FAQs

Applying for Heights Online courses does not guarantee a seat in a Heights Online course. Enrollment will depend on course availability and individual student scheduling and credit needs. After students apply, deans will work with families and students to finalize registration.

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Heights Online is a new and distinct program that is different from Heights from Home (or distance learning). Our course offerings for Heights Online are not currently comprehensive, so it is not an alternative to distance learning.

Yes. Heights Online students will spend most of their day in a traditional schedule, so participating in Heights Online will not affect access to meals for students who qualify for free- and reduced-price lunch.

Yes. The high school administration team, including principals and deans, will also oversee Heights Online.

Heights Online enrollment is done by semester and is not currently a comprehensive course offering, so it is not intended to be a temporary alternative for students who will have short-term absences. In this case, students who are going to be out of town or overseas for an extended period of time.

Yes. Special Education teachers will continue to support students with IEPs.  The case managers will support with ensuring goals and accommodations are being implemented and monitored.

Yes. Teachers for Multilingual Learners will support students and families. Support could include but is not limited to office hours (online or in-person), collaboration with instructors, and providing resources.

Yes.

Heights Online students will continue to take most of their courses through our traditional daily schedule, so for the most part, their daily schedule will remain the same. On “live, in-person days,” students will be expected to report on time to their classrooms onsite for class. On “flex” days, students are not required to be onsite during the time scheduled for their Heights Online course, but are required to report on time to the remainder of their courses.

Heights Online courses are taught in a hybrid format and will include both “live, in-person” and “flex” days. On live. in-person days, students will be required to report onsite for class. On flex days, students are not required to be onsite during their class time. Live, in-person day coursework may include activities such as hands-on experiences, live class discussions, small group work, projects, etc. Flex day coursework may include activities such as watching instructional videos, posting to discussion boards, completing notes or reflections, submitting short assessments, etc. Flex days may include opportunities for office hours or appointments with the instructor, but will not include live whole-class time with the teacher (such as a whole-class Zoom call). While flex coursework may occur outside of the physical school building and traditional bell schedule, it is crucial for students to engage with flex coursework in order to be prepared for live class sessions and be successful overall in a Heights Online course.

Heights Online students will have regularly scheduled face-to-face time with their teachers during live, in-person class sessions. During flex days, students will have opportunities to connect with their teachers through office hours (face-to-face or virtual) or written communication (such as email).

Heights Online courses are designed to offer more opportunities for teachers to support individual students. Teachers will be available during flex days for support which may include office hours (online or in-person) or email. If a student is finding a class challenging, the best first step is to reach out to the course instructor.

Yes. School Social Workers and Psychologists will  support students' mental health needs.

Yes. Heights Online students will receive a Chromebook for academic use. Students who need hotspots may apply to check one out from our technology department.

Yes. The technology department will have daily open hours to support student technology needs.

Yes. Heights Online teachers will host parent-teacher conferences as part of Columbia Heights High School’s conferences.

Columbia Heights Public Schools recommends that families’ support varies based on their student’s needs and progress. Families should keep an eye on their student’s progress, grades and support student-teacher communication.