Online Learning Academy

Fully prepare your K-12 students for college and career by enrolling them in the courses they need.

What is OLA?

The Online Learning Academy: OLA for short, enables school districts to provide a variety of courses for which in-district faculty or facilities may not be available.  It provides a remote learning option for Homebound or remote learners, enrollment in courses a district is not able to provide, opportunities for professional students who may be unable to complete full days onsite, and remote credit recovery options for students needing to complete courses outside of the school environment or beyond the school day.  Students can enroll in a single course or a full course schedule.

Enrolling a student in the Online Learning Academy and OLA will provide: 

• Course content for a variety of Core Content, Credit Recovery, and Elective Courses: These courses are crafted for students to learn and respond to learning asynchronously (without direct instruction by the teacher).
• New York State Certified Teachers of Record: Online Learning Academy courses are facilitated by members of the Nassau BOCES Virtual Teacher of Record Team (VTRT).  Teachers set due dates and complete the instructional plan students are to follow.  Students work independently (on their schedule).  Teachers log in to view/grade/give feedback on assignments at least three days per week.  Teachers also communicate with students via Remind and email.  Teachers meet with students once per week through scheduled Zoom sessions, either as a group or individually during preset times.
• Ongoing Administrative oversight:  The Nassau BOCES student mentor reviews student progress every week.  The Nassau BOCES student mentor partners with district-based mentors to support student success.

Districts are also able to utilize OLA resources and assign in-district teacher facilitators.   

All virtual courses that are facilitated by VTRT have been enhanced to include the following to help students transition to the virtual environment:

• A student/parent orientation, including an "Introduction to Online Learning" module
• Up to one hour of weekly, virtual face-to-face sessions
• Ongoing virtual support (audio conversations, IM, email, etc.) facilitated by an OLA student mentor working in conjunction with student's district-based School Counselors