2
Table of Contents
A Message From the Dean & Superintendent ................................................................................. 5
VISION, MISSION, PHILOSOPHY .......................................................................................................... 6
Vision Statement .............................................................................................................................. 7
Mission Statement ........................................................................................................................... 7
Philosophy Statement ......................................................................................................................7
Educational Goals and Objectives ....................................................................................................9
Spiritual and Moral Development .............................................................................................9
Personal Development ..............................................................................................................9
Social Development ................................................................................................................ 10
Academic Development ...........................................................................................................10
Spiritual Core Values ......................................................................................................................11
Accreditation ..................................................................................................................................11
ENROLLMENT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ....................................................................................... 12
Admission to LUOA ........................................................................................................................ 13
Transferring Credits to LUOA ........................................................................................................ 13
International Records………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..14
Student Academic Status .............................................................................................................. 15
Academic Status as Recognized by the State ......................................................................... 15
New York Residents ................................................................................................................ 15
LUOA Full- and Part-Time Statuses ......................................................................................... 15
Verification of Enrollment....................................................................................................... 16
Academic Calendar ........................................................................................................................ 16
Attendance Policy .......................................................................................................................... 16
Non-Institutional Credit Policy ...................................................................................................... 17
Extension Policy ............................................................................................................................. 17
Full-Year Courses .................................................................................................................... 18
Semester Courses ................................................................................................................... 18
Course Withdrawal ........................................................................................................................ 18
3
Conditional Enrollment ................................................................................................................. 19
Cancellation of Enrollment ............................................................................................................ 19
Release of Official Transcripts ....................................................................................................... 20
Transcript Changes .........................................................................................................................20
ACADEMIC AND STUDENT SUPPORT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ..................................................... 21
Academic Structure ........................................................................................................................22
Parental and Affiliate Role ..............................................................................................................22
Faculty Role ................................................................................................................................... 23
Academic Support ......................................................................................................................... 23
Section 504 Plan Policy .................................................................................................................. 24
Technical Support .......................................................................................................................... 26
Minimum Computer System Requirements .................................................................................. 27
Hardware Requirements ......................................................................................................... 27
Software Requirements .......................................................................................................... 28
Assessments .................................................................................................................................. 29
Assignments .................................................................................................................................. 29
Types of Assessments ............................................................................................................. 29
Resubmission Policy ...................................................................................................................... 30
Enhanced Courses ......................................................................................................................... 32
Participation Grade ................................................................................................................. 32
Semester and Final Exam Proctoring ...................................................................................... 32
Late Work ................................................................................................................................ 32
Final Work Submissions ................................................................................................................. 33
Determining Course Grades .......................................................................................................... 33
Awarding Semester Credit from Full-Year Courses ................................................................ 34
Course Credit ................................................................................................................................. 34
Audit and Repeat Courses ............................................................................................................. 35
Prerequisites .................................................................................................................................. 35
Materials Selection Policy ............................................................................................................. 35
Library ............................................................................................................................................ 36
National Beta Club ......................................................................................................................... 37
LUOA Student Clubs ...................................................................................................................... 37
4
STUDENT EXPECTATIONS ................................................................................................................. 38
Academic Integrity ........................................................................................................................ 39
Honor Code ................................................................................................................................... 39
Cheating......................................................................................................................................... 40
Plagiarism & Self-Plagiarism .......................................................................................................... 40
Consequences for Violating the Honor Code .................................................................................42
Conflict Resolution .........................................................................................................................43
Respect ...........................................................................................................................................43
Ten Keys to Unlocking LUOA Educational Success .........................................................................43
HIGH SCHOOL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ....................................................................................... 48
High School Graduation Requirements ......................................................................................... 49
Class Placement ............................................................................................................................. 49
Class Rank & GPA........................................................................................................................... 49
Elective Courses ............................................................................................................................. 50
Dual Enrollment Program .............................................................................................................. 50
FERPA………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..51
NCAA Approved Courses ............................................................................................................... 51
Virginia Diploma ............................................................................................................................ 52
Diploma Completion Plans ............................................................................................................ 52
Graduation Ceremony ................................................................................................................... 52
Graduation Fee .............................................................................................................................. 53
LEGAL POLICIES ................................................................................................................................ 54
Non-Discrimination Policy ............................................................................................................. 55
Cyberbullying Policy ...................................................................................................................... 55
Parental Rights Policy .................................................................................................................... 56
Suicide & Self-Harm Policy ............................................................................................................ 56
Child Abuse or Neglect Policy ........................................................................................................ 56
Adult Learner Policy ...................................................................................................................... 57
5
A MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN & SUPERINTENDENT
Welcome to Liberty University Online Academy (LUOA), where we seek to provide quality
academics through a biblical worldview for students in the United States and around the world.
It is our prayer that our students graduate with an exceptional education and with a better
understanding of who they are in Christ Jesus.
LUOA began in 2007 under the direction of the late Dr. Jerry Falwell and continues to enjoy the
full support of the current president, Dondi E. Costin, and the executive leadership of Liberty
University.
LUOA is accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and Cognia,
which is dedicated to advancing excellence in education worldwide. Cognia is the parent
organization of the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School
Improvement (NCA CASI), Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC), and Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS
CASI). LUOA is recognized by the Virginia Council for Private Education as an accredited K-12
private school in Virginia. These accreditations and affiliations ensure that your student will
receive the highest quality education available. We are pleased that we have obtained these
credentials, which signify our commitment to providing a quality, Christ-centered educational
opportunity for you and your students.
Our grades K–12 program offers curriculum for full-time or part-time students and students
graduating with a standard diploma, advanced diploma, or on track to earn an associate degree.
We offer dual enrollment courses through Liberty University for juniors and seniors who aspire to
earn college credit and high school credit by completing collegiate coursework. These dual
enrollment courses likewise qualify for NCAA eligibility. We also offer Enhanced courses that are
available to high school students and are NCAA-approved, making them an option for athletes
considering playing sports at the collegiate level. Our dedicated and highly qualified faculty and
staff provide effective, knowledgeable, and professional support to engage students in the
educational process and to aid parents, guardians, and affiliate points of contact (POCs)
throughout the school year. We have also developed proprietary curriculum from which your
student will only benefit as a part of LUOA.
We appreciate your confidence in our academy, and we look forward to serving you as we seek
to serve the Lord through LUOA!
Dr. Chris Rusk
Dean & Superintendent
6
VISION, MISSION, PHILOSOPHY
7
VISION STATEMENT
Liberty University Online Academy (LUOA) seeks to lead students to faith in Jesus Christ, to
develop young men and women who adhere to a Christian worldview, and to prepare them to
participate as godly members of their home, church, and community.
MISSION STATEMENT
To work toward its vision, LUOA seeks to provide support to parents/guardians/affiliate POCs in
their biblical responsibility to train their students to become Christ-centered men and women
with the values, knowledge, and skills essential to impact the world.
PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT
The philosophy of LUOA is based on the premise that man’s ultimate purpose is to glorify God
(Isaiah 43:7; 1 Corinthians 10:31). Thus, LUOA serves as an extension of students’ families to
aid them in their God-given responsibility to educate their children for the glory of God (Psalm
78:5–6). LUOA exists to help students reach their full potential by guiding them in developing
spiritually, morally, personally, socially, and academically (Luke 2:52; Colossians 1:9–10). The
faculty and staff recognize that only when students accept Jesus Christ as Savior and yield to
His Lordship can they realize their unique potential (Romans 10:10–13).
LUOA is a K–12 school that exists as a department of Liberty University. Teachers and
administrative staff must be professed born-again Christians who are committed to living for
Jesus Christ, understanding that their lives serve as an example to those they teach.
Education and learning are biblical imperatives (Deuteronomy 6:6–7; Proverbs 3:1–9); therefore,
all instruction is biblically based (Deuteronomy 4:2–9). LUOA designed the curriculum based on
the following biblical themes:
Detailed Outline of Biblical Themes
Themes
Topics
Characteristics of
God
God’s divinity
The Trinity
God’s glory
God’s sovereignty
God’s love
8
Sin and death
Suffering
Spiritual warfare
Consequences
Persecution
Total depravity
Salvation through faith in Jesus Christ
The Gospel — the death, burial, and resurrection of
Jesus Christ
The judgment
Repentance
Confession of sin
Justification
Eternal life
Discipleship
Bible reading
Spiritual gifts
Leadership and purpose
Personal responsibility and accountability
Sanctification
Stewardship
The Christian’s body as the Holy Spirit’s temple
The Great Commission
Dominion
Salt and light
Greatest commandments
Jesus Christ
Incarnation of Jesus
Christ’s sacrifice
Resurrection
Christ the Messiah
Christ’s return
God’s Relationship
With Humanity
God’s desire for relationship
God’s empathy
God’s revelation
Mercy, grace, and justice
Prayer
God works through humanity
Free will
Creation
God created everyone and everything
God created man in His image
Heaven
Hell
The new heaven and new earth
Satan
9
The authority of the Bible
The inerrancy of the Bible
Biblical perspective of life
Marriage and family
Civil government
The local church
The body of Christ
Baptism
Communion
Moral order
Obedience
Defending the faith
Divine revelation
EDUCATIONAL GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
SPIRITUAL AND MORAL DEVELOPMENT
•
Inform students of their sinful nature and God’s unconditional love for them (Romans
3:23; John 3:16).
•
Lead students to an acceptance of Christ as their Lord and Savior (Romans 10:13).
•
Help students recognize the Bible as the inspired, inerrant, authoritative Word of God (2
Timothy 3:16).
•
Develop a desire in students to know, love, and obey the will of God through daily prayer
and Bible reading and participation in a local church (2 Timothy 2:15; Hebrews 10:24–
25).
•
Instill in students the knowledge of the foundational truths and doctrines of God’s Word
and the desire to apply these in life (2 Timothy 2:15; Ephesians 6:13–17; 1 Peter 3:15).
•
Instruct students about the importance of recognizing and overcoming sin and of living
godly, obedient lives (Ephesians 4:21–32).
