Faqs

As a publicly funded charter school, Richard McKenna’s Online program is free to all 9th-12th grade students in Idaho. Students must also be under the age of 21.

Students need internet access and a full computer. While most lessons and assignments can be completed on touch devices such as tablets and even cell phones, some projects will require a full computer running Windows, MacOS, or Chrome. The ergonomics of small and touch devices can also reduce students’ ability to type or view material, and this should also be considered when choosing to attend school online. Richard McKenna does not provide laptops to students. Families in need are encouraged to investigate Idaho’s Empowering Parents grants, which may provide computers to eligible students at http://empoweringparents.idaho.gov.

Yes. Richard McKenna is accredited by Cognia. Accreditation means credits can be transferred to other high schools.

Because Richard McKenna has been a leader in online education for more than 20 years, we have a wealth of experience.

Our unique model has three pillars:

1. Rolling Enrollment. Our rolling enrollment means students can begin courses every Monday during the school year. This means students can enroll at Richard McKenna immediately and don’t need to wait for a new academic term. It also means that when students complete courses early, they can enroll in their next course the very next Monday, allowing them to accelerate their progress toward graduation.
2. Asynchronous Courses. Instruction is asynchronous, meaning students don’t meet with teachers and fellow students at a certain time. Students can participate in lessons and submit assignments at any time convenient to them. Asynchronous courses means students can also work ahead and complete courses early, allowing them to accelerate toward graduation or make up credits previously missed.
3. “2 by 6 Courses”. Students enroll in 2 courses at a time and courses last for only six weeks. This allows students to focus on only 2 subjects intensively instead of trying to balance 7 or 8. It also allows students to see their progress toward graduation at more regular intervals (every six weeks).

Yes, a graduation ceremony is held in May. Students who completed their graduation requirements at any time during the school year may participate in the graduation ceremony.

Yes. Students may take advantage of the state’s Fast Forward program which will pay for tuition at certain colleges in the state and earn both college and high school credit at the same time.

There are many ways students can interact with teachers. They can ask quick questions via text message or email. They may also call their teachers on the phone and all teachers have set office hours dedicated to being available to students. Students might also wish to meet with teachers over video conferencing for additional support. Additionally, the school plans “pop up” events around the state which students can attend to meet teachers and socialize with peers.

No. Students may not be enrolled at another school. Students in sports and extracurricular activities at their local high school can still take part in those activities with that school’s permission, so long as no attendance is being collected. 

Students enroll in 2 courses at a time and courses last for only six weeks. This allows students to focus on only 2 subjects intensively instead of trying to balance 7 or 8. It also allows students to see their progress toward graduation at more regular intervals (every six weeks). Students must be enrolled in 2 courses to maintain enrollment status. 

Yes. Richard McKenna’s Rolling enrollment model means students can enroll in their next course the very next Monday, allowing them to accelerate their progress toward graduation. 

Generally yes, although some courses, such as English courses, might have novel-length reading assignments and some students might prefer to purchase a printed copy of the novel or borrow one from their local library.

Because Richard McKenna’s learning model is Project-Based, and students complete large projects to demonstrate their mastery of content in a course, individual courses do not have tests for final end of course assessment. Internal Standardized testing conducted by the school to track mathematics and language skills and progress is proctored remotely a few times each year. The state mandates that students complete their ISAT test in an on-site proctored environment. The ISAT is given to Juniors and the school will set up testing locations in different areas of the state so that students can complete their ISAT at a convenient location.

Yes. Students can work as fast as they want, complete courses faster than expected, and accelerate progress toward graduation. However, students cannot work as slow as they want. They must meet minimum deadlines in each class and will have assignments due every day in both classes. Students can also work ahead in courses in preparation for family trips, sports competitions, ect. Students cannot take breaks from taking courses during the school year. 

This can vary by course, and even by week within a course. For instance, a photography course might have students adventuring out to take photographs in their community or an English course might have students reading a novel. At other times, students will be designing projects on the computer and submitting their work online. Students will need daily access to a computer to submit assignments on time.

Yes. Richard McKenna’s rolling enrollment means students can begin courses every Monday during the school year. This means students can enroll at Richard McKenna immediately and don’t need to wait weeks or even months for a new academic term to begin. It also means that when students complete courses early, they can begin their next course the very next Monday, allowing them to accelerate their progress toward graduation.

To begin enrollment, click here. After completing the registration form, you will be required to submit a few additional documents so that your registration can be processed. Once processed, prospective students will enroll in our 1-week student orientation course. Students must enroll in student orientation before they can begin taking regular courses.