How much does the ESMEC Blended Virtual Program cost?
Tuition is free for students residing in any of the nine counties on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. This is a public school program.
Is the BVP its own school?
No. Students will be enrolled in a local school in your county of residence. The school will be determined by your residence.
Do all students that apply get accepted into the BVP?
No. Each student must submit an application during open enrollment. Your county of residence will determine which students are eligible to participate in the BVP. Although this program is available for all students on the eastern shore, entrance requirements may vary by county. Please contact your county's BVP representative for more information.
I'M NOT SURE IF I WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE BVP, CAN I ENROLL AT ANY TIME?
No. Due to staffing requirements, applications submitted after the June 5th deadline may not be able to participate in the BVP. Students can be added to a wait list and if a space opens up, students will be contacted based on the order of their application submission.
Can homeschool or private school students enroll in the bvp?
No. Students must be enrolled in a public school within one of the ESMEC districts. Current homeschool or private school students are encouraged to apply, however they must enroll in the local school system and let them know you are interested in the BVP program.
Can I return back to in-person learning at any time?
No. Staffing and running the BVP requires a lot of resources. We ask that students commit to at least one year of virtual learning. The BVP schedule and curriculum may not align with the students in-person school. If a student has an extenuating circumstance, approval to return will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Will students ever have to physically report to a school building?
Yes. Since the BVP is part of the public school system and students must physically report to take any required standardized assessments. Contact your local school for more information.
Will students be able to participate in extracurriculars and athletics?
Yes. Students enrolled in the BVP are public school students and may participate in most extracurricular activities or sports offered by their local school as long as they meet eligibility requirements.
Academics
Will all classes offered at the local school be available through the BVP?
No. While we will offer a wide range of courses, certain specialty programs such as CTE or Band/Choir may not be accessible through the BVP. Students interested in these programs will need to speak to their local representative to discuss options. Click here to view secondary (6-12) courses available for your district.
Will different levels of courses be offered?
Yes. Many high school classes offer a Core (Regular) and Honors track. There are also many AP courses on the approved course list. Please note that course options may vary by school system.
How much synchronous instruction will students receive?
Students will receive a minimum of 40% of instructional time per course synchronously. This is approximately 3 hours per day for students with a full course schedule.
How much asynchronous work will students receive?
The BVP is designed to be a rigorous program that will require students to spend the length of a normal school day (approximately 6-7 hours) completing assignments.
WILL STUDENTS RECEIVE CREDITS THROUGH THIS PROGRAM FOR GRADUATION?
Yes. All credit bearing courses offered through the BVP will meet Maryland State requirements to receive a diploma.
WILL TUTORING BE AVAILABLE IF THE STUDENT IS STRUGGLING?
Yes. Virtual tutoring will be available on-demand from 8 am to 8 pm Monday through Friday.
Accommodations
Will special education and ELL students receive support?
Yes. Students with special education plans (including IEP and 504 plans) and English Language Learner accommodations will receive support. The local school will be responsible for assigning the student to a case manager. That case manager is responsible for communicating the student's accommodations to the online teacher(s). Many student supports are already built into the BVP online platform.
will ESMEC provide technology to students in the BVP?
No. However, the school/district of residence will be responsible for ensuring that each student has appropriate technology and tech support to students.
Will students receiving Free & Reduced price meals (FARM) be able to get meals?
Yes. As public school students, FARM students will be eligible for meals. Please contact your local representative or local school for more information on this process.