course. Levels provide students with perspective about class rigor to enable students of varying abilities to evaluate their potential for success. Due to the different categorizes of course levels in secondary schools, our courses are organized into four achievement levels: Credit Recovery, Standard, Honors, and Advanced Placement. All courses prepare students for post-secondary educational pursuits. Our courses are all at or above college preparatory level and are designed to challenge students and provide opportunities for enrichment. Definitions of each course level are included below.
- Credit Recovery - Credit recovery courses are self-paced, so students can recover credit in as little as 4 weeks, though students will have up to 8 weeks to finish each course. Many of the courses contain adaptive pre-tests, so students can test out of content they have mastered and focus on areas where they need to reinforce their learning. Credit recovery courses are offered in 0.5 credit segments, so that students have flexibility to complete just the first-part of a full-year course. Each 0.5 credit recovery course will require about 40 hours of work.
- Standard Level - Standard level, college preparatory, courses are appropriate for students intending to pursue two- or four-year college placement. Courses require well-developed reading, writing, mathematical, critical thinking, and study abilities, as well as self-discipline and organization to complete assignments within expected deadlines. Students are expected to work on average 6 hours per week in a Standard level course.
- Honors Level - Honors level courses are presented at a more accelerated pace than Standard level courses and require students to develop a deeper conceptual understanding of course concepts. Honors courses require advanced reading, writing, mathematical, critical thinking, and study abilities, as well as self-discipline and organization to complete assignments within expected deadlines. Students are expected to work on average 8 hours per week in an Honors level course.
- Advanced Placement (AP®) Level - Advanced Placement courses are equivalent to college level courses and require students understand concepts that are more complex and faster paced than most traditional high school coursework. Advanced Placement courses include open-ended discussions, detailed writing assignments, and complex problem solving, and they require students have strong collaboration skills and excellent reading and writing abilities. Students will be expected to research and analyze materials to formulate and justify their claims and opinions. AP students are encouraged to complete the College Board exam testing knowledge of the AP subject, which may (depending on the college) translate into college credits if the student scores high enough on the exam. Students are expected to work on average a minimum of 10 hours per week in an AP level course.
Our average class size is 21 students.
Student-to-student interaction is an integral part of all asynchronous VHS Learning courses. Students communicate through asynchronous threaded discussion and work together in group projects. Asynchronous means that students can work on their courses any time during the day or evening, as long as they meet the deadlines and due dates set by their course instructors.
Yes, students can save their work as "in progress" so that they can come back to complete it at a later time.
VHS Learning offers one 8-week session and 2 4-week sessions of summer school courses each year.
Please see our Academic Calendar for all important upcoming dates.
Many times, a school's calendar and vacations week differ from the VHS Learning calendar. VHS Learning courses still run during weeks when other schools are on vacation. If a student is unable to participate in class due to a school vacation or calendar issue, it is essential that students and site coordinators inform teachers in advance so arrangements can be made to work ahead or make up work. If students do not make alternative arrangements with teachers in advance in cases of scheduling conflicts, late work policies and penalties will apply.