MI Online

MI ONLINE 2026-2027

• MI Online Student Request Form

ONLINE COURSE DESCRIPTION
MISD primarily uses APEX Learning as our provider, but also has access to a few other providers for courses. These providers were selected from a vetted list provided by OSPI’s Alternative Learning Department Online Learning Division. All providers have a signed contract for providing courses to the district, which is renewed annually. The contract varies by the type of provider. MISD does not vet the individual courses of the providers, except to determine if a course meets a graduation requirement (ie. is there enough American History in a course for the course to count as the US History requirement). All courses are available for credit on a MIHS transcript.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW
MI Online offers flexibility in when work is completed, but it requires consistent weekly progress and regular communication with the mentor teacher. Flexibility does not remove or replace weekly expectations.

Students who consistently meet expectations remain on weekly check-ins. Students who do not meet expectations will move into structured intervention.

REQUIRED ORIENTATION
All approved MI Online students, including students who have previously taken MI Online courses, must attend a required in-person orientation. Students are not enrolled in the course until orientation is completed.

Orientation includes: program expectations, pacing requirements, check-in procedures, intervention structure, communication expectations, and accessing and navigating the online course platform.

INITIAL ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENT
All students, including students who have previously taken MI Online courses, must attend in person during their scheduled MI Online period for the first 10 school days after enrollment, including block days.

Students must earn a Satisfactory progress mark for each week before they are eligible to transition to weekly check-ins. If the 10th day falls before the end of the week, students are still required to complete a formal Thursday check-in to verify progress before transitioning.

Multiple courses: Students with 2+ online courses must attend daily for at least one scheduled period. Transition to weekly check-ins can be earned after a Satisfactory monthly review in all courses.
 
Late enrollment: Students enrolled in multiple courses significantly after the semester start may be required to attend all scheduled periods daily due to the condensed timeline and increased daily workload.

TIER 1: WEEKLY CHECK-IN (DEFAULT)
Weekly Requirements:
To remain in Tier 1, students must meet both:
Progress: 5% course completion per week
Contact: 1 in-person check-in completed by Thursday at 3:00 PM

If either requirement is not met → the week is marked Unsatisfactory (U)

Students must demonstrate active engagement in their course each week. Completing a large amount of work in advance does not replace the expectation to remain engaged weekly. Weeks with no activity or missed check-in will be marked Unsatisfactory, regardless of overall course progress.

WEEKLY CHECK-IN EXPECTATIONS
Students are responsible for completing one in-person check-in each week (Monday-Thursday).

At the time of check-in, students must:
●    Bring their device and log in to their course
●    Be prepared to show current progress
●    Have completed their weekly progress (5%) by the time of check-in, or understand that the week will be marked Unsatisfactory.

Students are responsible for choosing a check-in time during their scheduled period. They should be considering any conflicts, such as field trips, sports, or other commitments. Waiting until later in the week (e.g., Thursday) increases the risk of not meeting the requirement.

Important Notes:
Completing work without completing a check-in does NOT meet weekly requirements. A check-in without sufficient progress does NOT meet weekly requirements. Both progress AND check-in are required to earn a Satisfactory (S). Meeting weekly requirements is necessary to remain eligible for a letter grade.

Fridays:
Check-ins are not available on Fridays. Fridays are reserved for documentation and review.

Attendance & Absences:
School-related absences (illness, field trips, etc.) should follow normal attendance procedures. However, absences do not remove the expectation to complete weekly progress and weekly check-ins. Students are responsible for planning ahead to meet both requirements.
Alternative check-ins are only available for pre-approved extended absences (two or more consecutive school days), such as multi-day travel or extended illness. These must be arranged in advance when possible.
For these situations, an alternative method of check-in may be approved; however, weekly progress expectations still apply.
 
MONTHLY REVIEW SYSTEM
A student’s monthly status is determined by three factors. Failing any of these triggers a “U” for the month. Two Unsatisfactory (U) weeks in a month result in an Unsatisfactory Month and movement into Tier 2.
Weekly Contact: Missing a check-in means a U is recorded for the week
Weekly Progress: Must hit 5% goal (or more) each week (U for the week if missed)
Monthly Performance: Grade to date must be 60% or higher at the final monthly review

TIER 2: DAILY ATTENDANCE (INTERVENTION MONTH)
Purpose:
Tier 2 is assigned when a student has not consistently met weekly progress and/or contact expectations.

