FCPS says virtual school is growing at high school level as parents praise program, staff outline enrollment and outreach plans

At a June meeting of the CNI committee, Frederick County Public Schools officials described the district's consolidated virtual programs and said high-school enrollment is increasing while elementary and middle levels show dips that staff will study.

Dr. Effie Mirshaw, director of high schools, and Mr. Watson, principal of FCPS's virtual program, told committee members that a unified Frederick County Virtual School (FCVS) umbrella was created to bring remote programs under common leadership and supports. "When you look at SY21-22 ... and the number 320, which is what the current predicted enrollment is for 26-27, it is mirroring that number," the presenter said, noting pandemic-era enrollment patterns and projected stabilization.

Mr. Watson described the FCVS instructional model as "a balance of structured synchronous learning opportunities as well as independent learning," and said high-school students receive two synchronous meetings per week per course. He added that teachers are available daily for individual or small-group support. The district emphasized that thousands of students take supplemental courses through FCVS while still enrolled at their home schools, for reasons such as scheduling flexibility or access to specialized courses.

Parents at the meeting offered firsthand endorsements. "I would like to take a moment to express my sincere appreciation for the remote virtual program," Laura O'Neill said, crediting staff in special education and related services and asking that slides showing zeros for FY24 and FY25 be clarified to reflect the discontinuation of grades 3'5 rather than a lack of enrolled students. Melissa Meredith, a parent of three, said synchronous instruction is a "lifeline" for students facing health or social challenges and urged that synchronous lessons remain a priority.

The presenters acknowledged those concerns. They said the district will adjust presentation slides to clarify the FY24 and FY25 figures tied to grade-level discontinuation and emphasized outreach steps: increasing application windows (three this year), closer counselor communication, and individualized support for midyear placements when schedule space allows. "We'll continue as a leadership team to explore ways of how we can communicate, market, and share those opportunities with families in FCPS," Mr. Watson said.

Staff also discussed transitions from middle to high school: roughly half of RVP eighth graders continue full-time in ninth grade RVP, with others choosing to return to home schools for extracurriculars such as sports and theater. Officials said they are developing onboarding supports to help more students make that transition.

On staffing and program quality, presenters said they are refining staffing structures, strengthening student supports, and increasing professional collaboration across teachers. They pointed to climate surveys and academic engagement data as encouraging indicators and credited leadership continuity for program stability.

The committee did not take any formal votes specific to FCVS during the presentation. The meeting later approved routine minutes for prior meetings.