Charting a New Path: A Spotlight on the Online Middle School Department​

Online Middle School is a bridge between our Home School Academy and high school academies, providing direct instruction and structured support to our middle school students. Credentialed teachers work one-on-one with students and their families to deliver instruction, complete assignments, monitor academic progress, and foster an engaging and supportive learning environment.

“Online Middle School teachers are passionate about creating a learning experience beyond just lessons. We understand that independent online learning can be challenging, so we bring depth and meaning to our students’ curriculum through our live classes in a way that makes learning come alive,” explains Credentialed Teacher April Ashton.

“Our primary focus has been to adapt our program to meet the needs of our students, ensuring they remain our top priority,” adds Chelsea Little, Credentialed Teacher. “In Online Middle School, we have a unique opportunity to foster a truly iterative environment. Our Online Middle School team continually builds on successes and addresses challenges through ongoing iterations that reflect our commitment to being student-centered.”

Speaking of students, meet Online Middle School student Javier!

What Makes Online Middle School Unique?

Just like Visions, our Online Middle School program is unique in its structure, supports, and services to students. Like our other academies, OMS students work from the comfort and safety of home, however unlike Home School, where the parent is the primary educator, or our high school academies, where learning is more self-paced, OMS students receive daily live instruction from a credentialed teacher in all core subjects.

“This program is unique in that students work from home but are supported daily with online instruction and support from credentialed teachers. The program offers flexibility while still providing enough support for students who need more teacher interaction,” says Credentialed Teacher Brian Hoffman.

“From the beginning, the Online Middle School team has placed a strong emphasis on collaboration and student needs,” adds Credentialed Teacher Rita Wingfield. “By prioritizing these aspects, we have been able to create a program that is adaptive, flexible, and upholds a high standard of student success.”

In addition to teacher support, Online Middle School students have a dedicated counselor, Connie Mandujano, who ensures they are not only supported academically, but mentally and socially-emotionally as well.

“As a counselor, it has been incredibly rewarding to directly connect with students, enabling more personalized support,” says Connie Madjunao, Counselor. “Our OMS students benefit from dedicated homeroom sessions that provide valuable opportunities for college and career exploration, as well as social-emotional learning, further enhancing their overall development.”

It’s Good to be Visions

We are coming up on the end of our 25th anniversary year, where we have reflected on everything from growing enrollment to enhanced social opportunities. As we continue on this journey to expanding our services to students, we are reminded of the path we continue to lay for charter success, and how good it is to be Visions.

“I began at Visions when we were one academy. Visions then added additional high school offerings to better meet the needs of students,” says Christine Garrard, Credentialed Teacher and 23-year Visionary. “As part of our Online Middle School academy this year, it is exciting to see Visions expand again as a way to provide an additional option for families. It’s a special honor to be a part of an organization that continues to refine its focus and find new ways of uniquely serving the diverse needs of our student population.”

Sometimes, the breadth of our work here at Visions can get lost in our day-to-day service to students, but Credentialed Teachers Alexis Preston and Emily Haley are able to provide perspective through two unique lenses.

“As a [former] TOSA, I developed resources to support teachers, families, and the organization, focusing on creating effective learning experiences for both educators and students,” explains Alexis. “I am actively using the curriculum I reviewed to create engaging learning opportunities for synchronous instruction, providing deeper support for students.”

“During my first few weeks here, I was pleasantly surprised by how intentional the teachers, support staff, and administrators are at fostering personalized connections with students despite it being an online program,” says Emily, who began at Visions in January. “My new colleagues are highly skilled and truly passionate about serving students’ individualized needs and work together to make sure students are successful and meet their full potential.”

“Every day in OMS, we collaborate to enhance our delivery of instruction, build and strengthen relationships with students and families, and ultimately drive student success. But, our impact goes beyond academics,” says Credentialed Teacher Lesley Storz. “The Visions programs designed to engage students, including clubs, sports, tutoring, and counseling, as well as dedicated support from our social workers, are cultivating a vibrant school community in OMS that is second to none. By encouraging student involvement in our extracurricular programs, we’re not just building a strong community of learners – we’re preparing them to succeed in our rapidly changing world. It’s good to be Visions!”