Counseling Department
Bethel Virtual Academy
Bethel Virtual Academy Overview
BVA is a highly independent, flexible, K-12 online program taught by Bethel School District’s certificated teachers.
BVA follows the Bethel School District's: calendar, policies and procedures, graduation requirements, and trimester scheduling format.
Students have the option to participate in BVA dual-credit classes, other programs such as Running Start, the Pierce County Skills Center, and/or music and JROTC programs at their assigned neighborhood school.
Also see:
Habits of Online Success
Students who are successful at BVA:
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Create a school space at home
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Attend the (mandatory) Advisory Zooms on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11 am
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Check their email at least twice per day
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Work on schoolwork approximately 5.5 hours per day
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Communicate with teachers
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Attend office hours or schedule 1:1 Zooms with teachers when help is needed
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Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress
Guardians of successful students:
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Help create and maintain the school space at home
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Monitor academic progress and class pacing guides
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Communicate with teachers
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Check email at least once a day for BVA communication
Washington State Laws
BVA is classified as an Alternative Learning Environment (ALE) School in Washington State.
ALE state laws requires:
All students to have an individualized Student Learning Plan (SLP)
Monthly Academic Progress determinations and (if necessary) intervention meeting
Attendance - called Weekly Academic Contact (WAC)
What is Weekly Academic Contact?
Weekly Academic Contact (also called WAC) - is attendance
Is WAC required?
Yes. Washington State law requires that all schools, even online schools like BVA, keep attendance
How do I meet WAC?
Most students meet WAC by attending the mandatory Advisory Zooms on Tuesday and Thursday at 11 am.
Students who miss Advisory can meet WAC by having a separate Zoom meeting with a BVA staff member.
What happens if I miss WAC?
There are two types of absences created by missing WAC:
What is a Consecutive Absence?
Missing WAC in back-to-back weeks
Does it reset?
Yes - the consecutive absence count resets the next time the student meets WAC
What happens if I have too many consecutive absences?
15 days - an automated warning letter is sent from the BVA administrator
21 days - the student is withdrawn