Apex Learning High School
Note: I gathered the information below from the school website, but did not receive a response to my request for interview. Sent 2nd request 10/16/13. The following was the response I received:
Jennifer,
Thank you for sending this thorough set of questions and for your interest in Apex Learning High School. We’ve reviewed the questions from the perspective of a privately held company and find that many ask for proprietary information. While I realize you are doing this interview for a non-competitive reason, we need to be cautious about where such information might get published over time.
So we have decided to decline your request for an interview. For questions we do feel comfortable discussing, the answers are easily found on our website - www.apexlearninghs.com .
In the future, if you have other requests or needs that we can help you with, please try me again and hopefully it will be something we can accommodate.
Tina Ruppelt
Director of Consumer Marketing
Website: http://www.apexlearninghs.com/about-us
Facebook page
Article:
Forum
Online Learning: It's Complicated
Location: Seattle, WA
Contact: Katherine Bach, Head of School• Head of School Katherine Bach is a distinguished educator with more than 20 years of experience. She brings to Apex Learning HS a rich background of administrative, teaching, and curriculum development expertise. She leads the school based on a strong belief in the value of new educational opportunities made possible with online learning, and with the desire to encourage each student’s originality.
• Manager of Instruction Kim Deskin is a veteran educator with 25 years of experience in classroom teaching, curriculum development, educational research, teacher training, and supervision. She feels honored to work with such an expert and enthusiastic faculty.
Interview Conducted:
Questions
1. How is your school accredited?
Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC); National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA); Apex Learning High School Advanced Placement (AP)* courses have been approved through the official College Board Audit process; The University of California Office of the President (UCOP) certified Apex Learning High School courses for freshman admission to the university system, as fulfilling the “a-g” subject requirements
* Advanced Placement and AP are registered trademarks of the College Board.
2. Where does funding for your school come from?
3. What is the tuition for your school?
Students who fulfill all diploma requirements and complete a minimum of 6 courses at Apex Learning High School will receive a high school diploma from Apex Learning High School.
Annual Tuition: $6,500
Annual Registration Fee*: $175
Annual tuition includes:
*The annual registration fee is non-refundable and is paid at the time of enrollment.
4. Is there an application fee?
5. Do you offer financial aid?
6. What grade levels do you offer?
9-12
7. Are there age restrictions?
8. What is the current enrollment of the school? How many are seniors?
9. Are courses organized in classes with fixed start/stop dates or are they independently paced?
Students can begin courses at Apex Learning HS at any time of the year. They can start as a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior. We require students to commit to a minimum of 6 courses—the approximate equivalent of course-work for one year in a traditional high school. Students in 12th grade are required to complete their entire senior year (full-time at a minimum of 6 courses) with Apex Learning HS to earn a diploma.
10. What requirements do you have for teachers? State certification for high school? Virtual Teacher certification?
Most have master’s degrees or higher in their subjects
Apex Learning High School teachers have an average of 21 years of teaching experience, including at least four years of online instruction. By forging a relationship with each student, instructors work with individuals to help them achieve their highest potential, strengthen their confidence, and pursue their interests. Here is what you can expect from every Apex Learning HS teacher:
• Passion for and in-depth knowledge of the academic subject area
• Active engagement with students to motivate and track progress
• Intensive individual feedback and guidance
• Understanding of how to teach most effectively in the online environment
Our counselors take the time necessary to get to know each student’s goals and interests. Guidance counselors design a personalized program for each student to best meet individual academic goals. College counselors help students successfully navigate the college admissions process.
• Counselor, Joe O’Leary, loves helping each individual develop as a scholar and a person. With nine years of experience in high schools — six as a guidance and college admissions counselor — Joseph understands how to communicate with and motivate today’s students. His interactions with students are enriched by best practices he learned while earning his M.A. in school counseling.
11. How are teachers paid? Are they paid only when students complete a course? Does that impact the rigor of the course or the strictness of grading?
12. What are your short-term goals for the school?
13. What is your long-term vision for the school?
14. Where does your curriculum come from? (Who builds it?)
Our online award-winning curriculum is designed to meet the highest scholastic standards. Each comprehensive course is developed by the Apex Learning team of experts — curriculum professionals, instructional designers, subject-matter experts, and assessment specialists — who collaborate to challenge, engage, and motivate students.
100+ course options to match individual needs
15. How would you describe the philosophy behind your content development/school?
The Apex Learning® High School comprehensive college prep program offers what you would expect from the finest private school: a rigorous curriculum, expert teachers, and experience in preparing students for a prestigious college. In addition, full-time students get all the benefits of our online learning environment, including individualized instruction, multimedia presentation of content, and a vibrant community. It all adds up to a personalized, academically excellent high school education that thoroughly prepares students for success in college and beyond.
The Apex Learning HS full-time program challenges students to reach their full potential as learners, thinkers, and communicators.