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
•
Help students see and accept themselves as unique individuals, created in the image of
God with special gifts to be fully developed for His glory (Psalm 139:13–16; 1 Corinthians
12:7–11).
10
•
Instruct students to develop habits of good stewardship over all that God has given
them — time, talents, material possessions — and the physical environment (Luke
12:48; Ephesians 5:16, 1 Peter 4:10).
•
Teach students personal responsibility and accountability for their words, actions, and
attitudes (Romans 14:12; Galatians 6:7–8; 1 Timothy 4:12).
•
Encourage physical fitness, good health habits, and wise use of the body as the temple
of God (1 Corinthians 6:19–20).
•
Teach students to develop the ability to make decisions based on biblical principles
(Psalm 1:1–2; Psalm 119:105; 1 Corinthians 2:14–16).
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
•
Encourage students to view all others as made in God’s image and to treat them with
love and respect (Genesis 1:27; John 13:35; James 2:8–9).
•
Help students develop the skills, perspectives, and desire to function as cooperative
members of the larger society (Romans 12:18; Romans 13:1–7; 1 Timothy 2:1–2).
•
Help students develop biblical attitudes toward marriage and the family, emphasizing the
need to establish God-honoring homes (Joshua 24:15; Psalm 127:1; Ephesians 5:31).
•
Help students desire to lead others to a saving knowledge of Christ and to disciple
believers by precept and example (Matthew 28:18–20; 1 Timothy 4:12).
•
Help students develop the desire both to lead and serve in their communities as
circumstances and God’s direction permit (Matthew 25:21).
ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT
•
Help students reach their full academic potential by providing a developmentally
appropriate instructional program with high academic standards.
•
Teach students to use good study habits to enhance their creative and critical thinking
skills (2 Timothy 2:15; Proverbs 4:5–12).
•
Teach students to interpret and apply all knowledge from a biblical perspective (Isaiah
8:20; 1 John 4:1).
•
Help students develop independent study habits and foster a lifelong love for learning
and personal excellence (Colossians 3:17; 23–24).
•
Prepare students for future educational or vocational experiences by developing in them
the abilities necessary for effective communication, thinking, and technological skills
(Proverbs 4:5–12).
11
•
Help students become aware of changing world events and interpret them from a biblical
worldview (Hebrews 13:8).
•
Instruct students to acquire knowledge about and develop an appreciation for their
Christian and American heritages (Psalm 33:12; 1 Timothy 2:1–3).
SPIRITUAL CORE VALUES
1.
Commitment to Christ — Everyone needs the saving grace of God purchased by
the shed blood of Jesus Christ and the guiding truths of His Word.
2.
Love for Others — Everyone is made in the image of God and, therefore, deserves
our love and respect.
3.
Excellence — As representatives of Christ, we must strive for personal,
academic, social, and spiritual excellence in all that we do.
4.
Worship — The family and the church are God’s primary educational institutions.
The school exists to support the family and to extend the church.
ACCREDITATION
LUOA is a K–12 online school, offering a traditional education through a technology-based format.
LUOA is accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and Cognia, which
is dedicated to advancing excellence in education worldwide. Cognia is the parent organization of
the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI),
Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC), and Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI). LUOA is recognized by the
Virginia Council for Private Education as an accredited K-12 private school in Virginia. These
affiliations and accreditations ensure that students will receive the highest quality education
available.
12
ENROLLMENT POLICIES AND
PROCEDURES
13
ADMISSION TO LUOA
As part of its mission to provide an excellent education, LUOA adheres to a set of standards and
policies that ensure a quality educational program, adherence to a Christian worldview, and
fairness and integrity in all of its operations. Upon acceptance, LUOA students agree to abide by
the standards and policies set forth by the Academy. Parents/guardians enroll their minor
students. The Academy regards the parents/guardians as having authority over their children
with the Academy providing the academic and spiritual support for their children’s development.
For affiliate students, the affiliate POC will fulfill the role of the parents/guardians during the
admission process.
Students applying to LUOA must be between 4 and 19 years old. Students must be 5 years of
age by the end of September of the desired school year. Students who are 19 years old and will
not be 20 years old on or before August 1 of the school year in which they are applying are only
eligible to enter LUOA if they have successfully completed 11th grade and are entering as a
senior. Students who will be 20 years old on or before August 1 of the school year in which they
are applying will not be permitted to enroll in Liberty University Online Academy. A birth
certificate is required for all 11th and 12th grade applicants.
Enrollment is available beginning every Monday of the year, providing flexibility that enables
LUOA to accommodate a variety of unique family life situations.
For each student, the enrollment process begins with the submission of a completed application.
The application fee is assessed and applied at the time of enrollment. A Student Checklist is
provided to display all necessary admission requirements needing to be completed prior to
acceptance.
Part-time students do not need to send in academic records for acceptance unless they are
taking dual enrollment courses. This is to verify the student's academic standing and GPA. All
full-time students are required to submit academic records for accurate placement and/or
transfer credits. Once all admission requirements have been satisfied, an admission decision
will be made.
Upon acceptance, the Admissions Team will review the student’s previous school records
and/or transferred credits to create a class schedule for each student. Enrollment is completed
when parents/guardians/affiliate POCs agree to the class schedules, select start dates, and
finalize Financial Check-In. With the completion of the enrollment process, students are
supported by a team of academic advisors throughout their courses.
TRANSFERRING CREDITS TO LUOA
LUOA may accept high school credits earned prior to student enrollment based on the
submission of official transcripts. Transfer guidelines utilize Virginia state standards to
14
determine eligibility and type of credit assigned to transfer courses. For transcripts to be
considered official, previous schools must mail, fax, or email transcripts containing a seal
and/or administrative signature verifying document authenticity to LUOA. Credits and grades
earned at previous schools will be listed on the LUOA transcript as “transfer.”
Students who have taken high school courses through homeschooling may need to show
documentation of work completed for transfer credit consideration and/or evaluation. If
homeschooled students took a high school course in seventh or eighth grade, they may need
to take an entrance assessment through LUOA before the transfer credits are awarded.
LUOA may accept college/dual enrollment credits earned prior to a student’s enrollment based
on the submission and evaluation of official transcripts (see above). If, after evaluation, the
college/dual enrollment courses are approved to transfer, credit will be awarded in the
following manner: College courses that are three (3) or four (4) credit hours will be awarded as
0.5 high school credits; college courses that are one (1) credit hour or two (2) credit hours will
be awarded as 0.25 high school credits. Full-time students pursuing a dual enrollment track
with LUOA are only eligible to transfer in up to two (2) high school credits worth of college
courses (for example, a student could transfer in four (4) individual three (3) college credit
courses at 0.5 high school credits each). Please see the Dual Enrollment section of the
handbook for additional details on dual enrollment.
INTERNATIONAL RECORDS
If your student is in grades 9-12, plans on attending LUOA for high school, and has completed
any secondary education or college-level academic coursework outside of the U.S., they must
have their international transcripts evaluated course-by-course by a credential evaluation
service provider that is a member of the National Association of Credential Services
(NACES).* If your student is in grade 8 and plans on transferring any courses for high school
credit, they must have these evaluated as well. LUOA recommends families work with
International Education Evaluations.
If your student attended an international school prior to applying to LUOA for kindergarten
through 9th grade, they must have their records translated to English by the previous school or
a translation provider that is a member of NACES. If your child is in 8th grade and plans on
transferring any courses for high school credit, they must have these evaluated as well. LUOA
recommends families work with International Education Evaluations.
These policies ensure that LUOA is awarding the appropriate credit or placing the student in
the best possible grade. To assist with this process, assessment tests may be required.
*High school transcripts from schools in Ontario are the only exception — they do not need a
NACES evaluation.
15
STUDENT ACADEMIC STATUS
ACADEMIC STATUS AS RECOGNIZED BY THE STATE
Online learning laws differ from state to state or even from local school district to local school
district. Parents/guardians/affiliate POCs are ultimately responsible for knowing what their state
and local school districts will require of them while their students are attending LUOA. Many states
view LUOA as a private school and only require a verification of enrollment letter, while other
states may require parents/guardians/affiliate POCs to submit additional documentation and testing
scores or have other requirements.
In addition, state and local school district homeschooling requirements may change during the
course of attendance at LUOA. Parents/guardians/affiliate POCs are urged to regularly visit their
state Department of Education webpage or otherwise contact their state’s Department of Education
and/or local school district to ensure they are meeting all their state or local homeschooling
requirements.
It is important to note that colleges, universities, and post-secondary education institutions have
unique requirements that can sometimes go beyond a high school’s accreditation. We advise that
students contact the institution they wish to attend to ensure they know about any additional
requirements ahead of time.
NEW YORK RESIDENTS
For families of full-time students in New York State, it is essential to be aware of and comply with
the specific requirements set forth by the state. Please be aware that correspondence study and
online diplomas are not valid for students who were New York State residents at the time they
received the online diploma. New York State school districts are prohibited from recognizing
correspondence or online programs of high school study as fulfilling the state's requirements for
completion of an approved high school course of study. Therefore, public and private New York
State universities will not accept an LUOA diploma as verification of a high school diploma. For
more information, please visit our New York State Homeschooling Requirements page.
LUOA FULL- AND PART-TIME STATUSES
A full-time kindergarten student is defined as one enrolled in three (3) courses per term. A full-
time first-grade student is defined as a student enrolled in four (4) courses per term. A full-time
second- through twelfth-grade student is defined as a student enrolled in five (5) or more LUOA
courses per term, including Bible courses. Students must take at least five and a half (5.5)
credits through LUOA (including dual enrollment credits) to graduate from LUOA.
Students in kindergarten taking fewer than three (3) courses and students in first grade taking
fewer than four (4) courses are part-time students. For second- through twelfth-grade
students, part-time student status includes all who register for one (1) to four (4) courses.
16
Part-time students may change status and enroll as full-time students by completing a new
application and completing any additional admission requirements as outlined on their Student
Checklist. Once this adjustment is made, they can enroll in additional courses that would give
them full-time status.
