Virtual Academy (Grades 6-12) Program FAQs

Summit Learning Charter’s Virtual Academy offers a flexible, tuition-free online education for students in grades 6-12 across Oregon. Whether you’re curious about enrollment, curriculum, support services, or extracurricular opportunities, this FAQ covers everything you need to know.

General Program Information

What is Summit Learning Charter’s Virtual Academy?

The Summit Learning Virtual Academy Program is a flexible and personalized online education program for students in grades 6-12. A program where every student is celebrated for what makes them unique and is welcomed by a dedicated advisor.

What makes Summit different from other online charter schools?

Unlike national online schools, Summit has local teachers, advisors, and support staff. Our students work with dedicated advisors who check in regularly, and our courses are graded by Oregon-licensed educators.

Where is SLC located?

Summit Learning Charter is based in Eagle Creek, Oregon, but serves students statewide.

What grades does the Virtual Academy support?

Our Virtual Academy serves students in grades 6-12, making it ideal for families seeking a comprehensive online middle school and/or online high school program.

How much does Summit Learning Charter cost?

Nothing. Summit Learning Charter is a free public charter school publicly funded by the Oregon Department of Education. The only cost you’ll have is the cost of providing a reliable internet connection at home.

Enrollment & Application Process

How can I enroll my child in the Summit Learning Charter Virtual Academy program?

You can fill out a student application here.

Can students enroll mid-year?

Yes! We’ll work closely with your family to ensure a smooth transition.

What is the deadline to apply?

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but we encourage families to apply early to secure their spot and ensure timely access to curriculum and resources.

Do students need to live in Eagle Creek to enroll at Summit Learning Charter?

No. Students can live anywhere in Oregon. We currently serve students in over 30 districts.

Can students attend SLC part time?

No. All students must be enrolled full time.

Can students be enrolled in SLC and another school/program at the same time?

No. When students enroll in SLC, they become full-time students and must complete coursework in all core subjects (Math, Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies) along with elective courses.

Do I have to complete the application process in one sitting?

Nope! You can easily save the application and come back to it when you’re ready.

Curriculum & Learning Experience

Do you offer synchronous and asynchronous courses?

Yes! We offer a mix of live (synchronous) and self-paced (asynchronous) courses so students can customize their learning experience.

How many courses are assigned at a time?

Students are assigned at least four courses per term to complete.

Can students work at their own pace? What if they want to get ahead?

Yes! While students must stay on track with course deadlines, they can work ahead. Once they finish a course, they can start a new one. Many students graduate a year early by working ahead.

Who grades the coursework?

All Summit courses are monitored and graded by our team of highly qualified, Oregon-certified teachers.

How does PE work?

PE credit is earned through a combination of independent study and online curriculum.

How many hours per day do students need to commit to schoolwork?

We recommend studying 1 to 1.5 hours per course per day, totaling about 4-6 hours daily.

Technology & Materials

Does Summit provide a laptop?

Yes! Summit provides a laptop for all enrolled students.

What materials do students need to study at Summit Learning Charter?

All required materials, including a laptop, will be provided. The only requirement is a reliable internet connection at home.

Support & Advising

Is tutoring available?

Our teachers are available for support during their office hours and for scheduling Zoom meetings. Summit offers individualized math tutoring all week. This has been a great new edition based on family feedback.

How can students get in touch with someone if they have any issues?

  • Academic questions → Contact their teacher.
  • General school questions → Contact their advisor (via text, phone, or email).
  • Technical issues → Contact our IT Department.

What can parents do to help their student succeed?

The best tips for parents include:

  • Making a schedule;
  • Reviewing progress regularly;
  • Staying in contact with teachers and advisors.

How can parents stay informed about student progress?

Summit sends weekly grade reports via email. Parents can also check in with their student’s advisor at any time.

How does Summit track attendance?

Attendance is tracked in several ways:

  • Logging into the curriculum and making progress;
  • Attending weekly homerooms (for 9th graders);
  • Checking in with a teacher or advisor;
  • Attending live classes or in-person activities.

Extracurriculars & In-Person Activities

Can students participate in in-person activities?

Yes! We offer optional enrichment opportunities at our campus in Eagle Creek on Tuesdays and Thursdays, including science labs, PE classes, study halls, and more.

Does SLC offer field trips?

Yes. We schedule several field trips throughout the year.

Can students participate in drama/sports/band at their current school?

Absolutely! We are an associate member of OSAA and can assist with any required paperwork.

Does SLC have choir/band class?

Yes, music opportunities are available through our enrichment classes.

Graduation & Credits

Can students graduate early?

Yes! Many students take advantage of our flexible pacing to graduate ahead of schedule.

Can students receive credit for homeschool classes they’ve already taken?

Yes! Summit reviews homeschool coursework and awards elective credits where applicable.

Can students skip grades?

Per ODE regulations, students are enrolled based on age. However, middle and high school students who complete their grade-level curriculum can advance to higher-level coursework.

State Testing & Assessments

Are Summit Learning Charter students required to complete state testing?

Yes. All public schools are required to administer state assessments for students in grades 3-8 and 11.

What kind of testing is required?

OSAS (Oregon State Assessment of Skills) is required for public school students in grades 3-8 and 11.

Can families opt out of state testing?

Families may submit an opt-out request, but state testing helps guide curriculum improvements and individual student support.

Still Have Questions?

If the answer you’re looking for isn’t on this page, feel free to reach out, we’re happy to help!

How to Apply Summit Learning Charter’s Virtual Academy

Complete Your Application

Getting started is easy! Begin by filling out our online application, which gathers key details about your child’s academic background and learning preferences. This helps us tailor their educational experience to their needs.

Submit Your Child’s Transcript

If your child is in grades 9-12, you can include their transcript in their application to help us expedite the admissions process. You can upload their transcript as a PDF during the application process or email us at lwoodruff@summitlc.org.

Stay Connected

Once we receive your application, our admissions team will reach out via email or text to confirm we have everything we need and share the next steps.

Orientation & Welcome

Schedule a New Student Orientation where your child will meet members of the SLC team to get set up for success. During this orientation, they’ll receive their school-issued laptop, and complete four tutorials to learn how to communicate with staff and access their curriculum. We can’t wait to welcome you to Summit Learning Charter!