Georgia Virtual School (GAVS) is a fully online, asynchronous school that is available to all students in Georgia. DSA students typically use GAVS to take courses that are not available at DSA, but a student may take an online course even when the course is offered at their main school. To see the courses that are available in GAVS, visit https://www.gavirtualschool.org/Course-Info.
State law requires school departments to make families aware of GAVS and to pay for enrollment when GAVS classes are taken during the school day. Both DSA and DCSD must approve a requested enrollment to use GAVS during the school day. Although the law establishing GAVS says that all students are eligible, some families have found it necessary to personally phone the regional superintendent to obtain approval. DSA is not able to approve the request if DCSD does not.
Another option is for families to pay for enrollment and ask DSA to schedule it in “5th period,” meaning the student does all coursework on her own time after school. When a student self-pays, DCSD approval is not needed. However, the student will need to take an additional course so that all 8 school day slots are filled with courses.
The process for enrolling:
- Consult with the DSA counselor to request school permission
- Register for the course you want on the GAVS site
- If the registration is rejected, you can appeal to DCSD or work with the DSA counselor to change your schedule and make GAVS a 5th period