Full-time students may change status and enroll part time. To make the transition from full time
to part time, please contact our offices for assistance.
Verification of Enrollment
Students who need an official verification of enrollment are required to have enrolled in courses,
completed Financial Check-In, and begun courses. Verification of admission can be requested if
a student needs documentation that the student has applied and intends on enrolling.
ACADEMIC CALENDAR
Full-year courses are divided into thirty-six (36) weeks of work, and semester courses are
divided into eighteen (18) weeks of work. A full-time student attending the entire school year
should complete coursework in 41 weeks, including time for holiday breaks. Semester
courses are designed to be completed in 22 weeks.
Students may shorten their course time by increasing the hours they spend on their coursework.
However, to achieve the fullest learning potential from this academic experience, students are
cautioned not to rush through the curriculum.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
The LUOA school year consists of 41 weeks (180 days) of instructional work for academic credit
to be granted for full-year courses and 22 weeks (90 days) for semester courses. LUOA does
not require parents/guardians/affiliate POCs to notify anyone regarding missed days of school
since the pace is controlled by the parents/guardians/affiliate POCs, and students can make up
days according to their own schedules. If any student is struggling due to an illness or family
issue for more than 10 days, parents/guardians/affiliate POCs should notify teachers and
academic advisors so they can pray for the student and offer extra assistance as needed. LUOA
expects students to work in each course regularly. All students are expected to complete their
courses in 22/41 weeks. Students should be no more than 1 week behind in any enrolled
course. If students fall 2 weeks or more behind, then they risk cancellation of course enrollment.
17
NON-INSTITUTIONAL CREDIT POLICY
In order to meet the requirements of the LUOA Diploma Completion Plans (DCP), LUOA
requires full-time students to take LUOA core and elective courses. In order to be considered
full time with LUOA, students must take at least five (5) credits through the LUOA curriculum
(five and a half (5.5) credits if transferring to LUOA in 12th grade).
Students who would like to earn credit for a course taken outside of LUOA while enrolled full
time should follow the steps below.
•
No more than two (2) credit hours of non-institutional credit may be taken per year.
•
Submit the Non-Institutional Credit (NIC) form online. Include textbooks/curriculum, scope
and sequence, planned method of evaluation, instruction time, etc.
•
An LUOA administrator will approve or deny the courses.
•
If approved, the administrator may comment on expectations.
•
Upon completion of courses, students will update the NIC form, include documentation of
the work completed (such as examples of written activities, graded assessments, final
grades, etc.), and submit the form online.
•
The administrator will assess the completion of paperwork and award or deny credit.
•
If awarded, courses will be added to students’ transcripts and graduation plans as
transfer credits taken outside of LUOA.
Note: LUOA will include final course grades from outside accredited institutions in students’
GPA (Grade Point Average). LUOA will issue a final grade of "P" (pass) on transcripts for
homeschool courses; this grade will not affect GPA.
EXTENSION POLICY
Under certain circumstances, LUOA may grant students an extension to complete their
coursework. Students may also find that they need to withdraw from a course or the Academy
and need their LUOA transcripts.
It is the responsibility of parents/guardians/affiliate POCs and students to complete
courses by established deadlines. LUOA will assist by alerting parents/guardians/affiliate
POCs if it appears that students are in danger of not finishing on time. Courses that are
incomplete at the end of the assigned period will result in a course grade of FN, with no credit
earned or granted.
However, if additional time is needed to complete a course beyond the 22/41 allotted weeks,
parents/guardians/affiliate POCs should request a course extension at Liberty.edu/Online-
Academy/Current-Student-Resources/#Extension. (See details for extensions below.)
18
FULL-YEAR COURSES
While certain flexibilities are available, LUOA expects students in full-year courses to complete
their schoolwork within 41 weeks. For students requiring additional time to complete their
schoolwork, a 30-day extension can be requested by completing the Course Extension Request
Form. Extensions will be approved at the discretion of LUOA Academics based on the student’s
progress in the course at the time of the request. If the extension is approved, a fee of $50 per
course will be charged for the first extension, $100 for the second, and $150 for the third (if
extenuating circumstances exist). A new request form must be completed for each extension
beyond the first. LUOA may place student access to coursework on hold until the extension fee is
paid in full. Students not able to complete their coursework in the allotted timeframe will receive an
FN in each applicable course, and credit will not be granted. Parents/guardians/affiliate POCs
should request a course extension at Liberty.edu/Online-Academy/Current-Student-
Resources/#Extension.
Quarter, Enhanced, and dual enrollment courses do not qualify for extensions.
SEMESTER COURSES
LUOA expects students in semester courses to complete their schoolwork within 22 weeks. For
students requiring additional time to complete their schoolwork, a 30-day extension can be
requested by completing the Course Extension Request Form. Extensions will be approved at the
discretion of LUOA Academics based on the student’s progress in the course at the time of the
request. If the extension is approved, a fee of $50 per course will be charged for the first extension,
$100 for the second, and $150 for the third (if extenuating circumstances exist). A new request
form must be completed for each extension beyond the first. LUOA may place student access to
coursework on hold until the extension fee is paid in full. Students not able to complete their
coursework in the allotted timeframe will receive an FN in each applicable course, and credit will
not be granted. Parents/guardians/affiliate POCs should request a course extension at
Liberty.edu/Online-Academy/Current-Student-Resources/#Extension.
Quarter, Enhanced, and dual enrollment courses do not qualify for extensions.
COURSE WITHDRAWAL
Parents/guardians/affiliate POCs must request a course withdrawal from an academic advisor.
If a student has worked no further than Module 1 of any full-year or semester course and the
course withdrawal occurs within the first 30 days of enrollment, the student will be charged for 0
months, but the “W” (“withdrawn”) will show on the transcript.
If a student is no further than 16 weeks from the start date of a semester course, then the course
withdrawal will appear on the transcript as “W” but will not affect the GPA. If a student is further
than 17 weeks or more from the start date of a semester course, then a course withdrawal request
cannot be accepted. The course must be completed, or a final grade of FN (“failure for non-
completion”) will appear on the transcript.
19
If a student is no further than 32 weeks from the start date of a full-year course, then the course
withdrawal will appear on the transcript as “W” but will not affect the GPA. If a student is further
than 33 weeks or more from the start date of a full-year course, then a course withdrawal request
cannot be accepted. The course must be completed, or a final grade of FN will appear on the
transcript.
Once LUOA officially accepts course withdrawals, courses may not be reopened without approval
from LUOA administration.
CONDITIONAL ENROLLMENT
There are some circumstances under which student enrollment at LUOA may be jeopardized.
Conditional enrollment is when enrollment is contingent upon certain circumstances. LUOA will
place students under conditional enrollment when:
•
There is a history of not maintaining sufficient academic progress,
•
There is a history of technical difficulties,
•
There is a history of late or missed payments,
•
Students are on academic probation, and/or
•
LUOA determines there are other issues.
These students must meet certain conditions in order to remain enrolled. LUOA reserves the
right to cancel enrollment at any time due to non-payment of fees, unsatisfactory academic
progress, inadequate digital literacy that inhibits the use of the curriculum, program abuse or
plagiarism, and/or failure to follow LUOA procedures. Students who do not maintain
satisfactory progress per course for a period of thirty (30) days will be administratively
withdrawn from that course and receive a grade of FN (failure for non-completion). The
grade of FN will appear on transcripts and will negatively affect high school students’ GPA.
Tuition will not be prorated for courses that result in a grade of FN.
CANCELLATION OF ENROLLMENT
As long as students are enrolled at LUOA, they represent the Academy. If at any time LUOA
finds the testimony of a student detrimental to the Academy, he/she may forfeit the privilege of
being a student. Also, LUOA administration reserves the right to cancel student enrollment at
any time for reasons including, but not limited to, non-payment of fees, unsatisfactory progress,
failure to submit work on a regular basis, inadequate digital literacy that inhibits the use of the
curriculum, Honor Code violation(s), and academic dishonesty. Students who do not maintain
20
attendance by progressing in each course for a period of thirty (30) days or by remaining in
blocked status due to financial holds for a period of sixty (60) days will be administratively
withdrawn from the applicable course(s).
In such cases, parents/guardians/affiliate POCs of students are responsible for completing
prorated tuition payments based on the students’ time enrolled within their contracts, not on
the amount of schoolwork completed. However, if students finish before the 22- or 41-week
deadline, the full tuition for that course is still owed. Transcripts will be released only when all
obligations to LUOA have been satisfied.
Once students are dismissed, reinstatement is considered only upon written application to and
approval by the administration of LUOA. Reinstated students are automatically placed on
probation. The administration will consult with parents/guardians/affiliate POCs as to the nature
and length of the probation.
RELEASE OF OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS
After completion of courses, LUOA will issue a school transcript upon request. Financial
obligations to LUOA must be satisfied prior to the release of official or unofficial records and
graduation diplomas. Transcripts will be released only when all obligations to LUOA have been
satisfied and all official documentation is received from the previous school.
TRANSCRIPT CHANGES
Changes cannot be made to official transcripts unless there is documentation proving that the
administration made an error. Individuals expressing concern must speak with LUOA academic
advising or administration. LUOA administration will determine if a change is warranted. Any
time a proof of claim is verified, LUOA will modify the transcript and send official copies to
institutions that previously requested academic records.
21
ACADEMIC AND STUDENT
SUPPORT POLICIES AND
PROCEDURES
22
ACADEMIC STRUCTURE
LUOA is a grade K–12 school dedicated to high academic standards within the framework of a
technology-based educational program. The Academy believes in and is dedicated to preparing
young people to fulfill elementary and secondary academic objectives that will enable them to
pursue post-high school goals.
LUOA believes that a Christian education is of primary importance to all students. The Bible and
its teachings are deeply integrated into LUOA’s curriculum. It is the policy of LUOA to hold all
curriculum materials against the Bible, the infallible Word of God. Historical facts are reported as
such, and all opinions and interpretations must stand the scrutiny of Scripture.
