FAQ

We have added a number of students and staff to support the growing needs of online learning. Many schools and teachers were not prepared for the unprecedented shift to virtual education. We were. In our third year, we saw a large growth in our social community among students and families; the size of our school rapidly increased, and we have maintained close connections with advocates and teachers. We increased our scholarships and live teaching times to help new students adjust to virtual learning. We have increased our commitment to social-emotional wellbeing.

We are ready to partner with new students and families who are ready for a supportive, holistic education that cares for you and your student.

We will be offering scholarships for the 23/24 school year on a case by case basis. Please email vgoadmissions@valorschool.org for more info.

If you would like to donate to our scholarship fund to increase our scholarship availability, you may donate to the Valor Global Foundation in any amount you choose. Thank you for your support.

There is a one-time enrollment fee of $200 per student, due with the initial application.

Sometimes, circumstances are such that students need to leave midyear. Midyear withdrawals are any withdrawal from the first day of orientation prior to the first day of school, up to the final week of school.

Please send formal withdrawal notice to vgoadmissions@valorschool.org with the student’s name, grade level, and final date of attendance with Valor Global Online.

The tuition for the month of withdrawal dates is not prorated. You will be charged for the entire month even if you unenroll partially through a month.

To honor our commitment to the global students sponsored by families’ tuition, we charge a $350 withdrawal fee per student for any student who withdraws midyear. This payment covers the remainder of the cost for our sponsored students and allows us to keep all students enrolled in their school for the school year. Thank you for your support of our international sister schools.

There is a 2% tuition discount if you pay in full before July 1. There is a 10% tuition discount for every student that you refer who enrolls in Valor Global Online.

An advocate is a Valor Global Online staff member who mentors, encourages, and teaches students how to effectively advocate for themselves in classes and in the rest of their lives. Advocates meet with students individually at least weekly to help set goals, prioritize work loads, balance areas of life, and spend time developing students’ spiritual growth.

Our goal at Valor is that every student is seen and heard daily. Your student will begin every morning with either a video or live zoom call with their advocate in a short homeroom period. We offer a Focus Group staffed by an advocate to assist students in completing their work.

Valor creates freedom within structure: Students have the ability to participate live or watch recordings of classes. Live classes and focus groups generally run from 8am – 1pm Pacific Time, Monday through Thursday.

• Sample Elementary Schedule
• Sample Middle School Schedule
• Sample High School Schedule

A student would spend time outside of these scheduled work times on lessons, content, assessments, and projects. Students can use the flexible timing to continue learning while on trips, participating in sports or activities, and to work at a time of day when they are most productive.

Students can expect to spend four to five hours per day total, typically in the morning. Time spent on coursework is dependent upon the classes chosen. Students also meet live with an advocate Monday-Thursday in homeroom and have unlimited access should the student need additional support or encouragement. Teachers and tutors will meet with students as needed.

Students are encouraged to attend classes live to facilitate greater interactions with their peers and teachers, but live attendance is not required.

A full-time student will take 6 classes (English, Math, Social Studies, Science, Bible and Global Impact) with an option to add an elective.

Global Impact is a Valor-created course where VGO students collaborates with students around the world. Global Impact classes occur once a week. Students can attend the class in real-time (live) or watch a recording of this class.

We use a large variety of curriculum, modified and approved in order to ensure Biblical integration, real world academics and meaningful application. Our academic content position students as creators, not consumers, drawing from an entrepreneurial mindset. The combination of course material and entrepreneurial tactics create a unique and innovative curriculum for all students.

We are different in many ways, including our strong social community, and our whole-child approach that integrates physical, emotional, spiritual and cognitive growth. Our course offerings focus on students creating and producing rather than passively taking in content.

Our hybrid of live teaching by qualified teachers and flexible timing distinguishes us from other online programs, both homeschool and virtual school. The social community fosters relationships, support systems, and increases student motivation and emotional well-being.

