Summer Bridge Courses --
Before You Register
When does my course start and end?
Click here to access to the school calendar.
What is the schedule (frequency and duration) of my course?
Summer bridge courses are asynchronous and paced. When we say asynchronous, we mean that students choose when to log in and complete their work. There aren’t any required times when the entire class is required to be online together. Our courses, however, are paced--they have regular due dates for assignments and projects.
How much work should I expect to do?
Students participating in these courses should plan to devote 15-20 hours per week for all four weeks of their course. Because of the pacing and intensity of summer courses, students must have the ability to login and complete work for their course daily; students must be available and have internet access for the duration of the course – this is nonnegotiable! See our calendar here.
I'm going to be offline for some of the course. Can I still sign up?
We advise students not to plan camps or extensive travel during the weeks they’re in summer session, because our courses are fast-paced and cover a lot of material. Teachers can’t accommodate student travel or other activities that take you away from your course. If you know that you will be away from the internet for more than one day, it’s important to inform your teacher about the dates in your first meeting. Missing one or two days can create a backlog of late work very quickly. This is especially important at the start of the course. If missing days is unavoidable, your teacher will do his or her best to help you make a plan to complete all the work before you go offline. On some assignments, it may not be possible to get extensions or make up missed work.
Can I get credit for this course at my school?
No. Student work is graded, and students receive regular, weekly feedback from their teachers, and grades and comments on a report card at the end of the course; students do not receive course credit or a transcript for these bridge courses.
If I drop the course, can I get a refund?
Refunds depend on when the course is dropped. If a course is dropped before the first day of classes, a full refund is issued. If a course is dropped during the drop/add period (the first week of summer courses), 50% of tuition is refunded. We can’t offer refunds for any courses dropped after the drop/add period is over. (See our Calendar page for this year’s dates.) Please note that this policy applies even to students who register late for a course.
What kinds of students take One Schoolhouse summer bridge courses?
These courses are designed for students who have seen this material before and have learning gaps but need extra support in preparation for the next school year.
Getting Started
When will I receive login information?
You will receive an email in the first week of July that gives you information about what to expect in your course. On the Friday before your course starts, you’ll receive your login information (username and password), and you can log in for the first time on the first day of classes.
Are there textbooks or materials I need to purchase for my summer course?
All of our courses require materials; many of them are available online for free. Students will receive a resource list in late May. If you have more questions about books or materials, look at our Resource List.
What should I expect for my first week of my summer course?
In your first week of the course, you’ll go through our orientation module, which introduces you to our practices and policies, our Learning Management System, and the best strategies for learning online. After that, you’ll jump right into your course. During the first week, you’ll also meet with your teacher using video chat to talk about your goals for the course.
Who do I contact for technical support once my class has started?
One Schoolhouse offers limited technical support. If you have questions about the computer hardware you plan to use, or have issues with software required for your course, you should contact the One Schoolhouse office at 202.618.3637 or help@oneschoolhouse.org for assistance or for advice on what technical support might be needed. If you encounter a hardware problem, we encourage you to have the issue assessed by an outside computer support service as quickly as possible.
What does learning look like in a One Schoolhouse course?
The same kind of learning takes place in online courses and face-to-face classrooms, but we use different tools online. Instead of seminar-style discussions, we use discussion boards and video chats to create dialogue among students and provide opportunities for reflection. Group projects use wikis for creative collaboration within classes. Students in science classes do labs--some use online simulations, while others use household objects for hands-on exploration. Throughout all the activities of online learning, we know that a student’s connection to the teacher is paramount, so we offer video meetings, opportunities for reflection, and regular feedback.
Communication
What communication should we expect from One Schoolhouse?
Before your course begins, you’ll receive information about calendar and expectations, as well as an invitation to a live webinar for students and parents/guardians with more details about our school, our teachers, and our courses. Once the course opens, students will meet with teachers, and have access to the full range of messaging and support that our LMS offers. In addition, you’ll receive weekly messages from us, keeping you on the path to success in the course. You and your parent/guardian will have access to your current average. If you need additional support in your class, we’ll let you and your parent/guardian know so that you can create a plan to get back on track.
Can my parents talk to my teacher?
If parents/guardians have questions about your course, teacher, or work, we encourage them to communicate with the Director of School Support, Liz Katz, at elizabeth.katz@oneschoolhouse.org. We do not schedule parent-teacher conferences. If a student needs more consistent and repeated support than others in the class, One Schoolhouse works with the parent/guardian to ensure that the student has the right supports in place.
Will my school have access to the final grade and report card?
Students and parents/guardians receive report cards after the midterm (four weeks of coursework) and after the course finishes. If you attend one of our consortium schools, we’ll send them a copy of your transcript and report card. Otherwise, you can submit your report card to your school.
Teachers and Support
How does One Schoolhouse prepare students to take an online course?
We know that taking a course with One Schoolhouse is likely the first online learning course experience for students. That's why we take time to orient students to the online space. The most important part of orientation is connecting students to their teacher to begin to create a strong relationship and set goals for the summer. Teachers also make sure that students know that they're available to meet regularly.
Where do your teachers come from?
One Schoolhouse hires caring and engaged teachers from some of the top independent schools around the country. Eighty percent of our faculty holds a master’s degree and/or a terminal degree. Many teachers come from our consortium schools. All are experienced teachers in their discipline and are specially trained in creating and managing personalized online learning spaces.
What if I need extra help?
If you need additional support, your first stop should always be your One Schoolhouse teacher. Our teachers are available to students through weekly office hours, Skype, phone and email, and frequently via text as well. Whether meetings are occasional or regular, teachers are ready to discuss assignments, review topics or help prepare for assessments.
How do you support students who are having a hard time?
We believe that strong connections help students thrive, so teachers are available to meet with students regularly on multiple platforms: email, video chat, and phone/text. We check and send weekly updates to any students and their parents/guardians who are experiencing challenges, letting the family know about recent work and what steps can get the student back on track. Together, we make sure students have the resources and strategies they need to move forward in the course.