LUOA realizes that there is no infallible material besides the Bible and that discretion is used
when selecting or forming instructional materials. It is not the practice of LUOA to support or
perpetuate any principles that stand in contradiction to the Bible. Therefore, information and
principles are taught in compliance with the Bible. Notions that conflict with Scripture are
challenged and designated as errors.
Course instruction is formatted on a browser-based Learning Management System (LMS) that is
delivered via the internet. Courses are primarily text-driven with various forms of interactive
components built into lessons, such as videos, animation, and interactive elements. Accordingly,
LUOA designs the lessons to actively engage students in the learning process and meet the
multiple learning styles of students. LUOA develops lessons with the intention of maximizing
student interest and maintaining student focus.
All full-time students must use LUOA curriculum. On rare occasions, high school students may
supplement their coursework with preapproved outside courses. (See Non-Institutional Credit
Policy on Page 15 for more information.)
Students completing their school year early may enroll immediately in the next year’s program.
Parents/guardians/affiliate POCs must meet financial obligations for the completed school year
prior to reenrolling their student(s) and/or LUOA’s release of official records.
PARENTAL AND AFFILIATE POC ROLE
A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be
like his teacher.
Luke 6:40
1
Parents/guardians/affiliate POCs are encouraged to take an active role in LUOA education.
Even though the coursework involves self-instruction, parents/guardians/affiliate POCs are
essential in actively assisting their students as “first responders” throughout each lesson. As
such, parents/guardians/affiliate POCs are responsible for ensuring the quality of independent
23
student learning and monitoring student quiz and test-taking to ensure student integrity.
Using a specially designed observer account within LMS, parents/guardians/affiliate POCs can
view all graded assignments and monitor academic progress. LUOA strongly recommends that
parents/guardians/affiliate POCs check the student observer accounts regularly in order to
monitor student progress.
FACULTY ROLE
LUOA teachers are degreed in their subject area(s), are licensed professionals, and/or hold a
master’s or terminal degree. They provide support to parents/guardians/affiliate POCs and
students through electronic correspondence. Teachers take responsibility for the day-to-day
academic well-being of each student. Teachers provide an assessment of student work. Grades
are always available to students and parents/guardians/affiliate POCs through the online grade
book. Communication between teachers and students is accomplished primarily on two levels:
correspondence in the LMS message center and comments made directly on the assignments.
Teachers can also be available after office hours per student request. Using the communication
options established within the LUOA structure, relationships among parents/guardians/affiliate
POCs, students, and teachers become similar to those that exist in a traditional classroom
setting.
ACADEMIC SUPPORT
Students in need of assistance beyond that which can be resolved through messaging their
teachers may call LUOA for assistance from subject matter experts at (866) 418-8741. These
services are available Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Eastern Time. Tutorial assistance is
limited to helping students understand the thrust of an assignment and understanding a lesson
concept. Students needing full-service tutorial help must plan to secure those services through
tutors in their locality at the expense of the parents/guardians/affiliate POCs.
1
Unless otherwise noted, the following version of the Bible is used for Scripture quotations in this handbook: The Holy
Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing
ministry of Good News Publishers.
24
SECTION 504 PLAN POLICY
LUOA offers students individualized learning opportunities. This means the academic goals for
all students are the same, but the unique structure of our curriculum allows each student to
progress at the individual’s own pace based on learning needs. This approach serves a variety
of students, including those with special needs. LUOA strives to support the educational needs
of each unique learner.
Section 504
Section 504 is a part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that prohibits discrimination based upon
disability. Section 504 is an anti-discrimination civil rights statute that requires meeting the needs
of disabled and non-disabled students equally.
Who is protected?
Any qualified individuals with physical and/or mental impairments that substantially limit one or
more major life activity, has a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having an
impairment.
What are examples of “major life activities”?
•
Self-care
•
Eating
•
Manual tasks
•
Sleeping
•
Walking
•
Standing
•
Seeing
•
Lifting
•
Hearing
•
Bending
•
Speaking
•
Reading
•
Breathing
•
Concentrating
•
Learning
•
Thinking
•
Working
•
Communicating
25
What does “substantially limits” mean?
Substantially limits may be interpreted to mean that the disability substantially limits the ability of
an individual to perform a major life activity as compared to most students.
What is “reasonable accommodation”?
Reasonable accommodation in the academic setting is a modification or adjustment of
educational programs to afford students with disabilities equal opportunity to access the
programs.
The Student Handbook lists educational goals for all LUOA students. It is important to balance
the needs of learners with reasonable accommodations afforded through a 504 accommodation
plan to provide the supports needed to “balance the playing field” for students with an
impairment that substantially limits major life activities. To start the process for accommodations
through a 504 Plan, parents/guardians/affiliate POCs should contact the Office of Academic
Support at LUOAAcademicSuppo[email protected].
504 Eligibility Determination
1.
The Academic Support team will review documentation and evaluate appropriate
accommodations.
2.
The Academic Support team will send the recommended 504 plan to the Office of Disability
Accommodation Support for final approval.
3.
For those with existing LUOA 504 accommodation plans, the LUOA Academic Support
Office will notify (in writing) all stakeholders to review 504 accommodation plan within 10
business days of contacting the parents/guardians/affiliate POCs. The LUOA Academic
Support Office will notify the teachers of the student’s 504 accommodation plan during the
first week of enrollment in the new academic school year. Teachers may request a meeting
with the Academic Support team to review and discuss the accommodation plan.
4.
By virtue of the nature of the academic model utilized by LUOA and because there are no
penalties for late work, students eligible for 504 accommodation plans can work at their
individual paces. This policy does not include students enrolled in Enhanced or dual
enrollment courses. Frequent and descriptive feedback from teachers is also built into
this educational model.
5.
Standard student conduct is described in the Student Expectations section. Unless
otherwise specified in an accommodation plan, LUOA requires these of all LUOA
students. Student work should always be original and presented in the student’s own
understanding or words, regardless of accommodations.
6.
Students with a 504 accommodation plan may be eligible for a variety of reasonable
accommodations on submissions or assessments. These can include, but are not limited to:
26
o Quiz, test, and/or exam questions read aloud;
o Quiz, test, and/or exam passages read aloud;
o Quiz, test, and/or exam directions explained/paraphrased;
o Repetition of quiz, test, or exam directions;
o Students pointing to answers and parents/guardians/affiliate POCs or proctors
selecting the given answers;
o Students typing responses into word processing documents and
parents/guardians/affiliate POCs or proctors copying/pasting the given responses
into text boxes for submission;
o Students speaking answers and parents/guardians/affiliate POCs or proctors
scribing or typing the given answers into text boxes; and
o A basic function calculator.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Technical support and communication are imperative to a successful experience in an online
learning environment. Below is information regarding whom to call for different types of issues,
as well as important contact information.
Contact a Teacher
Students can contact teachers through the messaging center in LMS with:
•
Questions about course content,
•
Questions about accessing course learning tools,
•
Questions about graded assignments,
•
A need to resubmit an assignment because of a technical error, or
•
A need to inform a teacher when no coursework will be completed for several days
(vacation, medical leave, etc.).
•
Final grades requests,
•
Questions about an end-of-course grade.
Contact an Advisor
Contact advisors by calling (866) 418-8741 with:
•
Registration questions,
•
Technology issues,
•
Transcript requests,
•
A need to inform an advisor when no coursework will be completed for several days
(vacation, medical leave, etc.)
27
Contact the LU HelpDesk
Contact technical support by calling (866) 418-8741 or by accessing the HelpDesk
page with:
•
Technology issues,
•
Questions about operating a computer or software, or
•
Questions about accessing course learning tools.
MINIMUM COMPUTER SYSTEM
REQUIREMENTS
For minimum computer system requirements, please view our webpage for the latest details.
HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS
Desktop/Laptop
Computers are preferably 5 years old or newer. The use of a desktop or laptop is required for
an optimal experience. At this time, we cannot guarantee an optimal user experience with a
Netbook, Chromebook, or mobile device, including tablets.
• Processor:
o Laptops:
▪ AMD: Ryzen 3000 series or newer
▪ Intel: 8th generation (8000 series) or newer
o Desktops:
▪ AMD: Ryzen 2000 series or newer
▪ Intel: 8th generation (8000 series) or newer
• Memory: 8GB of RAM or more
• Hard drive: 128GB or higher
• Graphics: DirectX, 64+ MB
• Screen: 1366×768 resolution or higher
• Internet: High-speed internet capable of streaming video; 5+ Mbps per concurrently used
device is recommended
28
Media and Printing
•
Printer: Required (especially in elementary grades).
•
Scanner: Required. High-resolution photos taken from phone or tablet cameras are
accepted as long as the content is clearly visible, discernible, and legible.
•
Webcam: Required for some courses. Can be included in phones or tablets.
•
Microphone: Required for some courses. Can be included in phones or tablets.
Operating Systems
• PC: Windows 8.1 or newer
• Mac: macOS 10.15 Catalina or newer
Programs
• JavaScript: JavaScript must be enabled
SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS
Web Browsers
Most of the curriculum can run on the latest version of any modern browser. LUOA curriculum is
compatible with the following browsers, though Chrome is the recommended browser.
•
Compatible: Google Chrome is recommended; Firefox is also sufficient.
Required Software
Access to all of the software that is needed to operate the curriculum is provided to the student as
part of being in our program.
The student needs only to have the latest version of a modern web browser (e.g., Google
Chrome, available for free) to access the online curriculum. Students may also need to
download Adobe Reader (free) to view PDF documents.
Note: LUOA makes Microsoft Office 365 available to all LUOA students free of charge!
29
ASSESSMENTS
LUOA philosophically approaches learning and assessment from a mastery concept for daily
work lessons. Mastery learning provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate this
concept through various forms of assessments. The underlying premise of this philosophy is
that all students can learn.
Because the curriculum is sequential, it is vital that students demonstrate mastery for present
success to provide the foundation for future learning. In order to reduce guessing and improve
student study habits, the number of attempts is limited by the LMS in most subjects to two
attempts on daily work lessons. After two attempts, the student will be awarded the higher of the
two grades. Students who have connectivity issues during quizzes or tests should first contact
their teachers and then contact their advisors.
