3120.3P: Bellevue Digital Discovery Enrollment

This procedure applies to enrollment in Bellevue School District’s online school, Bellevue Digital Discovery. Bellevue Digital Discovery is an online Alternative Learning Experience.

General

Bellevue Digital Discovery is an innovative online learning option for students in kindergarten through 12th grade who reside in Washington State.

In the elementary program, students are assigned to a Bellevue School District Washington State certificated elementary teacher (BSD elementary teacher) utilizing BSD curriculum. Students also engage in learning activities led by BSD elementary teacher specialists including art, music, library, and physical education, building community, and maximizing school engagement. At least 70% of the elementary instructional time is synchronous.

Secondary students take asynchronous classes via an online learning platform. Instructional service may be provided by a Bellevue School District Washington State certificated secondary teacher (BSD secondary teacher) or by a vendor provided Washington State certificated teacher. Students may also attend a synchronous academic seminar, taught by BSD secondary teachers, that builds peer community, creates strong social emotional learning, and supports online learning success.

Who may apply

1. All applicants must be residents of Washington State and must be physically living in the State when applying and attending Bellevue Digital Discovery.
2. Resident students may need to establish residency at the time of enrollment. Nonresident students must submit nonresident paperwork annually.
3. In accordance with State law, children of eligible employees who work at Bellevue Digital Discovery will be admitted to the school if the employee so requests.

Enrollment to the school

1. Preferred entry is at the beginning of the school year, but families are welcome to apply at any time. If after the start of the school year an extenuating circumstance occurs that makes online learning the best option, students may apply for consideration based on student needs. Enrollment eligibility for priority placement will be at the discretion of the principal; documentation may be required.
2. Generally, once admitted, the student may remain enrolled in Bellevue Digital Discovery through graduation provided they remain in good standing. If a resident student moves out of the boundaries of the Bellevue School District, nonresident paperwork must be submitted to Student Placement.
3. Students who graduate from Bellevue Digital Discovery will be awarded a Bellevue School District diploma.

Resident Students – Concurrent Enrollment

1. Resident students may be concurrently enrolled in a comprehensive school and in Bellevue Digital Discovery. Examples of reasons for concurrent enrollment includes access to Heritage Language class, Advanced Learning placement, special education targeted reading, or any course requested or needed. These students do not need to apply to Bellevue Digital Discovery.
2. The student’s counselor will work with the Bellevue Digital Discovery counselor to concurrently enroll the student and add the course(s) to their schedule. If the student will be receiving special education services in Bellevue Digital Discovery, the counselor should connect with the special education team member who would be providing these services to ensure there is capacity in the class or service prior to enrolling them concurrently.
3. If the student is taking the majority of their classes at a comprehensive school, there is no need to apply to attend Bellevue Digital Discovery. However, if the majority of their classes will be at Bellevue Digital Discovery, they must submit a Bellevue Digital Discovery application and will transfer to Bellevue Digital Discovery.

Nonresident students

1. Nonresident students must apply to Bellevue Digital Discovery and will not be accepted for less than full-time enrollment unless they are the children of an eligible employee who are treated as resident students.
2. Prior to being admitted, Bellevue Digital Discovery will review the nonresident student’s prior educational records to ensure the student is in good standing and that Bellevue Digital Discovery is able to serve the student’s needs.
3. Once admitted, the student may continue at Bellevue Digital Discovery through graduation if they remain in good standing.
4. If a nonresident student withdraws from Bellevue Digital Discovery, they will need to return to their resident school district or apply and be accepted to a comprehensive school within the Bellevue School District.
5. Nonresident students who attend Bellevue Digital Discovery participate in athletics & activities in their resident district not in the Bellevue School District. They may participate in any activities hosted by Bellevue Digital Discovery.
6. Annually, when requested by Student Placement, nonresident students must submit a Choice Transfer Request (eds.ospi.k12.wa.us) to their resident district requesting to be released to the Bellevue School District.

Participation in Athletics

1. Bellevue Digital Discovery, by WIAA rule, is considered an alternative school. WIAA rule 18.6.4 outlines how students who attend Bellevue Digital Discovery are able to participate in athletic programs.
2. Students at Bellevue Digital Discovery who reside within the Bellevue School District will maintain athletic eligibility at the comprehensive high school serving the neighborhood in which they reside (attendance area school).
3. Nonresident students who attend Bellevue Digital Discovery maintain athletic eligibility at the resident public school that the student would normally attend or that student’s public school of record.
4. Additionally, all Bellevue Digital Discovery students must complete the WIAA’s Alternative Education Contract (wiaa.com) and return the contract to the athletic director of the school where they will participate.

Students who move out of District

1. Students enrolled as Bellevue School District residents who subsequently move outside the District boundaries within Washington State, must update their address through the ParentVUE Data Verification Process.
2. If the parent wants the student to remain at the current school, if the criteria for consideration of nonresident applications have been met, they will be directed to submit a Choice Transfer Request (eds.ospi.k12.wa.us) to the school district in which they live. If the criteria for consideration of nonresident applications have not been met, students may need to leave the school and District at the end of the semester, or earlier if the parent so desires.

Students who move out of Washington State

1. Both resident and nonresident students who move out of Washington State or out of the United States must notify the Bellevue Digital Discovery School and Student Placement. Due to Washington State residency requirements, these students will not be able to remain enrolled and will be withdrawn.