Frequently Asked Questions

We would like to say it’s appropriate and best for everyone, but no one size fits all…Riverside Virtual School may be appropriate for various types of students depending on their individual needs, preferences, and circumstances. Some of the students who may benefit from attending a virtual school include:

1. **Highly Motivated or Independent Learners:** Some students thrive in self-directed learning environments and are motivated to manage their time effectively. Virtual schools often allow flexibility in scheduling, enabling such students to pursue their studies at their own pace.

2. **Advanced Learners:**  RVS is an excellent choice for highly motivated students who are already pursuing specialized interests or advanced coursework outside of high school. While we focus on delivering a rigorous, foundational core curriculum, our self-paced, flexible structure provides the single most valuable resource for ambitious students: time. RVS allows you to master the required material efficiently, freeing up your schedule to pursue challenging dual-enrollment college courses and outside commitments that demand significant blocks of time. By providing schedule flexibility, RVS becomes the perfect strategic anchor for your customized and accelerated learning path.

3. **Students with Health/Medical Issues:** Students who have chronic illnesses or health conditions that make attending a physical school challenging can benefit from virtual schools. Online education allows them to access quality education from the comfort of their homes while managing their health.

4. **Students with Disabilities:** Virtual schools can provide a more tailored and accommodating learning environment for students with disabilities. It can offer various accessibility features and personalized support that may be difficult to achieve in traditional brick-and-mortar schools.

5. **Students with Social Anxiety or Bullying Experiences:** Virtual schools can provide a safe and more comfortable learning environment for students who struggle with social anxiety or have experienced bullying in traditional schools.

6. **Frequent Travelers or Athletes:** Students who travel frequently due to sports commitments, family reasons, or other obligations can benefit from virtual schools since they can continue their education from any location with an internet connection.

7. **Home-Schooled Students Seeking Accredited Programs:** Some families choose to homeschool their children but seek accredited educational programs. Virtual schools can offer structured and accredited curricula, providing a balance between homeschooling and formal education.

8. **Students Facing Unique Circumstances:** Virtual schools can be beneficial for students facing unique situations, such as teen parents, actors or performers pursuing careers, and those involved in long-term projects or volunteering.

However, it's important to note that virtual schooling may not be suitable for everyone. Some students thrive in a traditional classroom setting, and social interactions that come with physical schools can be essential for their development. Each student's individual learning style, support system, and educational goals should be considered when determining the appropriateness of virtual schooling.

Riverside Virtual School is a transfer only school. If you are interested in learning more about RVS, please complete this RVS Interest Form and someone will contact you with more information. This form is not an official Transfer Request. You will need to submit a transfer request with the RUSD Pupil Services Department.

Please see the RUSD Pupil Services webpage for more information and inter-district and intra-district transfers applications. CLICK HERE

RVS Interest Form          Transfer Request

Students attend virtual school for a variety of reasons, primarily centered around flexibility, personalized learning, and unique educational needs. These reasons include the ability to access a wider range of courses and experience a learning environment that may be more conducive to their individual needs and circumstances.

1. Flexibility and Convenience:

• Location Independence:

  Students can access their coursework from anywhere with an internet connection, eliminating geographical barriers and making it easier for students in remote areas or those who travel frequently to continue their education. 

2. Individualized Learning:

• Self-Paced Learning:

  Students can progress through material at their own speed, spending more time on challenging concepts and moving quickly through areas they understand well.

• Personalized Curriculum:

  Some virtual schools offer tailored learning plans and specialized instruction to address individual learning styles and needs. 

3. Addressing Specific Needs:

• Unique Circumstances:

  Virtual school can be a good fit for students who have medical conditions, learning disabilities, or other challenges that make it difficult to attend a traditional school.

• Social and Emotional Needs:

  Some students may thrive in a virtual environment that minimizes distractions and provides a safer, more controlled learning space, potentially reducing exposure to bullying or negative social situations.

• Credit Recovery and Acceleration:

  Virtual schools offer opportunities for students to make up missed credits or accelerate their learning by taking additional courses. 

4. Other Benefits:

• Reduced Costs:

  Virtual schools can potentially reduce transportation costs and textbook expenses. 

• Increased Parental Involvement:

  Parents can be more involved in their child's education in a virtual setting, monitoring progress and providing support. 

Yes! We provide students with a Chromebook, a digital writing tablet, a supplemental monitor, textbooks, and grade level materials (things like pens/ pencils, paper, math manipulatives, etc.) We will also make sure you have a good internet connection!  

RVS offers a completely virtual model, so students are not required to attend in-person classes. However, sometimes we require students to attend in-person for required state tests (for example, the 5th, 7th, and 9th grade physical fitness test) or intervention support.

We offer many optional in-person opportunities for students to meet other students and participate in activities such as park days, movie nights, family fun days, student government, yearbook, and clubs.

Yes, students in K-12 grade have access to counselors to help support their social emotional needs and we have a school counselor available to help students with their academics and other needs. At the secondary level, students are also assigned an advisory teacher and meet with their advisory class every Wednesday. The extra support helps students stay on track and meet their academic goals!

Yes, RVS holds its own 6th and 8th grade promotion ceremony, as well as a graduation ceremony at one of the local high schools. Please check our website or social media in the Spring for details or specific information about our promotion and graduation ceremonies.

While RVS operates as a completely virtual option, we also offer many in-person events and activities to allow students to build strong friendships with other students. Student survey results indicate that many students have a strong sense of belonging and a great school climate and culture.

My Child Needs Extended Leave for Medical or Mental Health Treatment. What happens to their RVS Enrollment?

If a student requires admission to a structured medical or mental health program (such as inpatient hospitalization or day treatment), their RVS enrollment must be adjusted accordingly. Because RVS requires student availability for synchronous (live) instruction during school hours, continued active participation in the virtual school is not possible during treatment.

To ensure your child's education continues without interruption, they will be transitioned to the RUSD Home/Hospital program (if the facility is within district boundaries) or will formally withdraw to enroll in the district where the facility is located.

Action: Parents must contact the RVS Office immediately upon admission.

For a full description of the three scenarios (Residential Out-of-District, Residential In-District, and Day Treatment), please refer to

Parent/Student Handbook: Extended Medical Leave for Student

VIDEO! Take 5-Minutes and Watch and Listen about medical Leave