ASSIGNMENTS
For consistency in writing across the curriculum, students must properly cite all research
projects using MLA citation style. Wikipedia is not considered to be a reliable source for
research. Any work that includes or cites Wikipedia may be returned to the student for
revision or may result in a significantly reduced grade.
Because technology can fail, students should save copies of projects to their personal
computer in the event they need to be resubmitted. Any courses requiring video
submissions are uploaded behind LU’s firewall for safety and security purposes.
LUOA teachers use rubrics to grade some assignments to help prepare students for what will be
evaluated prior to submission of the work, to standardize grading by different teachers, and to
categorize the feedback provided by teachers. Students should refer clarification questions to
their teachers.
TYPES OF ASSESSMENTS
To clearly identify which policies apply to which assessments, each assessment has been
categorized into one of four categories: Lesson, Assignment, Quiz, or Test. Each applicable item
on the course Modules page has been designated with an identifier chosen from among these
categories. For example, a quiz on the American Revolution may be designated by a title like
“1.2.W Quiz: The American Revolution.” These identifiers were placed on the Modules page to
help students understand which Resubmission Policy and/or which portion of the Honor Code
apply to that assessment (See the Resubmission Policy and the Consequences for Violations
of the Honor Code for further details).
•
Lesson — Any item on the Modules page designated as a “Lesson”
30
These include instructional content and sometimes an assessment of that
content. Typically, a lesson will be the day-to-day work that students complete.
•
Assignment — Any item on the Modules page designated as an “Assignment”
Examples of assignments include, but are not limited to, papers, book reports,
projects, labs, and speeches.
•
Quiz — Any item on the Modules page designated as a “Quiz”
Quizzes usually take the form of traditional assessments in which the students
answer questions to demonstrate knowledge of the subject. Quizzes cover a
smaller amount of material than tests do.
•
Test — Any item on the Modules page designated as a “Test”
This usually takes the form of a traditional assessment in which students answer
questions to demonstrate knowledge of a subject. Tests cover a larger amount of
material than quizzes do.
From here forward in this handbook, lessons, assignments, quizzes, and tests may be denoted
with capital letters to specify that these are the types of assessments to which the following
policies apply.
RESUBMISSION POLICY
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.
Colossians 3:23
LUOA expects students to submit their best work on the first submission of every lesson,
assignment, quiz, and test. However, resubmissions may be permitted in the circumstances
below.
• Elementary School:
o Lesson – Students are automatically permitted two attempts on a lesson. The
student may freely resubmit for their first two attempts without the need for teacher
approval.
o Assignment – Students are expected to do their best work the first time on all
assignments. However, any resubmissions must be completed before the student
moves more than one module ahead of that assignment. For example, a student
may resubmit an assignment from Module 3 while in Module 4, but not an
assignment from Modules 1 or 2.
o Quiz – Students may NOT resubmit for an increased grade.
31
o Test/Benchmark – Students may NOT resubmit for an increased grade.
• Middle School:
o Lesson – Students are automatically permitted two attempts on a lesson. The
student may freely resubmit for their first two attempts without the need for teacher
approval.
o Assignment – Students are expected to do their best work the first time on all
assignments. However, any resubmissions must be completed before the student
moves more than one module ahead of that assignment. For example, a student
may resubmit an assignment from Module 3 while in Module 4, but not an
assignment from Modules 1 or 2.
o Quiz – Students may NOT resubmit for an increased grade.
o Test/Exam – Students may NOT resubmit for an increased grade.
• High School:
o Lesson – Students are automatically permitted two attempts on a lesson. The
student may freely resubmit for their first two attempts without the need for teacher
approval.
o Assignment – Students are expected to do their best work the first time on all
assignments. However, any resubmissions must be completed before the student
moves more than one module ahead of that assignment. For example, a student
may resubmit an assignment from Module 3 while in Module 4, but not an
assignment from Modules 1 or 2. High school students may not resubmit an
assignment without expressed written permission from the LUOA teacher.
o Quiz – Students may NOT resubmit for an increased grade.
o Test/Exam – Students may NOT resubmit for an increased grade.
If students feel they deserve a resubmission on lessons, assignments, quizzes, or tests due to
technical issues, such as equipment malfunction, they should message their teachers to make
the request, and that request will need to be approved by the academic team.
32
ENHANCED COURSES
LUOA Enhanced courses provide additional student support through increased interaction and
communication with the course instructor. Enhanced courses are available for all high school
core courses. Interaction takes place through the following:
•
Weekly live teaching sessions,
•
Question & Answer conferences with teachers before each test, and
•
Discussion boards.
Enhanced courses are not available for extensions.
PARTICIPATION GRADE
Students are given a participation grade based on attendance during the live teacher sessions
and participation in discussion boards. For full-year courses, there are 20 live teacher sessions
and four (4) discussion boards. For semester courses, there are 10 live teacher sessions and
two (2) discussion boards. Participation grades are given at the end of each semester and
count as Tier 3 assignments.
Grade
Participation
A
Attended 8–10 live teacher sessions and participated in two discussion boards
B
Attended 6–7 live teacher sessions and participated in two discussion boards
C
Attended 5 live teacher sessions and participated in two discussion boards
D
Attended 3–4 live teacher sessions and participated in one discussion board
F
Attended 0–3 live teacher sessions and participated in zero discussion boards
SEMESTER AND FINAL EXAM PROCTORING
The proctoring (or monitoring of students during educational examinations) of the semester
and/or final exam by parents/guardians/affiliate POCs (or other approved adults) is required for
Enhanced courses. LUOA will provide a form in the course that proctors will sign and complete.
Students will then upload the form through an assignment before being able to begin exams.
LATE WORK
In order to take full advantage of our Enhanced courses, it is important that students stay on
track with their scheduled assignments so that they benefit from the discussions with their
teacher and classmates. Meeting deadlines is a skill that will aid students in their high school
classes and beyond. Enhanced courses help LUOA students develop this skill by requiring
assignments to be turned in by the due date in order to receive full credit. For each day the
33
assignment is not submitted, 5 percent will be deducted from the assignment grade with a
maximum deduction of 20 percent.*
*Exceptions to this late policy may be considered in cases of illness, travel, or unforeseen events.
Students will need to contact their teacher to seek approval for any exception. Travel exception
does not include travel for sporting activities. These activities need to be planned before students
leave for planned travel.
FINAL WORK SUBMISSIONS
Submitting the final assignment on the Modules page signals that the student has completed the
course. Students must submit all assignments and their final test before they can take the course
completion. Once the Course Completion assignment has been submitted, the course is
closed. Students and parents/guardians/affiliate POCs should be sure that they are ready to
“close” that course prior to students submitting the Course Completion assignment.
DETERMINING COURSE GRADES
Students read, watch, and listen to material in each lesson and complete problems,
assignments, quizzes, and tests on computers. With the instant grading feature, students and
parents/guardians/affiliate POCs have immediate feedback regarding progress. LUOA teachers
grade written work such as paragraph answers, essays, and projects. Grades or comments
made by teachers are transferred back to students.
The number of assessments for each module varies. Teachers have the prerogative to award
credit for assessments as they deem appropriate for the work submitted. Extra credit
assignments are not available.
LUOA requires teachers to grade assignments within 48 hours, with the exception of projects or
papers, which will be graded within four (4) days.
Student grades will be determined according to the grading scale and assignment weights in the
table below. LUOA determines final letter grades using a 10-point scale. Each assignment exists
in an assignment group called a tier. Grades for the course are determined by averaging
percentages of all assignments in each tier, weighing the tiers according to the assignment
weights, and summing the scores for the total course grade. Each tier is weighted according to
the table below. Items that do not affect grades are found in Tier 0.
34
Grading Scale
Assignment Weights
A 90–100%
B 80–89%
C 70–79%
D 60–69%
F 0–59%
Tier 0 0%
Tier 1 25%
Tier 2 35%
Tier 3 40%
In order for students to receive credit for a course, the following conditions have to be met:
1.
All semester exams and module tests have to be completed,
2.
All Tier 3 projects or papers have to be completed, and
3.
Fewer than 5 zeros per semester exist in the gradebook for blank submissions.
If students and/or parents/guardians/affiliate POCs question end-of-course grades, they
should present concerns immediately to the teacher for clarification/correction.
AWARDING SEMESTER CREDIT FROM FULL-YEAR COURSES
Students registered for full-year courses occasionally do not finish due to a variety of reasons,
such as administrative withdrawal or requested withdrawal. Students who complete the first
semester and earn a passing grade will be awarded the grade earned based on the average
grades earned in Weeks 1–18. The student will still receive a grade of “FN” for the second
semester.
COURSE CREDIT
High school students earn one-half (1/2) credit for each semester of successfully completed
coursework. LUOA will accept credits earned prior to LUOA enrollment based on official
transcripts and diagnostic test results. Credits earned in other schools will be recorded on LUOA
transcripts as 1.0 credit for each standard high school course involving 150 to 180 clock hours of
instruction.
Students who have taken high school courses through homeschooling must show
documentation of work completed and demonstrate mastery on diagnostic tests in order to
receive transfer credits.
Throughout the LUOA high school experience, additional credits may be earned for courses
taken outside of LUOA, but it is standard practice for students to take courses offered at LUOA,
especially core courses. LUOA will evaluate courses taken outside of the Academy for
appropriate high school credit based on rigor, course content, and whether they are offered at
LUOA (see Non-Institutional Credit Policy).
Students may earn both high school and college credit for enrollment in a single course. One
35
three-hour college course will be awarded one-half (1/2) high school credit.
AUDIT AND REPEAT COURSES
Students are permitted to repeat courses in which they have earned full or partial credit,
regardless of whether they have earned a passing grade in that course. This policy applies to
both new students who completed a course (in full or in part) at a previous school and current
LUOA students who wish to repeat either an LUOA course or a course they completed at a
previous school. High school students will only be permitted to have one of the attempts
applied to their DCP (the other will count as unused credit), and all attempts of the course will
count toward the student's overall GPA. Audits will only be used for students who wish to
take/retake a course for no credit/grade, and an audited course will not count toward the
student's GPA.
