School Learning Plan

FLEX Online School is the district’s only K-12 virtual school. We serve approximately 600 students who reside across the district. We opened in the 2020/21 school year and are excited to settle into stable, post-pandemic enrollment. 

As a new school, we are learning a lot about each other; what we have done right, what we can do differently, and what structures and systems we need in place to realize our vision. Our data is a mixed collection coming from the students and schools students previously attended. We don’t have a history of our own that we can fall back on outside of our first two years with wide enrollment fluctuations and no location of our own due to the pandemic. At this point, there are no FLEX Online School trends. We will use the information we have to ensure families choosing FLEX will have an equivalently rich and rigorous experience such that students leave with  more opportunities and preparation for a successful future than when they came with. 

We have challenges ahead and all of these require us to think big picture, have a clear school vision and mission, and find our place within the school district community. Below are some of the challenges we are engaged with:

• How can we develop our identity? What does it take for a student to be successful at FLEX? How do we communicate this to the community and district stakeholders?

• Will students choose to stay with FLEX for more than one semester? How does this impact the data we gather for decision-making and improvement planning?

• How do we build a strong FLEX community with students and families? How do we build student relationships so we can address racism, bias, sexism, bullying, LGBTQ, suicide and mental health issues? 

• How can we successfully address services for those students who are English language learners or receiving Special Education support?

• What are our needs at our new location? How can we provide more in-person opportunities for community, hands-on learning, collaboration and to ensure students and families feel valued?
• Families choose FLEX Online School because the traditional, comprehensive model does not fit their needs or our format provides them opportunities that a traditional schedule can’t.. Many are not playing in the school band, singing in the choir or acting in school plays. They aren’t as likely to play for the volleyball, football, soccer or basketball teams. Some have experienced bullying. Some have medical issues that make it hard to attend or participate regularly. Many 11th and 12th graders are credit deficient and looking for a fresh start. These students aren’t connected to school in ways we know foster success. How can FLEX Online School create an environment that is welcoming, safe, inclusive and hopeful for these students when they are coming from so many different environments and experiences?

 

We have built a great teaching and support staff at FLEX and they are eager and ready to tackle these critical questions. They are passionate about their work and excited to help build this school. We are off to a successful start and look forward to continuous improvement and developing FLEX Online School into a viable option for Beaverton School District students and families.

Academics. For the 2021/22 school year, our graduation rate was 76.2%. While we are proud of the work our staff and students did to achieve this, we would like to see this increase to be at or above the overall district average.

Activities. One key to success for all students is to get involved. A wide variety of clubs including Baking Club, Space Club, FLEX News Network, Art Club and more are available for students to join. These high-quality experiences enhance the education of a well- rounded student and help students and families connect and build relationships in our virtual format.

School climate and culture. While students and families report teachers have high expectations for all students, students also indicate that their classes are not always engaging or that they need more support than what is provided during the help sessions. By moving to a new 8-period schedule with many more opportunities for live instruction, we hope to see more engagement and student-to-student interaction.