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Student Handbook

Orientation Student Handbook 2025-2026

General Information

The VLA is a public, comprehensive school for grades 6-12 offering a standards-based curriculum. All instruction is provided by certified teachers.

  • Grades 6-8: Core content (ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies) and exploratory classes.

  • Grades 9-12: Required core content and elective courses for graduation.

Contact Information

  • Address: 415 Harding Drive, Lebanon, TN 37087

  • Phone: 615-453-3400

Enrollment

  • Eligibility: Limited to students residing within the Wilson County Schools' district.

  • Process: Requires an annual Out of Zone waiver application. Late applications are not accepted.

  • Commitment: Requires a one-year commitment from students and parents.

  • Academic Progress: The Principal may revoke virtual privileges and return a student to their school of zone if progress is inadequate.

Program Guidelines and Expectations

  • Student Privacy: Families must follow FERPA laws. Recording lessons or posting photos/videos of other students online is prohibited.

  • Daily Requirements: Students must dedicate daily time to learning, check Schoology and Gmail daily, use district-issued devices, and respond to teacher communications within 24 hours.
  • Academic Honesty: Students must follow academic honesty policies; sharing passwords or login information is strictly prohibited.

     

Student Engagement & Support

Engagement is measured through course pacing, online participation, timely assignment completion, and communication response.

  • Step 1: Parent/Teacher/Student conference.

  • Step 2: Meeting with VLA administrator.

  • Step 3: Potential disciplinary action.

State Law and Tech Support

  • Student Accommodation Requests: Per Public Acts of 2024, Chapter No. 832, school employees must report student requests for gender-affirming accommodations (different names/pronouns) to administrators, who then notify parents.

  • Chromebooks: Students must use WCS-issued devices; personal devices are not permitted.

  • Support Contacts: Assistant Principals Charlie Lowery (ext. 2426) and Cory Freeland (ext. 2403).

Internet & Zoom Expectations

  • Internet: Adequate internet service is required for enrollment.

  • Zoom: Cameras must be on with the student’s face clearly visible. Failure to do so results in removal and an absence.
  • Asynchronous Assignments: Must be submitted by 3:00 PM daily. Incomplete or blank submissions result in an absence and a zero grade.

  • Attendance Verification: VLA uses Zoom logs to track entry and exit times for attendance disputes.

Designated Learning Area & Administration

  • Learning Area: Must be distraction-free and private; no other individuals should be visible on camera.

  • Administration:

    • Shaun Caven, Principal
    • Kristie Buhler, Assistant Principal
    • Charlie Lowery, Assistant Principal
    • Cory Freeland, Assistant Principal

Daily Schedules

  • Middle School (6-8): Six periods (Math, ELA, Science, Social Studies, Focus, Exploratory) from 7:45 AM to 2:45 PM.

  • High School (9-12): A/B block rotation. Synchronous classes are Monday/Wednesday (A-day) and Tuesday/Thursday (B-day), with Fridays rotating. Block 1 starts at 7:45 AM; Focus ends at 2:45 PM.

Attendance Verification

  • Requirements: 180 days of instruction, 6.5 hours per day.

  • Sync Rules: Missing 15+ minutes = absence; less than 15 minutes = tardy.

  • Documentation: Absence notes must be submitted within 3 days. Parents have 5 excuse notes per semester.

Attendance Policies

  • Truancy: TCA 49-6-3001 requires attendance for students ages 6-17. 5+ unexcused absences trigger a report to the District Attendance Supervisor.

  • Driver's License: Deficient attendance (10 consecutive or 15 total unexcused absences in a semester) results in license revocation.

In-Person Assessment Requirement

All major assessments (iReady, TNReady, EOC, ACT, etc.) must be completed in-person at 415 Harding Drive, Lebanon. Failure to attend results in an absence and a zero grade.

Grading System

  • Scale: A (90-100), B (80-89), C (70-79), D (60-69), F (Below 60).

  • Late Work: Late assignments cannot receive a grade higher than 79 (C).

  • Weighted Grades: Honors (+3 pts), Dual Credit (+4 pts), AP/Dual Enrollment (+5 pts).