PREREQUISITES
Several courses contain prerequisites, meaning that the successful completion of a certain
course or courses is required before entrance into specific courses. If a student has not met the
required prerequisite(s) or fails a prerequisite course, then the student may be required to take
or retake the missing or failed prerequisite course(s) before being able to take those specific
courses.
MATERIALS SELECTION POLICY
LUOA curates educational materials that are consistent with the school’s philosophy; however,
the fallen human condition depicted in literature (as in Scripture itself) is not always pleasant.
Valuable works sometimes have objectionable or profane elements. Good books provide four
(4)
recognized values.
•
They build godly attitudes and character traits,
•
They deepen our social and cultural awareness,
•
They strengthen our use of written language, and
•
They provide a lifelong source of enjoyment and relaxation.
In order to instill these values in students and fulfill the stated objectives of the school, all LUOA
students are expected to read and study good books on a regular basis. Recognizing that
materials designed for one level may not be appropriate for another, three (3) levels of criteria
are applied:
•
Elementary materials must contain no objectionable material,
36
•
Objectionable elements in sixth- through eighth-grade materials must be limited and must
serve a specific educational purpose, and
•
Objectionable content may be included in high school materials but must be outweighed
by positive literary, curricular, and/or Christian value.
The Literature Review Committee has approved required educational materials for students.
LIBRARY
To enhance learning, the LUOA library offers students a thorough set of online resources
through multiple databases. See the LUOA Library website for updates.
EBSCO K-12
•
5,000 academic journals
•
100 popular children’s magazines
•
K–12 encyclopedias and other reference works
•
1.7 million images of relevant photos, maps, and flags
•
11,000 electronic books
Periodicals Archive Online
•
A major collection of older scholarly magazines in subject areas such as the arts,
humanities, and social sciences
•
More than two centuries of content
•
37 key subject areas
•
Multiple languages
Digital National Security Archive
•
Declassified government documents from 1945 to present
•
Many topics covered, such as U.S. policy toward critical world events
•
Military, intelligence, diplomatic, and human rights dimensions
Music Periodical Database
•
Information about several hundred international music publications
•
Variety of music from 20 countries
•
140+ music journals
37
NATIONAL BETA CLUB
The National Beta Club is the largest independent, nonprofit, educational youth organization in
America. For more than 80 years, it has prepared students to be leaders in their communities.
The mission of the National Beta Club is to promote the ideals of academic achievement,
character, service, and leadership among middle and high school students.
Students who exhibit exemplary academic achievement and community involvement are invited
to participate in this nationally recognized, merit-based organization. LUOA believes National
Beta Club allows students to highlight their unique abilities, talents, and leadership skills in a
way that honors Christ and provides an excellent testimony to their communities.
LUOA Requirements for Membership
•
Full-time student with LUOA
•
GPA of 3.5 or above for initial membership and 3.0 or above to maintain membership
•
15 service hours per calendar year
•
$50 membership fee per year
LUOA STUDENT CLUBS
Our student clubs are a great way for students to connect with their peers at LUOA! By joining a
club, students will have the opportunity to build meaningful community, grow in their knowledge,
and explore a fun and exciting area of interest. Please note that student clubs are only available to
full-time traditional students. Part-time students and affiliate students are not eligible to participate
in student clubs. Click here for a list of student clubs and fees.
38
STUDENT EXPECTATIONS
39
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your
good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16
A school environment based on integrity provides a setting of peace and trust. It is the
responsibility of parents/guardians/affiliate POCs, students, and school personnel to work
together to develop an educational community based on honesty in words and actions.
The Bible says, “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked
will be found out” (Proverbs 10:9). In order to issue a transcript and/or a diploma upon
completion of the program, LUOA must have a reasonable degree of assurance that the earned
grades and work completed are accurate reflections of student ability and mastery of the
material. Therefore, LUOA views dishonesty related to coursework seriously and deals with it
appropriately.
It is important that parents/guardians/affiliate POCs take ownership of their responsibility in the
LUOA program and ensure there is sufficient supervision as students complete coursework and
take quizzes and tests.
Program abuse primarily occurs when students become disrespectful to teachers or when they
pursue alternative ways of completing coursework outside the conventional use of the
curriculum per this handbook and LUOA communications.
A conventional approach means that students read the lessons, answer lesson questions, study
for quizzes and tests without previewing the assessments first, and then complete quizzes and
tests independent of “outside” resources of any form (i.e., notes, internet searches, etc.). In
other words, during quiz and test assessments, students are to rely solely on their mental
preparations for that assessment.
HONOR CODE
So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
James 4:17
By enrolling in LUOA, the student agrees to the following statement:
As a student of LUOA, I understand that it is my responsibility to uphold God’s biblical
mandate so that my life testimony demonstrates actions of integrity. In so doing, I will
complete all assignments as instructed without resorting to cheating or plagiarism. I
understand that it is my responsibility to turn in my assignments in a timely manner,
40
complete my own work, not share my work with others, and treat all students, teachers,
and staff with respect.
CHEATING
Cheating is giving aid to a student or receiving any form of aid, regardless of the source, without
the consent of the teacher or the curriculum. Assistance in daily lesson work is not considered
cheating if the student actually does the work. However, multiple occurrences of cheating on
daily work or exceptional cases may result in an Honor Code violation. The line between lesson
“assistance” and cheating is drawn at the point of someone or something other than a student
providing actual answers to questions. Students must complete quizzes and tests without
the aid of any notes or other forms of written information and without information
provided by human sources. Students may receive help to clarify word meaning if they do not
understand questions, but prompts that would guide students to the correct answers are
inappropriate. Parents/guardians/affiliate POCs are responsible for monitoring coursework to
assist teachers in verifying student submission integrity. When determinations of cheating on
quizzes or tests have been made, those students will either receive a grade of zero (0%) or will
have points deducted.
Examples of cheating include, but are not limited to:
•
Copying text from lessons onto quizzes or tests,
•
Copying text from outside sources,
•
Using answers from other students, and
•
Viewing outside websites or LUOA lessons or assignments in advance.
PLAGIARISM & SELF-PLAGIARISM
Whether intentional or not, plagiarism is submitting work that is not one’s own thoughts and
opinions, has originated from another source, and is not properly documented. Self-plagiarism
occurs when students submit work completed in other courses or contexts as if an original work
for current assignments.
Examples of plagiarism include, but are not limited to, the following:
•
Copying from the internet or books,
•
Someone other than students writing papers for the students,
•
Sharing answers,
•
Rearranging someone else’s words to use as one’s own,
•
Downloading internet papers,
41
•
Copying another student’s work in part or in whole, and
•
Utilizing work from a previous context and submitting it as new.
LUOA, in partnership with parents/guardians/affiliate POCs, is committed to ensuring that
students are properly equipped to follow accepted guidelines of research, to properly cite
sources used, and to receive appropriate feedback and consequences when they fail to do so.
•
In elementary grades 3-5, teachers stress that students know how to properly quote
sources. Using information word for word is accepted so long as students use quotation
marks and provide the source.
•
Teachers in grades 6-8 focus research instruction on summarization principles. In
addition to quotes, students are to put information in their own words. Students still
provide sources with summarization.
•
High school students are required to fully utilize MLA formatting and citation style.
At the beginning of each school year, students in grades 6-12 are presented with a Back-to-
School Knowledge Check orientation. Included in this orientation is instruction for properly
citing reference sources and practical measures to avoid plagiarism as well as a wealth of
additional information to help students succeed.
Any project that requires research and source citation must have a Works Cited page in order
for teachers to give credit. These reports also require the use of in-text citation called
“parenthetical documentation” according to the MLA citation style.
To ensure academic integrity, teachers use Turnitin, a national plagiarism detection database.
Teachers electronically submit assignments, essays, and projects to the database and receive
reports detailing the level of plagiarism (if any) included in the materials and the possible
sources from which the materials were copied. If the reports identify plagiarism, teachers will
return the plagiarized reports to the students. LUOA will notify parents/guardians/affiliate POCs
of the matter and instruct them on how to help their students succeed in written assignments.
Offending students will be scheduled for a required plagiarism workshop (see Consequences
for Violating the Honor Code).
Once LUOA has withdrawn students for violating the Honor Code, the Academy will only
consider reinstatement upon written application by offending students and subsequent approval
by the administration. LUOA automatically places reinstated students on probation. The
administration will consult with the parents/guardians/affiliate POCs and school coordinators as
to the nature and length of the probation. At the administrator’s discretion, LUOA may impose
certain conditions, such as requiring proctors for tests and exams.
42
CONSEQUENCES FOR VIOLATING THE HONOR
CODE
If an Honor Code violation occurs, the offending student’s teacher will communicate to the
student via a comment on the assignment and will then submit the violation to the Student
Support office. Next, the Student Support Coordinator will review the violation(s) and determine
the consequence for the violation(s). Next, an email will be sent to the
parents/guardians/affiliate POCs, who may then submit an appeal to the Student Support office.
To submit an appeal, new evidence must be provided by the parents/guardians/affiliate POCs
or the Academy.
•
Warning — This ONLY applies to elementary/middle school assignments and
lessons and high school lessons. Students should accept these warnings as learning
opportunities.
▪
Elementary/Middle School Assignment — Work must be redone;
however, resubmission does not guarantee an increase in grade.
▪
Lesson — The original grade will be reduced.
•
First Offense
▪
Assignment — The student will:
ͦ Receive a reduced grade or a zero (0%) per teacher discretion,
ͦ Be required to complete the Plagiarism Workshop, and
ͦ Be permitted to retry the assignment for a higher grade on the next
attempt at the teacher’s discretion.
▪
Lesson, Quiz, or Test/Exam/Benchmark — The student will receive a zero (0%).
•
Second Offense — The student will receive a zero (0%) and be placed on
academic probation.
