FAQs
Enrollment and Attendance FAQs
Who is eligible to attend Missouri Virtual Academy (MOVA)?
Any student in grades K–12 who resides in Missouri and:
- Is currently attending a Missouri public school (if school is in session)
- Has completed the most recent semester of enrollment in a Missouri public school
Students must have written permission from their home school district before enrolling in MOVA. Students attending MOVA remain enrolled in their home school district.
Are there any exceptions for a student who wasn't enrolled in a Missouri public school the previous semester?
Yes, there is an exception for students who have a documented medical or psychological diagnosis or condition that prevented them from attending school in their community the previous semester.
How many of my children can I enroll?
Because MOVA provides the lesson plans and materials needed for grades K–12, many parents find it easy to enroll multiple children in the program.
What does it cost to attend MOVA?
Because MOVA is a public school program, there is no tuition. Qualified families may receive a loaner computer and printer. These computer systems are instructional property and must be returned when the student leaves MOVA. Students and families are responsible for providing some common household materials (such as printer ink and paper). Our enrollment consultants can help address your technological and computer questions and needs.
What is the attendance policy?
As Missouri public school students, all MOVA students must comply with the state-required minimum number of 180 instructional days. The parent/Learning Coach logs daily attendance in the Online School. Attendance and progress reports are also reported to students' home districts on a regular basis. In the event a student does not consistently work in the program, the resident district could withdraw permission for the child to attend MOVA.
All families must attend parent orientation, and new students will complete the Online Learning course via the Online School. Families are expected to maintain regular communication with MOVA teachers, and students and parents/Learning Coaches need to check their email and phone messages daily.
Can our family take a vacation during the school year?
The school calendar includes school holidays or vacation time. Whenever possible, family vacations should align with school vacation days. Parents are encouraged to contact their student's teacher if they plan a vacation that does not coordinate with the school calendar. Extended family travel, except during normal school vacation periods, requires written notification and vacation contract approval by the head of school or designee. This should be completed at least one week before the extended absence.
If a student is provided one option for online learning, is that enough?
The Missouri Course Access and Virtual School Program (MOCAP) law requires the state provide multiple virtual learning options. Students may enroll in the MOCAP course or program of their choosing. School districts and charter schools are required by law to inform parents of their child's right to participate in MOCAP courses or programs through, at a minimum, the parent handbook and registration documents featured on the home page of the school district or charter school's website.
Do MOVA students need to withdraw from their resident district or charter school?
No, MOVA students should not withdraw from their local district school. Instead, MOVA students stay enrolled in their local school district and participate remotely in MOVA's program. MOVA students remain active in their local school district and may participate in their resident or charter school's activities and events.
When students enroll in MOVA, do they transfer to Grandview R-2 School District?
No. Students participate in MOVA's virtual school program but remain students of their resident district. Students should not withdraw from their resident district but should stay enrolled in their resident district. The resident district will administer state assessments to MOVA students and provide certain services, such as special education services if needed.
Do MOVA students meet local school district requirements?
Yes. MOVA students are still enrolled in their resident district, and MOVA will work with the district to ensure students are meeting local requirements, including graduation requirements. MOVA students should request transcripts through their resident district or charter school.
If a student has an IEP, who provides those services?
Because MOVA students are still part of their resident district, those local school districts maintain certain services, such as special education, Section 504, McKinney-Vento, and English Learner services. When applicable, the district may wish to reconvene the IEP team to communicate with the family whether MOVA is the least restrictive environment (LRE) and a free, appropriate public education (FAPE) can be provided. MOVA is prepared to provide general education services in accordance with students' accommodation plan when the plan is shared with MOVA staff. MOVA's special programs manager is also available to participate in these meetings if requested.
How do I apply to enroll my student in MOVA?
Parents of prospective students must fill out the "Application for Non-Resident Student to Enroll Full-Time in Missouri Virtual Academy (MOVA)" as follows:
1. Fill out Sections I and II of the Application and review Section III, if applicable.
2. Review and sign Section IV.
3. Send or deliver the application to your resident school district or charter school official for approval and signature in Section V. Please be sure to read the section below about getting approval from your district or charter school.
4. When you send the form to the school district or charter school, please upload the unsigned form right away to MOVA's portal: https://mova.k12.com. MOVA's enrollment coordinator will help you track the form through completion and answer your questions along the way.
5. If you have not received a response from the school district in one week after sending it, please notify MOVA's enrollment coordinator so MOVA can follow up on your behalf.
6. Once you receive the signed application from your resident district or charter school, upload a copy of the completed application to MOVA's portal: https://mova.k12.com. If your resident district has a board approved application form, please ensure that you include that as well and any other documents required by your resident district.
If you have any questions about the enrollment process, please contact MOVA's enrollment team for assistance.
How do I get approval from my school district so my student may enroll in MOVA?
Each school district or charter school may have its own process for students who wish to enroll in online courses or a virtual school program. The process must be substantially similar to the process used to enroll students in non-virtual courses. A school district or charter school may not adopt a policy that is more difficult for enrollment in a virtual school program, such as MOVA. If you encounter MOVA applicants are being treated differently than other district or charter school students, please contact MOVA's enrollment coordinator.
Is my student required to talk with a school counselor before being approved to enroll in MOVA?
Your school district's enrollment policy may require that a student first talk with a district or charter school's counselor before being approved to enroll in MOVA. However, the counselor does not approve or deny a student enrolling in MOVA. Only students in school districts with policies requiring consultation must do so.
I submitted MOVA's approval form to my school district, but they have not responded. What should I do?
All school districts and charter schools are expected to respond to your request for approval as they would respond to a student who seeks to enroll in a non-virtual course. When you submitted the approval form to your resident district or charter school, you should have also uploaded a copy to MOVA's parent portal (https://k12parentportal.force.com/portal_sitelogin) on the same day. If you have not already done so, please do so now. If one week has passed without a response from your resident district, please contact MOVA's enrollment coordinator so she can follow up on your behalf.
When my school district signs my MOVA approval form, what should I do next?
When you have completed and signed MOVA's approval form and obtained the signature of your school district or charter school official, upload the completed application to MOVA's portal at https://k12parentportal.force.com/portal_sitelogin.
Can my school district or charter school deny my student's enrollment in MOVA?
In general, no. A school district or charter school should not deny eligible students who wish to enroll in MOVA. However, they may, in rare instances, deny approval for a student if there is "good cause." "Good cause" means the school district or charter school has made a documented determination that enrolling in MOVA would not be in your student's best educational interest. If they reach this conclusion, they must provide you written notice and state the for that finding. They must also inform you that you have the right to appeal an enrollment denial.
If your student is denied enrollment by your school district, please be sure to notify MOVA's enrollment coordinator.
How can I appeal a denial?
Notify your local school district board you would like to appeal the denial. The board will notify you with details about when the appeal will be heard. You will be provided an opportunity at an official school board meeting to present your reasons for your child to participate in MOVA. At that same meeting, the school district must present why they denied your enrollment request. School board members must issue a decision in writing within 30 calendar days. If you are still not satisfied with that decision, you may appeal to Missouri's Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), and that agency must provide a final enrollment decision within seven calendar days.
