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On July 1, 2021, Governor DeWine signed into Law HB 110.  The Operating Budget contained non-budgetary language covering many topics including a Virtual School option for 2021-2022.  Below is some important information concerning this new educational option.  First, it is important to understand that this legislation is NOT intended as a response to COVID protocols, like we experienced in the 2020-2021 school year.  

Virtual schooling this year will NOT resemble iPride Virtual Academy.  More likely than not, your child will receive all instruction from 3rd party providers and have limited or no interaction with Independence Local Schools teachers and staff. Depending on demand and availability, we will be using the Ohio Online Learning Program (OOLP) via the northeast Ohio Educational Service Center.  This is the same curricular programming used in 2020-2021 (Lincoln Online Learning for KG-5 and Edgenuity for 6-12).  Please understand that this is NOT the same level of connection as Ipride Virtual Academy.  Our school counselors will monitor attendance of your child and the staff of OOLP will act as case manager for each student.  Your child will still be invited to participate in school activities and extracurriculars, including athletics.  This is a year-long commitment.  Students must stay in the chosen programming for the 2021-2022 school year.

We understand that the decision to have your child learn remotely may be dependent on the district masking policies.  While we cannot set this policy yet, please read the questions below carefully to help us understand the community response to virtual vs. in-person learning.