•
Third Offense — The student will receive a zero (0%) and the Student Support
Coordinator, along with LUOA administration, will determine the consequences that
should follow, possibly including academic withdrawal from the course or expulsion from
the Academy.
43
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
In the event that a dispute arises between student and teacher (e.g., grading, feedback,
messaging), students should follow the biblical mandate from Matthew 18:15–17 and first
contact the teacher in a respectful manner. If the student and teacher cannot successfully
resolve the issue, the student should then contact an academic advisor who will then reach out
to the Director of Faculty. The Director of Faculty will contact the teacher and student to resolve
the issue.
RESPECT
Students’ actions and speech quickly convey to others the factors that motivate them in
relationships. Students must be courteous to those with whom they associate by striving to live
in harmony. Courtesy includes showing respect to all administration, faculty, and staff. Words
are a powerful tool and must be used wisely.
Students are to communicate with teachers in a formal manner. LUOA expects students to use
proper language such as “please” and “thank you” in messages. In written communication,
teachers and advisors cannot hear tones or see facial expressions when reading messages, so
sometimes students’ words may be taken in a way never intended. If and when differences of
opinion between students and teachers occur, great care must be taken to address concerns in
a respectful manner. Students showing disrespect to a teacher, using inappropriate language,
or displaying other misbehavior may be reported to the Student Support Office for academic
misconduct. Also, student profile pictures need to align with the mission and vision of LUOA.
Accepted Forms of Communication
•
Canvas Messaging System
•
Liberty University email
•
Phone (LUOA offices)
TEN KEYS TO UNLOCKING LUOA
EDUCATIONAL SUCCESS
Online learning is unique in that students must take a more active role in learning and accessing
information than traditional students in conventional classrooms. Instead of teacher-directed
instruction, online course material is presented in text, video, and animation formats.
Written messages between students and teachers replace direct communication associated
with traditional classroom instruction. Rather than simply sitting through a class and jotting
44
notes, online students must take the initiative to self-teach, using their teachers as resources
rather than the primary presenters.
Online students will find that self-paced instruction has many advantages. The responsibility
gained by being actively engaged in their personal learning experience will result in improved
grades and depth-of-learning. LUOA’s goal for students is for them to become independent
learners through this experience. Consequently, students should be able to skillfully use
personal learning styles to acquire knowledge, gain understanding, and wisely apply learning to
life decision-making situations. To help transition to online learning, LUOA offers the following
10 keys to unlocking LUOA educational success.
1.
Working Through the Student Orientation Course and Read the Student Handbook
•
Working through the Student Orientation Course is required of all new students.
The course provides practical advice to enable students to quickly acclimate to
online learning using LUOA’s Learning Management System (LMS).
•
The Student Handbook provides valuable information regarding policies and
procedures, all of which are designed to enable LUOA students to have a
successful school experience. Be sure to read the handbook thoroughly.
Students with questions about policies or procedures should contact their
academic advisor.
2.
Read and Secure Items on the Course Supply List
•
The supply list for each LUOA course can be found under Course Materials in the
course syllabus. Some syllabi contain an additional Materials List page toward
the end of the document. Parents/guardians/affiliate POCs and students should
print the applicable lists prior to the start of each course. Securing project items in
advance will ensure timeliness in completing course projects.
3.
Understand the Lesson Design
•
Each new lesson in a module builds on previous learning objectives. Students’
understanding of the materials covered in each lesson will directly relate to how
they have mastered concepts in previous lessons.
•
Lessons contain a variety of content, and the length is designed to help students
focus on important information. It is important not to rush through assignments
for the sake of completion. Mastery of the content is the goal. Quizzes and tests
are designed to assess student mastery.
4.
Submit Assignments on Time
•
LMS maintains an individualized assignment calendar for each student. As a
general rule, students should pace themselves with the weeks designated on the
Modules Page.
45
•
With online courses, students can never say, “I know I turned it in, but you must
have lost my paper.” All assignments are submitted through the LMS and stored
indefinitely. LUOA recommends that students save a copy of all written projects
in case there is an unforeseen technical issue with a submission.
•
Students should click Submit when finished with assignments. Without this final
command, teachers will not receive work, and students will not get credit for
completing assignments.
5.
Be an Active Learner
•
In online education, students are responsible for what they learn in courses.
Rushing through assignments will not lead to information retention. Students
should set aside time to take notes, to memorize important terms and definitions,
and to understand lesson facts and concepts.
•
Students need to answer all assigned questions fully; however, active learners go
beyond the minimum requirements. Doing just enough to progress is not
satisfactory. Students will have to use what they learn today as the foundation for
what they will learn tomorrow.
•
Students need to view all teacher feedback and videos via the submission
comments.
6.
Get Acquainted with Teachers
•
One of the secrets to successfully adjusting to online education is engagement
with teachers. Discussing questions and ideas with their teachers is one way for
students to actively invest in their education. Through this conversation, teachers
can provide instruction that is meaningful to student needs. The following are
examples of requests that are too general: “I don’t understand.” or “Please help.”
These would be better stated specifically as something similar to “I understand
that I need to write a paper on George Washington, but the directions do not tell
me how long the paper should be and how many sources I am required to use,”
for example. Good dialogue involves clarity in expressing ideas and seeking
information.
7.
Build for Success Through Organization
•
Daily organizational structure and strong study skills are fundamental elements of
online learning success. Many students find that keeping a physical binder to take
notes while studying lessons is an excellent way to increase learning. The notes
provide a convenient means of review before taking quizzes and tests. Having a
binder with class notes allows students to review when they are away from the
computer or have lost access due to technical failure. Divide the subject binder by
course, module, and lesson titles. Keeping notes may appear to be too time-
consuming, but there are no shortcuts to learning.
46
•
Academic success requires organization and perseverance.
8.
Avoid Procrastination
•
Keeping up with schoolwork is every student’s responsibility. Students should
establish a daily study routine. Teachers can usually tell when students have
rushed through assignments, so students should take their time to learn as much
as possible.
•
Steps to Writing a Research Paper:
▪
Research the topic for a few days.
▪
Create an outline and write the paper’s rough draft.
▪
Revise the rough draft.
▪
Apply online spelling and grammar checks.
▪
Avoid plagiarism by properly citing outside resources quoted and
providing a list of references at the end of the paper.
▪
When satisfied that the work is complete, keep a copy on a computer and
submit it by following the directions provided with the assignment.
•
Working diligently on projects provides an opportunity for lesson enrichment
through research and/or discussion, which enables students to make practical life
application of lesson concepts. To assist students in maintaining timeliness with
work completion, the LMS restricts access to the next lesson of study until all
preceding assignments are complete.
9.
Look for Life Application in the Lesson Discussion
•
Education should make a difference in students’ lives. Discovering ways to apply
lesson information to life or future education makes learning fun. Realizing the
significance of a topic or concept will help students remember the information
better.
•
Teachers want to understand that their students have more than book learning.
They want to know that students can apply information to more than just a test
question. Can newly acquired knowledge help students succeed in actual life
experiences? Due to the nature of online education, students are not pressured
for immediate answers to questions involving critical thinking, but these should
naturally develop as they progress through the curriculum. Taking time to
formulate a knowledgeable response before answering questions is best.
47
10.
Set Goals
•
The goal should be to complete all tasks required on the day they are assigned.
Anyone getting behind should use the next few days, the weekend, or scheduled
holidays to get back on track. Unless students take ownership of academic goals,
procrastination will replace production and make the school year a lot harder than
it needs to be.
48
HIGH SCHOOL POLICIES AND
PROCEDURES
49
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Full-time students in grades 9 through 12 must be enrolled in a minimum of five (5) classes. It is
important to note that taking the minimum number of classes will require more than four (4)
years to graduate.
Students transferring to LUOA for their senior year must take five and a half (5.5) LUOA credits
(including dual enrollment courses) to establish full-time status. LUOA will not issue a diploma to
part-time students who have not established full-time status for their final year of high school at
LUOA. Reenrolling students entering the twelfth grade who have already reached full-time
status will be assigned courses based on LUOA DCP (Diploma Completion Plan) requirements.
Students who establish full-time status prior to their senior year must successfully complete at
least five (5) LUOA credit hours each year thereafter. Students may meet the credit hour
requirement using LUOA courses, LUO dual credit courses, or combinations thereof.
Students who break enrollment with LUOA for a minimum of one academic year must
reestablish full-time LUOA status for at least one year prior to graduation.
All students graduating from LUOA, regardless of program or Commencement participation, must
complete a Degree Completion Application. (See the Graduation page on the LUOA website for
more details.) Please note: Submission of a Degree Completion Application does not automatically
RSVP you for Commencement. Please see the Graduation page on the LUOA website for
additional RSVP information.
CLASS PLACEMENT
For high school class placement, students must complete grades as indicated below.
•
9
th
Grade — successfully completed the eighth grade
•
10
th
Grade — accumulated a minimum of six credits
•
11
th
Grade — accumulated a minimum of thirteen credits
•
12
th
Grade — accumulated a minimum of nineteen credits and tentatively plan
to graduate in the immediate year
CLASS RANK & GPA
Because LUOA students attend school year-round without a mandatory school year start or end
date, computing class rank is not possible. Student grade point averages are calculated on a
50
quality point system. For transfer students at an accredited high school, LUOA will honor
conventional school course statuses such as honors or Advanced Placement (AP). LUOA will
weigh such transfer courses on the LUOA conversion system. For transfer students coming from
homeschool, honors courses will be accepted as unweighted standard courses. Homeschool AP
courses will be weighted upon submission of AP national test scores.
Standard Courses
Honors Courses
College or AP
Courses
A = 4.0
B = 3.0
C = 2.0
D = 1.0
F = 0.0
A = 4.5
B = 3.5
C = 2.5
D = 1.5
F = 0.0
A = 5.0
B = 4.0
C = 3.0
D = 2.0
F = 0.0
ELECTIVE COURSES
At the high school level, a certain number of electives are necessary to meet graduation
requirements. Students may meet credit requirements for high school graduation by taking
courses provided by LUOA.