Each comprehensive course is developed by a team of experts — curriculum professionals, instructional designers, subject-matter experts, and assessment specialists — who collaborate to challenge and motivate students. With a comprehensive catalog of Apex Learning HS online courses available, students have the options they need to open the doors to college success.
To maximize learning outcomes, each course in our rigorous curriculum is designed to fulfill the following requirements:
16. Who maintains your curriculum? How involved are your teachers in the course curriculum?
17. What LMS do you use?
18. How involved are your teachers in student interaction? How do they communicate with students (email, chat, phone, face-to-face) and how often?
19. How much professional development do your teachers receive?
20. What is the nature of the application process for students?
http://www.apexlearninghs.com/admissions
21. What are the most common challenges your students face?
22. What are the biggest challenges your school faces?
23. How do your students compare to those in brick-and-mortar schools? (statistics on graduation rate, college acceptance, SAT/ACT/AP Scores, etc.)
24. How would you describe the students who attend your school?/Honestly speaking, what would you s ay brings most of your students to your school? Is it their option of last resort?
25. I see that your OHS students participate in a number of interactions and clubs. How do they do this? Do most live in the area and get together physically, are these virtual activities, or do they commute?
At Apex Learning HS, school spirit is high. Students engage in online discussions to deepen their understanding of concepts and learn from each other. Online clubs and activities form around mutual interests and develop meaningful connections between students.
26. How would you describe the teachers attracted to online teaching?
27. How would you say your teachers compare the online teaching experience to the F2F teaching experience?
28. Examples of universities that have accepted your students?
29. Could you recommend a couple of students I could interview about their experiences?
30. What other online high schools would you consider the leading schools in American/world today?
Jennifer,
Thank you for sending this thorough set of questions and for your interest in Apex Learning High School. We’ve reviewed the questions from the perspective of a privately held company and find that many ask for proprietary information. While I realize you are doing this interview for a non-competitive reason, we need to be cautious about where such information might get published over time.
So we have decided to decline your request for an interview. For questions we do feel comfortable discussing, the answers are easily found on our website - www.apexlearninghs.com .
In the future, if you have other requests or needs that we can help you with, please try me again and hopefully it will be something we can accommodate.
Tina Ruppelt
Director of Consumer Marketing
Website: http://www.apexlearninghs.com/about-us
Facebook page
Article:
Forum
Online Learning: It's Complicated
Location: Seattle, WA
Contact: Katherine Bach, Head of School• Head of School Katherine Bach is a distinguished educator with more than 20 years of experience. She brings to Apex Learning HS a rich background of administrative, teaching, and curriculum development expertise. She leads the school based on a strong belief in the value of new educational opportunities made possible with online learning, and with the desire to encourage each student’s originality.
• Manager of Instruction Kim Deskin is a veteran educator with 25 years of experience in classroom teaching, curriculum development, educational research, teacher training, and supervision. She feels honored to work with such an expert and enthusiastic faculty.
Interview Conducted:
Questions
1. How is your school accredited?
Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC); National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA); Apex Learning High School Advanced Placement (AP)* courses have been approved through the official College Board Audit process; The University of California Office of the President (UCOP) certified Apex Learning High School courses for freshman admission to the university system, as fulfilling the “a-g” subject requirements
* Advanced Placement and AP are registered trademarks of the College Board.
2. Where does funding for your school come from?
3. What is the tuition for your school?
Students who fulfill all diploma requirements and complete a minimum of 6 courses at Apex Learning High School will receive a high school diploma from Apex Learning High School.
Annual Tuition: $6,500
Annual Registration Fee*: $175
Annual tuition includes:
- Enrollment in 12 semester courses – including Honors and Advanced Placement (AP)* courses – over a period of one calendar year from the student’s first access to a course
- The option to participate in for-credit Interdisciplinary Project courses
- Online teacher for each subject who monitors progress; provides detailed feedback on assignments; and initiates and responds to email communications; and is available real-time for one-to-one support during posted office hours.
- Support from Apex Learning High School team members:
- A guidance counselor who develops an individualized path to graduation
- A pro-active coach who monitors and supports students throughout the year
- A college counselor who helps students navigate the college admissions process
- An online management system that guides and tracks students’ progress through instructional content, and provides communication tools
- 24/7 access to up-to-date student progress reports
- Any required course materials such as books and lab materials
- Supervised clubs and other school activities
- Records and transcripts
- Technical support
- A diploma upon graduation
*The annual registration fee is non-refundable and is paid at the time of enrollment.
4. Is there an application fee?
5. Do you offer financial aid?
6. What grade levels do you offer?
9-12
7. Are there age restrictions?
8. What is the current enrollment of the school? How many are seniors?
9. Are courses organized in classes with fixed start/stop dates or are they independently paced?
Students can begin courses at Apex Learning HS at any time of the year. They can start as a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior. We require students to commit to a minimum of 6 courses—the approximate equivalent of course-work for one year in a traditional high school. Students in 12th grade are required to complete their entire senior year (full-time at a minimum of 6 courses) with Apex Learning HS to earn a diploma.
