How It Works

How Online Middle School Works

Who can attend?

The Destinations Career Academy of New Mexico (Destinations) middle school program serves students in grades 6–8 who reside in New Mexico.


What are the costs?

Because Destinations is part of the public school system, it’s tuition-free. Enrolled families receive the K12 curriculum, and eligible families receive a loaner computer and printer.

What is my role as a parent?

Middle school is a time when students become more independent, taking on more responsibility and ownership for their learning and working more directly with their teachers. But parent involvement is still critical to student success. As a parent, you (or another responsible adult you choose) serve as your child’s Learning Coach.

While teachers set the pace of instruction, the Learning Coach helps their student stay on track. Parent/Learning Coach involvement is essential for at least 20 hours a week and roughly 50–60 percent of this time is online. The initial 4–8 weeks can be intensive as your family settles into a routine. 

Mother and daughter attending to an online class

Working with Your Teacher

Teachers provide individual and small group assistance via online synchronous sessions called “Class Connects.” Students are expected to attend all required Class Connects and meet with their teacher to receive course assistance, tutoring, and instruction. Class Connects vary by grade level and are scheduled by your teacher.


Expectations for Completing Schoolwork

In middle school, student learning changes to a semester-based approach where students are required to earn a passing grade on their assignments and online lessons. Due dates are assigned to lessons to encourage consistent, steady progress for academic success.

While online lessons can usually be completed at any time of day, students are required to attend teacher-led, direct-instruction, online synchronous Class Connect sessions. During Class Connects, students receive online instruction from teachers and have opportunities to interact virtually with classmates. 

Attending Class Connects and completing coursework according to the assigned pacing schedule, will help set up your student for success.


Attendance

Attendance is logged Monday through Friday, but academic progress can be achieved during the weekends as well. Middle school students are expected to spend approximately 4–7 hours on schoolwork per school day.


Email

Email is the primary form of communication between the school and families. Learning Coaches and students are required to check and respond to emails on a daily basis.


Assessments

The school year begins with benchmark testing to measure students’ baseline knowledge and these results will drive individualized instruction. Mid-year and end-of-year benchmark testing will also occur to measure each student’s growth toward mastering all state standards. Our testing is purposeful and meaningful and drives our instructional practices to best serve the individual needs of your child.


State Testing

Destinations students must comply with all New Mexico-mandated testing requirements.