Frequently Asked Questions

If I am not enrolled in a consortium district, can I take a course from JEDI?

The courses are provided at no additional cost  for JEDI Virtual School students  enrolled through a JEDI consortium district .

Any student who has open-enrolled or paid tuition in any school district in the consortium may also be enrolled in the JEDI Virtual School.

If a student is not a resident of a consortium district or open enrolled to one, out of district tuition payment is required to attend JEDI Virtual School.

Out of consortium students may purchase individual courses from JEDI by filling out a single course registration form available on this site.     

What does it cost? 

 Students who are not enrolled in one of the consortium districts may purchase a seat in any of the courses for a fee  per half credit. For more information regarding fees contact our JEDI office. To enroll, use the Application Form under "How to Enroll" to begin the process.

• Is JEDI Virtual School the same as home schooling? 

Students enrolled in the JEDI Virtual School are attending a public school, however they do their schooling at home.

Home Schooling families choosing to enroll in their home district while maintaining the at-home learning environment, as well as those currently enrolled in their traditional district schools enjoy the advantages of JEDI

  JEDI offers  Board approved comprehensive elementary, middle, and  high school curriculums that are aligned to State standards and accessible to students online.

 JEDI Virtual School students are guided by a Personal Education Plan.  The plan is cooperatively developed by the student, the parent, guidance and/or special education representatives, and a JEDI representative.  This planning process gives much more parental control regarding course selection, learning site, and learning pace. 

• What kind of diploma will my child receive after completing JEDI Virtual School? 

The parent and student decide whether the student will receive a Cambridge High School diploma (Our chartering district) or work toward receiving a diploma from their local consortium member high school.

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

Yes, JEDI is a public high school, and accepts students with disabilities. Students requiring the assistance of their special education teacher would have access to those services through their home school.

As with all students, virtual courses must be evaluated with the student's needs in mind. The virtual program, with one-to-one teaching, the support of parents and a learning coach, and flexible work environment and schedule may be deemed as an appropriate placement as a part of the student ’s appropriate Individual Education Plan (IEP) within the resident district.

However, learning in an online environment may not be an appropriate placement for every student. District Guidance staff, parents, and special education staff should make that determination before deciding to enroll the student in courses.

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

The main content of courses is available directly through our secure, online student classroom area.  In some cases, links might be provided so that students can take advantage of other information available online.  It is suggested that filtering software is used on your child’s computer and that you use parental supervision to protect your child from unwanted information on the Internet.

• Our family travels quite a bit.  Would that be a problem in the JEDI program? 

JEDI is the perfect environment for a family that travels.  As long as WiFi or broadband access is available, your child will be able to complete the lessons.

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

Students enrolled in the same class communicate with each other through virtual classroom discussions using a discussion board.  Student instant messaging and e-mail is also available. 

• As a parent, how can I check on my student's progress? 

All parents are given access to the student login and password so that they may go into their child’s classes and monitor the assignments that have been completed and the grades. We encourage all parents to be actively involved in their student's progress and are happy to assist them.

• Is JEDI Virtual School Affiliated with any for-profit organizations?

JEDI is a completely non-profit organization , funded solely by course and consortium fees.  Unlike many other virtual  schools, none of the funding received for the operation of JEDI is given to any outside organization.

• What happens if we complete the Open Enrollment forms and later change our minds about attending JEDI? 

The Open Enrollment process is directed by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, and has very specific directions.  The information is available at the following website:  http://dpi.wi.gov/sms/psctoc.html. You may request open enrollment to a school with the assurance that you may change your mind at any til year begins.

 If a decision is made not to follow through with the open enrollment, the parent should notify the non-resident district immediately so that when the open enrollment information is sent out at the beginning of the school year, your student will be listed as not open enrolled. 

• What is a charter school? 

A charter school is a public non-sectarian school created through a contract or “charter” between the operators and the sponsoring school board or other chartering authority. 

The Wisconsin Charter School Law gives charter schools freedom from certain state rules and regulations in exchange for greater accountability for results.  The charter defines the missions and methods of the charter school. The chartering authority holds the school accountable to its charter.

The basic concept of charter schools is that they exercise increased autonomy in return for this accountability.  They are accountable for both academic results and fiscal practices to several groups: the sponsor that grants them, the parents - who choose them, and the public that funds them.

• What types of courses are offered at JEDI Virtual School? 

JEDI offers comprehensive high school, middle school, and elementary school curriculums including core, elective, and enrichment coursework.

• What makes JEDI different than other online schools? 

While there are many choices for online schooling.  JEDI is one of the few online schools that is not run by a public, outside entity. 

JEDI is operated by a Governing Board made up of appointed members from the  school districts of the JEDI consortium.  Therefore all funds acquired by the JEDI Virtual School go directly into the educational programs offered by the school, not to a for-profit organization.

• Is there required participation in state standardized testing? 

Students taking part in the JEDI Virtual School are required to paticipate in the same State standardized testing as other public school students , including the 10th grade testing.

• My child wants to participate in high school sports, forensics, and other extra-curriculars.  Will he/she be able to do that in the JEDI Virtual School? 

JEDI students are eligible to participate in WIAA (Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association) sanctioned activities if they meet their district and WIAA eligibility requirements.

• How much time does it take to complete a course? 