10. What requirements do you have for teachers? State certification for high school? Virtual Teacher certification?
Most have master’s degrees or higher in their subjects
Apex Learning High School teachers have an average of 21 years of teaching experience, including at least four years of online instruction. By forging a relationship with each student, instructors work with individuals to help them achieve their highest potential, strengthen their confidence, and pursue their interests. Here is what you can expect from every Apex Learning HS teacher:
• Passion for and in-depth knowledge of the academic subject area
• Active engagement with students to motivate and track progress
• Intensive individual feedback and guidance
• Understanding of how to teach most effectively in the online environment
Our counselors take the time necessary to get to know each student’s goals and interests. Guidance counselors design a personalized program for each student to best meet individual academic goals. College counselors help students successfully navigate the college admissions process.
• Counselor, Joe O’Leary, loves helping each individual develop as a scholar and a person. With nine years of experience in high schools — six as a guidance and college admissions counselor — Joseph understands how to communicate with and motivate today’s students. His interactions with students are enriched by best practices he learned while earning his M.A. in school counseling.
11. How are teachers paid? Are they paid only when students complete a course? Does that impact the rigor of the course or the strictness of grading?
12. What are your short-term goals for the school?
13. What is your long-term vision for the school?
14. Where does your curriculum come from? (Who builds it?)
Our online award-winning curriculum is designed to meet the highest scholastic standards. Each comprehensive course is developed by the Apex Learning team of experts — curriculum professionals, instructional designers, subject-matter experts, and assessment specialists — who collaborate to challenge, engage, and motivate students.
100+ course options to match individual needs
15. How would you describe the philosophy behind your content development/school?
The Apex Learning® High School comprehensive college prep program offers what you would expect from the finest private school: a rigorous curriculum, expert teachers, and experience in preparing students for a prestigious college. In addition, full-time students get all the benefits of our online learning environment, including individualized instruction, multimedia presentation of content, and a vibrant community. It all adds up to a personalized, academically excellent high school education that thoroughly prepares students for success in college and beyond.
The Apex Learning HS full-time program challenges students to reach their full potential as learners, thinkers, and communicators.
Each comprehensive course is developed by a team of experts — curriculum professionals, instructional designers, subject-matter experts, and assessment specialists — who collaborate to challenge and motivate students. With a comprehensive catalog of Apex Learning HS online courses available, students have the options they need to open the doors to college success.
To maximize learning outcomes, each course in our rigorous curriculum is designed to fulfill the following requirements:
- Fully engage students in their learning. Apex Learning HS courses use multimedia to capture and maintain students’ attention by engaging all learning modalities. Prompts and interactive exercises give students frequent opportunities to check their understanding and apply what they have learned.
- Help students develop 21st-century skills. The world is becoming more open and collaborative. To prepare graduates for success in college and beyond, Apex Learning HS provides a range of activities and assignments that help students develop exceptional communication, team-building, and problem-solving skills.
- Use proven teaching methods. The digital curriculum at Apex Learning HS is based on time-tested pedagogical principles, such as setting expectations for learning; having regular progress assessment; and using varied teaching strategies like guided inquiry and direct instruction.
- Support individualized instruction. At Apex Learning HS, students choose the level of challenge that matches their learning needs and academic goals—such as taking Honors and Advanced Placement (AP*) courses. As students progress, they receive personalized instruction in the form of embedded support, the ability to review or move forward more quickly, and one-to-one teacher interaction.
- Cover comprehensive, standards-based content. The scope and sequence of each accredited course meets national and state content standards. All Advanced Placement (AP)* courses have been approved by the College Board.
16. Who maintains your curriculum? How involved are your teachers in the course curriculum?
17. What LMS do you use?
18. How involved are your teachers in student interaction? How do they communicate with students (email, chat, phone, face-to-face) and how often?
19. How much professional development do your teachers receive?
20. What is the nature of the application process for students?
http://www.apexlearninghs.com/admissions
21. What are the most common challenges your students face?
22. What are the biggest challenges your school faces?
23. How do your students compare to those in brick-and-mortar schools? (statistics on graduation rate, college acceptance, SAT/ACT/AP Scores, etc.)
24. How would you describe the students who attend your school?/Honestly speaking, what would you s ay brings most of your students to your school? Is it their option of last resort?
25. I see that your OHS students participate in a number of interactions and clubs. How do they do this? Do most live in the area and get together physically, are these virtual activities, or do they commute?
At Apex Learning HS, school spirit is high. Students engage in online discussions to deepen their understanding of concepts and learn from each other. Online clubs and activities form around mutual interests and develop meaningful connections between students.
26. How would you describe the teachers attracted to online teaching?
27. How would you say your teachers compare the online teaching experience to the F2F teaching experience?
28. Examples of universities that have accepted your students?
29. Could you recommend a couple of students I could interview about their experiences?
30. What other online high schools would you consider the leading schools in American/world today?