As kids get older, their best laptop choice will vary depending on their needs. As a parent, it’s important that you and your child are in sync about how they intend to use it and the size of the programs they want. It’s also important that you choose an operating system that serves your needs the best, that integrates well into your ecosystem of devices, and will last as long as you need it to. Other factors to consider include audio quality from the speakers and microphones, battery life, durability, and CPU/GPU performance.
For daily use, students need a desktop computer or laptop with video and sound capabilities, for watching and participating. We do not recommend Chromebooks or tablets as a primary device. These types of devices are not compatible with many of the assignments and programs we utilize.
Most of our live calls and opportunities for video collaboration happen through Zoom, which includes video, sound, and chat. Download Zoom below with no additional costs for you.
Each student is highly encouraged to have their own personal device where they can stay logged in throughout the week to access their courses and messages from Valor Global Online.

Minimum Requirements for Devices:

• An up-to-date operating system (Windows, Mac OS - we do not recommend Chrome OS, iOS, or Android for daily classes and coursework)
• Chrome Browser installed
• Working webcam/microphone
• Stable internet connection (5 mbps upload/download speed)
• Newest version of Zoom installed and logged in
• Single user (not shared between students, parents/students)
• Working headphones (to prevent feedback during classes)
• Physical keyboard (not required, but HIGHLY recommended for course work)

The 2023-2024 school year officially starts on September 5, 2023, and ends on June 6, 2024. Students may start on a rolling basis throughout the school year.

Grading periods:

• Fall September 5 - February 2
• Spring February 5 - June 6

Many of our students start at the beginning of the school year. Students can start anytime with a rolling start date and will work with their advocate and teachers to find an appropriate pacing to complete their course(s) and participate in the school community.

All of our assignments do have set due dates however, should your student need to adjust pacing, our teachers and advocates will work with you on a case by case basis. Our goal is that your student maintain forward progress and be prepared to learn the critical skills covered in the class.

All students can participate in week-long mission trips in the spring that are cultural learning experiences. In addition, students are able to study abroad at Valor Korea (outside of Seoul) and Valor USA (near Portland, Oregon) for a term.

Students attend one service learning trip in person each year and participate in other service-focused virtual activities throughout the school year.

High school students are offered the opportunity to participate in a service learning trip around spring break. Classes are paused for this week to support the trip.

Middle school students are able to travel with a high school group if a parent or adult chaperone also attends on the trip. Middle school students may opt to attend a service week outside of Portland, Oregon, where they will be placed with a host family from Valor USA, and do not require an adult chaperone (although adult chaperones are always welcome).

Middle school and elementary students are supported in finding service opportunities in their area that fit their interests and passions. Advocates and Impact groups will work with students and families to support finding and reflecting on the service learning experiences.

Chapel is held once per week for each age group. Attendance at chapel is optional, and families are welcome to attend and participate. Elementary, Middle School, and High School chapel are led by our school chaplain, Pastor Greg Hickman.

Your tuition also pays an entire year of tuition for one student at one of our supported sister schools. (Located in Kenya, the Philippines, Guatemala, and Haiti.) The schools build relationships and connect through Impact groups, course assignments, and other creative ventures. This ongoing connection and partnership changes apathy to impact: giving and contributing to others brings lasting joy, peace, and fulfillment.

Locations may change from year to year. Generally, we visit the schools that our One2One program supports and host at least one domestic trip. Locations have included:

• Kachamega, Kenya (outside of Nairobi)
• Tongko Village, Philippines (outside of Manilla)
• Titeyen, Haiti (outside of Port a Prince)
• Portland, Oregon

Service learning trip costs are dependent upon the location of the trip and the student’s location. Costs range from $500 – $3000.

Students are empowered to raise trip funds through service rather than asking for donations. We provide funding strategies and opportunities throughout the year. Deadlines for partial payments are set throughout the school year to encourage the mindset of constant service and forward thinking toward the trips.

Valor Global Online students partner with Valor Korea and Valor USA to attend the mission trips. Students from all school communities will meet and interact with each other prior to the trips.