EKAPS Distance Education Program Plan School Year 2026 – 2027
General Statements:
Explore Knowledge Academy of Public Speaking (EKAPS) is offering a Distance Learning program for the FY 2026 – 2027 school year. All approved students may select Distance Learning for the upcoming school year. All courses offered at EKAPS are aligned with the Nevada Academic Content Standards (NVACS). All classes for all grade levels will be one school semester in length. High school classes will have a weight of 0.5 credits per class. Students enrolled in Explore Knowledge Academy of Public Speaking (EKAPS) Distance Learning Program will be enrolled in a minimum of 6 classes and are expected to spend a minimum of 5.5 hours a day online working on their assigned coursework.
The Elementary Program (K-5):
Elementary students enrolled in EKAPS’ Distance Learning Program will receive their academic content from our online content provider. All students will be enrolled in a minimum of six classes. The coursework from the program provides content to meet the needs of all learners while maintaining the rigorous NVACS. The online platform is easy to use with interactive lessons.
The Secondary Program (6-12):
Secondary students enrolled in EKAPS’ Distance Learning Program will receive their academic content through our online content provider. All students will be enrolled in a minimum of six classes. The coursework provides content to meet the needs of all learners while maintaining the rigorous NVACS. Students will have multiple ways to access and learn the content, including direct instruction videos, interactive tasks and standards, interactive learning tools, and formative/summative assessments.
Enrollment:
During the enrollment period, families will be given the choice to select either our traditional face-to-face program or our distance learning program as part of our online enrollment process. Any family may request to be a distance learning student. Prior to acceptance, a representative of EKAPS will discuss with the parent/guardian the supervision required and clarify the rules for students/families prior to signing the Distance Learning Contract.
Students enrolled in other schools may not attend EKAPS’ distance learning program on a full-time or part-time basis. Students outside Clark County may not attend any of EKAPS’ programs. Only EKAPS full-time enrolled students may participate in the distance learning program. The distance learning program is a full-time program; students may not be enrolled in both distance learning and face-to-face learning at EKAPS at the same time. EKAPS’ counselors and members of the student support team will ensure that students at all grade levels are
enrolled in the appropriate classes for their grade level or those needed for high school graduation. All middle and high school students will meet with a counselor to develop their plan of study for the year. Plans of study will be completed in the Infinite Campus system.
Attendance/Academic Progress:
EKAPS will monitor attendance and participation for each Distance Learning student through the online program’s system and report that information in the Infinite Campus system on a weekly basis. Student attendance in each course is electronically recorded through the student management system. Students will receive a positive attendance record for the weeks students log into the system and actively work on their classes, participate in the program, and/or complete assignments within the program. When requested by EKAPS, students will be required to attend an online session with the Distance Learning Liaison.
Students are expected to complete all of their courses within one semester. Students in middle and high school must achieve a final grade of 60% or higher to receive credit for the course. Students who are not making progress, completing assignments on time, or continuing at the suggested pace discussed at the initial counseling meetings will be contacted by members of the student support team. If a member of the student support team cannot make contact within 10 school days, the student will be blocked from their coursework and will be withdrawn from the EKAPS Distance Learning program.
A licensed EKAPS teacher, or a member of the student support team, will be responsible for assigning and issuing final grades for all coursework. Students will be required to meet all expectations and standards in the course syllabi. If a student is struggling or in need of additional guidance, a member of the student support team will be available to assist them in providing study skills, organizational skills, arranging time with a course teacher, or other support as needed. When a student fails to log in to the system for a week, this too will trigger the student support team to reach out and contact the student and or family to get the student back on track as soon as possible.
Testing:
Students will be required to take and pass any exams within the student management system. The minimum performance criterion will be 60% to pass. Students will be required to take all standardized tests required by the State of Nevada in person, on EKAPS’ campus, following the guidelines outlined by the state. Parents/Guardians in the program must sign the Distance Learning agreement stating that they acknowledge that their student must take all required exams on campus, prior to their student being admitted. EKAPS does not provide transportation for students to take required exams on campus. If a student fails to come to campus for required assessments, they will be blocked from their coursework and withdrawn from EKAPS’ Distance Learning program.
Technology:
EKAPS will loan technology to our Distance Learning students who do not own their own devices. Our loan program ensures that all students have access to the technology at home that they need to be successful at our school. Families will be sent an informational letter with a form to complete for the Technology Loan Program prior to the start of the program.
Individualized Programs:
English Learners, students with Individualized Education Plans and 504 plans, along with those students who test in the lowest 40th percentile on the NWEA Map tests, and students needing Humanities courses, will receive specialized services as needed. Services can be performed on campus or may be arranged with the specialized instructor through distance/electronic means.
Nutrition Services:
Students will not have access to nutrition services, as Explore Knowledge Academy of Public Speaking (EKAPS) does not provide nutrition services.