Blowing a class completely vs. barely failing could mean the difference between costly summer school and a free online course to get back on track.
Aiken County students will register for summer school Friday, but those who failed a class with a grade of 61-69 can opt to take the course online in the fall with the credit recovery program. This past year 42 students used the program, now in its third year.
The self-paced credit recovery is similar to the state Virtual Schools option, except that a student has a class monitor and teacher on hand instead of relying on a virtual teacher or monitor, said Debbie Hubbard, Aiken County school redesign director.
Choosing credit recovery or summer school isn't always connected though, said Andy Reeves, Aiken County secondary education director.
"There is a set system they have to go through with both with guidance (office) recommendation," he said, and a student's ultimate decision.
Mr. Reeves said students who have a grade of at least 61 grasped some of the knowledge in the course, but not enough to pass. No matter their final grade, a 70 will go on their transcript. Students getting below a 61 are recommended for summer school because they need more instruction.
With 120 hours crammed into 15 days, North Augusta High summer school Principal Collette Johnson said students have to come ready to work.
"It's a longer day than a usual school day," she said. "And some may struggle, but there's not all the projects or homework because they try to do all the work in class."
Mrs. Johnson and other instructors say success depends on the student.
"We have some ninth-graders that aren't really ready, but they experience summer school once and they get back on track because they don't want to be back again," Mrs. Johnson said.
At Ridge Spring-Monetta High, credit recovery is offered in the summer for students because Aiken High isn't close. Area 4 Assistant Superintendent Joy Shealy said that 75 percent of the students who took courses last year successfully completed the next level of course work this year.
"I think that really says a lot about the success of it," she said.
Mrs. Johnson said she was worried that financially strapped families might skip the $275 summer school course this year, but numbers won't be known until sessions end in July. Credit recovery is free.
Summer school is offered to Aiken County and out-of-district students in middle and high school.
Reach Julia Sellers at (706) 823-3424 or julia.sellers@augustachronicle.com.
Summer School information
HIGH SCHOOL
SITES: Aiken and North Augusta high schools
REGISTRATION: At both schools' cafeterias from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Friday for in-county students; 12:30-1:30 p.m. for all other students
Schedule: 8 a.m.-noon and 12:30-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday
COST: Aiken County students, $275 per course; out-of-district students, $275 per course plus $100 fee; out-of-state students, $275 per course plus $150 fee (tuition must be paid in full at registration with a cashier's check or money order)
MIDDLE SCHOOL
SITES: Paul Knox and Aiken middle schools
REGISTRATION: Friday at each school from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4-6 p.m.
Schedule: 8-11 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. Monday-Friday
COST: Aiken County students, $250 per course, $350 for two courses; out-of-district students, $300 per course, $400 for two courses; out-of-state students, $350 per course, $450 for two courses (tuition must be paid in full at registration with a cashier's check or money order)
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