What changes in Tier 2:
Students lose independent work flexibility and must attend their MI Online period every scheduled day, using that time only for their online course and working for the full period.

What This Means:
The scheduled class period must be used for this course and can no longer be used for other classes, tests, or activities. Students must remain for the full period.

Leaving early or showing up late due to attending other classes/activities during this time without prior official attendance clearance will result in an automatic Unsatisfactory for the week.

Work Expectations:
Weekly progress (5%) still applies. Students are expected to work on any overdue and/or upcoming assignments based on the pacing guide and continue work outside of class as needed.

Returning to Tier 1:
To return to weekly check-ins, a student must earn a Satisfactory monthly review, meaning they meet weekly progress expectations (5% per week), maintain a grade to date of 60% or higher, and attend consistently for the full intervention period (one month).

STRIKE SYSTEM & OUTCOMES
Strike 1 (First Unsatisfactory Month) Outcome: Move to Tier 2 (Daily Attendance)

Strike 2 (Second Unsatisfactory Month)
Student is no longer meeting expectations for independent pacing
Outcome: Student is moved to Pass/Fail grading

Strike 3 (Third Unsatisfactory Month)
Student is not successfully engaging in the program
Outcome: Withdrawal from the course

INTERVENTION ACCELERATION
If a student is placed on Tier 2 and continues not to attend and/or demonstrate progress, intervention steps may be implemented prior to the end of the month.
 
If non-compliance continues after pass/fail placement, the student may be referred for withdrawal prior to the next monthly review.

Pass/Fail is the final academic intervention. Students who continue not to meet program expectations after being placed on pass/fail may be withdrawn from the course based on continued non-compliance.

IN-PERSON TESTING
All CST exams and the final exam must be taken in person.

ATTENDANCE REPORTING (QMLATIV)
Failure to meet weekly contact results in an absence recorded at the end of the week. Attendance may be adjusted if check-in requirements are met within the same week.

GRADES
Grades are issued by the online provider and posted to the MIHS transcript using the standard grading scale.
Performance monitoring: Monthly standing is based on the Grade-to-date. This grade includes zeros for any unsubmitted or overdue work. If the grade to date is below 60% at the monthly review, the student is marked Unsatisfactory (U) for that month.

Earning a letter grade requires meeting both academic progress expectations and program expectations (attendance and check-ins). Students who complete coursework but do not follow program expectations will be moved to pass/fail.

A 93-100%    B+ 87-89.9%    C+ 77-79.9%    D+ 66-69.9%
A- 90-92.9%    B 83-86.9%    C 73-76.9%    D 60-65.9%
    B- 80-82.9%    C- 70-72.9%    F 0-59.9%

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
All work must be original and completed independently. The use of unauthorized tools (including AI, translators, Google, or outside assistance) is not allowed and considered academic dishonesty. Consequences may include a zero on the assignment, loss of retake opportunities, and additional disciplinary action. Students are responsible for contacting their online teacher if they need clarification or support.

ACCESS TO FUTURE ONLINE COURSES
Students who do not follow program expectations, fail, or withdraw from a course will lose eligibility for future MI Online courses.
 
MISD ONLINE Student/Parent Agreement

Student Name:

Course:

Requested Start Date:    Start Date:

Requested End Date:    End Date:

Student Expectations:
I have read and understand the expectations and requirements for online courses through Mercer Island School District.

●    Manage online learning responsibly and consistently each week
●    Maintain regular progress toward course completion
●    Attend scheduled in-person check-ins weekly (or as assigned)
●    Communicate weekly with the MI Online mentor teacher
●    Log into the course regularly and stay engaged in coursework
●    Complete assignments independently with academic integrity
●    Take all required tests (including CSTs) in person with mentor teacher

Student Name (Print)    Student Signature    Date

Parent Expectations:
I have read and understand the expectations and requirements for online courses through Mercer Island School District.

●    Monitor student progress regularly through provided course access tools
●    Support student responsibility for completing coursework and meeting expectations
●    Ensure academic integrity of student work
●    Communicate with mentor teacher or online teacher as needed
●    Be aware that courses may include work during school breaks based on pacing
●    Pay for and acquire all course materials needed to support the online curriculum.

Parent Name    (Print)    Parent Signature    Date