While the pace for individual assignment completion is established by the student, students are given a maximum of five months to complete a half-credit course. We encourage students to create a pace chart that includes individualized due dates to finish on schedule.

The student may complete courses as quickly as they choose, but they must complete ALL assignments, and all work submitted must be of passing quility to ensure a passing grade and credit being earned.

If a student feels they may not complete a course in the five month period, they need to contact their learning coach or the On-Site monitor in their school for an extention. A course extension must be requested at least a week BEFORE the scheduled end date.

Your coach or OSM will contact JEDI staff to complete the extension.

 Not all courses will be allowed an extension. We always encourage students to be consiencious and shcedule their due dates to finish on time. Timely completion of your courses is a good lifetime habit to employ.

• How will students be evaluated? 

Students will be given quizzes and tests, as well as a vatiety of assignments and projects to assess their understanding of the subject matter being learned.

That is why ALL coursework must be completed to earn a passing grade, not just the quizzes.

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

Teachers can be contacted via their e-mail, the Moodle message system, or on the phone during  established office hours. 

• Where do we get textbooks and how much do they cost? 

Most courses require no online textbooks. However, we suggest you browse through your course at the start and make a list of any books, novels, software, etc. that might be needed. Many may be borrowed from your local or school library free of charge.

All materials needed for students enrolled in the JEDI Virtual High School will be provided by the school at no charge to the student.

Students (or schools) purchasing single courses for students not enrolled in JVS will be responsible for the purchase of required materials. Individual school districts may have policies regarding single course fees and materials purchase. Students are encouraged to check with their local school regarding those policies.

• Is the curriculum accredited? 

JEDI offers a Board approved comprehensive curriculum that is aligned to State standards.  The course content mirrors that of the courses offered in the other schools in area districts.  All teachers hold appropriate  licenses.

• What grades do you cover? 

Currently JEDI Online Charter School enrolls students from grade  Kindergarten-12.

• How is a student’s grade placement determined? 

For students entering the program, initial grade placement is determined after a review of an official transcript, other documentation, and information provided by the student and parent during the application process.  Grade advancement will be based on cumulative credits earned while enrolled in the program.  The school district’s decision on grade placement is final.

• What is the role of the learning coach or On-Site Monitor? 

Learning Coaches- A trained learning coach is provided to full-time JEDI Virtual School students to be a consistent guide in the student’s learning.  The coach will monitor the student’s progress and maintain close contact with the student, parents, and JEDI Student Services staff via phone, e-mail and even in person visits, if needed. 

On-Site Monitors- Students purchasing individual courses through their school will be assiged an On-Site Monitor to assist them and encourage adequate progress each week.

• How is a student’s educational plan determined? 

The educational plan for a JEDI Virtual School student is determined first by the student’s educational needs and then by their interests. With the assistance of student services personelle, guidance, and parents, students  select core and elective courses at a pace that meets their ability level. Students can work toward meeting the requirements of either a JEDI/Cambridge High School diploma, or a diploma from their local high school.

• What access to technology should the student have? 

Students will need to have a computer system with a broadband Internet connection and Windows 2000, or better, platform.

SStudents also need permission to turn off pop-up blockers and install and run regular updates for JAVA.

Some courses require access to resources on the internet (You-Tube, Teacher Tube, etc.) . If a student's school blocks such applications, they should be prepared to complete assignments requiring them at home or in another location outside of their school building.

• Which students are viable candidates for Internet-based courses? 
• Online courses can be a valuable option for many different types of students, if they have regular access to a high speed internet connection and the ability to read and operate a computer well enough to complete assignments on the computer.
• Successful students have included the following:
• *Home School students wanting to participate in free, transcripted courses with teacher and learning coach support.
• *Home School students who want to enroll in their resident district for access to sports, etc. but still want their students to study in a homeschool environment online.
• *College-bound students in need of advanced or specialized coursework.
• *Credit deficient students needing specific courses in order to graduate.
• *Students wanting to improve their skills in specific subject areas.
• *Remedial students who require one-on-one support and/or credit recovery options.
• *Gifted or advanced students who want expanded educational offerings such as AP and Honors courses.
• *Summer school students
• *Students with scheduling conflicts.
• *Students who have been expelled.
• *Homebound students
• *Students who may not otherwise have a particular course offering available.

• What is it like to take an online course? 

Taking a course online requires self-motivation, organization,and teamwork with parents and other supervising adults. The most successful students understand they need to create a regular learning schedule just as if they were taking courses in a building.

Each course has a real teacher teaching it, just like brick and mortar classes. Because you are not meeting face-to-face each day, your conversations with your teachers will most often be via e-mail.

JVS students need to have contact regularly with their learning coach.

Single course students should meet regularly with their building on-site monitor.

Skype is another tool we encourage our teachers, Learning Coaches, and families to use to add a "personal" touch to the learning experience. You can meet your teacher online and discuss problems you might be having as if you WERE in the same room.

An Internet-based approach to learning uses interactive online technology and requires REGULAR, active participation in each course. 

Online courses provide a rich multimedia environment with engaging, high-quality content for individualized discovery through the learning process.  Students engage in dynamic learning activities which are multimedia-enforced .

• How do we get started? 

Click Here for more information about how to enroll.