DUAL ENROLLMENT PROGRAM
High school juniors and seniors may get a head start on their post-secondary education by
enrolling in online college courses offered via Liberty University Online Programs. Through this
dual enrollment partnership program, academically advanced students may earn college credits
in a variety of subjects.
The tuition for three-credit courses is the same as for LUOA courses and thus provides
significant savings over the regular university tuition rate.
Because Liberty University is accredited, courses are transferable to other institutions if
students choose to pursue their post-secondary education elsewhere.
Students desiring to take dual credit courses are expected to maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher,
have completed at least 12 high school credits, and be over the age of thirteen. Failure to
maintain a GPA of 3.0 will result in removal from the LUOA dual enrollment program.
Students who fail a dual enrollment course may repeat the course one time. These students
must pay tuition for repeated courses. If these students plan to graduate from LUOA, the original
and second attempt grades are listed on the LUOA high school transcripts and factored into the
overall LUOA GPA. Students who receive a failing grade or are administratively withdrawn from
any two dual enrollment courses at any time are no longer eligible for the dual enrollment
51
program. The student may continue to enroll in LUOA high school courses.
Some dual enrollment courses may require additional course fees or other charges related to
the content of the course.
Dual enrollment courses are subject to Liberty University policies, with a format, start dates, and
end dates in accordance with the Liberty University Online Academic Calendar. The majority of
dual enrollment courses are offered in sub-terms that run 8 weeks; however, there are some
courses that are offered in a semester-long sub-term (A-term) that can range from 14-17 weeks.
All dual enrollment courses have specific due dates for assignments, and students will need to
submit coursework regularly. If coursework is not submitted for 21 consecutive days, the student
will fail for nonattendance. Additionally, since assignments in dual enrollment courses have set
due dates, failure to turn in assignments on time can result in point deductions. Please see the
course syllabus for full details on the Late Assignment Policy.
If students withdraw from a dual enrollment course, the tuition is prorated based on university
policies. The student will receive a 100% refund if he or she withdraws within the first week of
class and before submission of the first assignment (1st assignment includes the Course
Requirements Checklist). Withdrawing within the first quarter results in owing 25% of tuition,
within first half results in 50% tuition, and within three quarters results in owing 75% of tuition.
A complete list of courses offered for dual credit is provided on the LUOA’s dual
enrollment page.
FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY
ACT (FERPA) POLICY
LUOA is a K-12 educational institution that allows eligible high school students to enroll in Liberty
University Online Programs courses through the dual enrollment program. Liberty University
shares all educational records related to dual enrollment courses with LUOA. Those education
records can be accessed by contacting LUOA at (866) 418-8741, live chat, or
LUOACurrentStudents@liberty.edu. If an LUOA student is enrolled in a dual enrollment program or
is otherwise enrolled in a postsecondary course, the parent, legal guardian, or affiliate POC must
maintain a PIN that will allow the parent, legal guardian, or affiliate POC the ability to inspect and
review any postsecondary records shared by Liberty University with LUOA as part of their student’s
LUOA enrollment. Once an LUOA student turns 18 or matriculates into Liberty University as a
Liberty University student, inspect and review permissions transfer to that student. Students may
then remove the PIN from their account. If the student wishes to allow their
parents/guardians/affiliate POCs continued access to their education records, no action is needed.
Learn more on our website.
NCAA APPROVED COURSES
If your student wishes to compete in an NCAA sport in college, all LUOA Enhanced courses
and dual enrollment courses have been approved by the NCAA for Division I athletic program
participation. See the NCAA page on our website for more information.
52
VIRGINIA DIPLOMA
LUOA awards a diploma sanctioned through the Commonwealth of Virginia via the Virginia
Independent School Association.
DIPLOMA COMPLETION PLANS
A Diploma Completion Plan (DCP) is a visual path for student education. LUOA offers three DCP
tracks that students may take, depending on which diploma they choose to pursue. Note: Degree
specifications change based on Liberty University registrar requirements. (See High School
Graduation Requirements for more details.)
1. The Standard Diploma – This enables prospective students to attend most institutions
of post-secondary education. Students will graduate with a high school diploma from
Liberty University Online Academy.
Standard Diploma Completion Plan
2. The Advanced Diploma – This path is rigorous and enables students to be more
selective when choosing their post-secondary education. Students will graduate with a
high school diploma from Liberty University Online Academy.
Advanced Diploma Completion Plan
3. The Associate Degree – Upon completion of high school requirements for the standard
diploma through LUOA, students in this track also will be awarded an associate degree
through Liberty University.
Associate Degree
GRADUATION CEREMONY
LUOA hosts a formal cap and gown commencement ceremony as a part of Liberty University’s
on-campus Commencement festivities each May. Graduating seniors of LUOA are invited but
are not required to attend this special event. LUOA students who attend can participate in the
LUOA graduation ceremony and Liberty University’s Main Commencement Ceremony like all
other Liberty University students, which includes the keynote speaker session. Graduation is
“second to none,” and LUOA strongly suggests that students attend graduation to celebrate
their hard work.
Because LUOA has an open enrollment policy, students finish their coursework at varying dates
other than that of the formal graduation ceremony. Each official transcript shows the actual date
53
coursework was completed, not the date of graduation.
Any student enrolling as an incoming senior after February 1 will be listed as a graduating
senior for the class of the next academic year. (For example, a student enrolling as a beginning
senior in February 2024 will be listed in the graduating class of 2025.) The formal graduation
date recorded on diplomas is the date processed upon completing coursework.
All LUOA students, even if they are dual enrolled or on an A.A. track, will participate only in
LUOA’s specific ceremony and not the Liberty University department of that track.
GRADUATION FEE
LUOA assesses a one-time, non-refundable Degree Completion Application Fee of $75* to
graduating seniors, regardless of attendance or non-attendance at the on-campus graduation
ceremony. This fee covers items such as the diploma, diploma covers, shipping costs, etc. It can
take up to 2 weeks for the Degree Completion Application Fee to be added to the student account
after the Degree Completion Application is submitted by the student. Cap, gown, and graduation
announcements are available to be purchased separately.
*Please note: Students in an associate degree track must pay a Degree Completion Application
Fee totaling $175. This includes $75 for the high school diploma and $100 for the associate
degree diploma. Students earning a certificate must pay a Degree Completion Application Fee
totaling $125. This includes $75 for the high school diploma and $50 for the certificate.
54
LEGAL POLICIES
55
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY
To view Liberty University’s Non-Discrimination Policy, visit this website. For any questions
specific to LUOA, please contact our Student Support office at
LUOAStudentSuppo[email protected].
CYBERBULLYING POLICY
Cyberbullying is defined as defamatory behavior through the use of electronic technologies such
as school discussion forums, email communications, social media, personal websites, or cell
phone communications with the intention of causing harm to others to the extent that the
educational atmosphere has become one of abuse.
Cyberbullying consists of dangerous or abusive behavior that directly alters the condition of any
student’s education, thus requiring administrative action in order to protect students, staff,
faculty, and/or administration.
Upon Receiving a Report of Cyberbullying, LUOA Will Take the Following Measures:
1.
Report — Any student who believes he/she has been the victim of bullying has a
responsibility to report the alleged bullying to his/her teacher or academic advisor as
soon as possible. Furthermore, any student, parent, guardian, affiliate POC, or teacher
who has knowledge of conduct which may constitute cyberbullying has a responsibility
to report such conduct to a teacher, an academic advisor, or an administrator.
2.
Investigate — In response to receiving notification of alleged cyberbullying, the LUOA
administration will conduct an investigation in order to determine if a violation of the
Cyberbullying Policy occurred. The investigation may involve reviewing documentation
of the alleged bullying and interviewing the parties involved in the alleged cyberbullying.
3.
Notify — If LUOA determines that a violation of the Cyberbullying Policy did occur, the
parents/guardians/affiliate POCs of all students involved will be notified of the
occurrence(s) and the resulting disciplinary action(s). School administration will notify
local law enforcement if it believes that criminal charges are warranted.
4.
Disciplinary Action — The LUOA school administration will take appropriate action
in addressing the misconduct and doing its best to prevent it from occurring again.
Disciplinary action may include the following measures:
•
Verbal warning to the student,
56
•
Requiring a written apology sent to any student who was harassed, the
administration, and any other parties involved, and
•
Permanent expulsion from the academy.
PARENTAL RIGHTS POLICY
Parents typically have undivided rights to make joint educational choices for their children. The
only means of nullifying this is by court order. LUOA will not terminate or deny the rights of any
parent until it has proof of legal obligation not to provide student information to one or both
parents. In such cases, a court order must state that one or both parents may not have access
to information pertaining to a child who attends LUOA. Additional identifying information such as
a birth certificate may be required in order to verify parental status.
SUICIDE & SELF-HARM POLICY
When a student is identified by an LUOA employee as potentially suicidal or self-injurious,
LUOA administration will contact the student and parents/guardians/affiliate POCs to check on
safety concerns. The purpose of this policy is to protect the health, safety, and well-being of
LUOA students by having procedures in place to prevent suicide and other self-harming
behaviors. This policy complements other LUOA policies in supporting the emotional and
behavioral health of students.
CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT POLICY
Many states have enacted laws and/or reinforced current laws defining mandated child abuse or
neglect reporting requirements.
Virginia Legislature reporting requirements mandate that every employee of a public or private
institution of higher education who, in his or her employment capacity, has reason to suspect
that a child (under the age of 18) is an abused or neglected child, has a responsibility under law
to report the suspected child abuse or neglect within 24 hours of concern. This report must be
made to the local city or county Social Services office where the child resides, where the abuse
or neglect is believed to have occurred, or to the Virginia Department of Social Services toll-free
child abuse and neglect hotline at (800) 552-7096. LUOA will contact our Liberty University
Police Department directly with any concerns.
57
ADULT LEARNER POLICY
Students who will be 20 years old on or before August 1 of the school year in which they are
applying will not be permitted to enroll in Liberty University Online Academy.
58