Online Learning
Mason Public Schools offers a variety of online learning opportunities for students.
Section 21f of Michigan's School Aid Act provides parents with the right to request that their student(s), in grades 6-12, be enrolled in up to two online courses during an academic term. Mason Public Schools supports online learning and the creative use of technology both inside and outside of the classroom. However, we encourage parents to consider carefully if a 100% online course is ideal for their student given the fact that they will be forfeiting face-to-face teacher classroom instruction and support.
When considering if an online course is right for your student please consider the following:
- Is your student self-motivated and organized?
- Can your student self-advocate to seek help within a virtual setting?
- Does your student have the study habits needed to complete an online course without direct teacher support?
- Does your student have the prerequisite English, math, science, and computer skills to be successful online?
- Does your student have access to broadband internet access and a reliable computer (not provided by the district)?
- If your student takes the course(s) from home, is personal transportation available to transport them to and from school and is supervision available?
- Student grades and credit earned will be listed on the transcript and will count toward the student's G.P.A.
- Students must adhere to the same semester and trimester timelines for course completion as if they were taking a traditional course.
Requests for enrollment in the Section 21f online experience may be denied for one or more of the following reasons:
- The student already earned credits for the course (so the student would be repeating a course).
- The online course would not generate academic credit for the student's transcript.
- Enrollment in the online course is not consistent with the student's graduation requirements or with the student's career interests.
- The student does not have the prerequisite knowledge or skills for the course.
- The student has failed a previous online course in the same subject.
- The online course is of insufficient quality or rigor. If school personnel determines that the online course the student desires is not of sufficient quality or rigor, they must make a reasonable effort to find an alternative online course that meets the school's requirements for quality and rigor.
- The cost of the online course exceeds the pro-rated percentage of the state's minimum foundation allowance for the current fiscal year. Should a parent choose to pay the cost difference in this case, the student may still be enrolled in the course.
- The course enrollment request doesn't occur before the district's deadline. Unless the student is newly enrolled in the district, Section 21f enrollment requests must be made by the established deadline for the particular online program. Some programs require the request be made by the end of the previous academic year.
Parents who wish to enroll their student in any of the online learning options must submit a 
Online Learning Agreement and Virtual Learning Contract to their child's guidance counselor.
Please contact your student's counselor or principal if you have additional questions regarding the Section 21f Online Learning option.
Graduation Alliance
Graduation Alliance is a private company that uses the Michigan Department of Education’s seat time waiver (STW) option to offer online learning to non-traditional students. Students who participate in Graduation Alliance work with an advocate provided by Graduation Alliance but do their coursework entirely online and transfer the credits back to Mason High School. High School students must be referred to Graduation Alliance by their counselor and enrollment must be approved by building administration and the superintendent. Graduation Alliance is only available to high school students. Appropriate referrals include but are not limited to:
- 5th and 6th year seniors.
- Students who have been expelled or long-term suspended.
- Students experiencing long-term medical absences.
- Teen parents or pregnant teens.
- Voluntary Dropouts.
- Students 4 or more credits deficit for graduation.
A completed Online Learning Agreement and an Virtual Learning Contract are required for referral. Students enrolled in Graduation Alliance are expected to complete two courses per month to continue enrollment. Parents can monitor their student's progress through a secure portal. Graduation Alliance students may not participate in Mason High School athletics. Students may participate in Mason High School sponsored extracurricular activities and events with prior administrative approval. Students who have successfully met graduation requirements through Graduation Alliance must have all credit recovery completed by 3:00 p.m. on the Monday prior to commencement in order to participate in Mason High School commencement ceremonies. Student grades will be listed on the transcript and will count toward the student's grade point average. All students who participate in Graduation Alliance, and complete their graduation requirements while enrolled, will receive a Mason High School diploma.
View course descriptions at Graduation Alliance.
Novi Virtual
Mason Public Schools is partnering with Novi Public Schools to offer our K-12 students an online learning option. Novi Virtual provides a robust and engaging education platform for our K-12 students who may need an option that is more flexible than a conventional in-person classroom structure. Their learning structure is ideal for students with extenuating health needs, elite athletes/performers, families who need to travel internationally for an extended timeframe and many others. Instruction is provided mostly synchronously, with students logging into real time, live lessons with a teacher. The daily schedule and rigor is similar to the classes offered at Mason Public Schools. Additionally, students can receive support from literacy and math interventionists and English Language Learner teachers. Grades will be listed on the student transcript and counted towards their GPA.
Appropriate referrals include, but are not limited to:
- Students that want to take regular or advanced classes that MPS does not otherwise offer.
- Students with scheduling conflicts.
- Students that are unable to attend in person due to medical conditions.
A completed Online Learning Agreement and Virtual Learning Contract are required for referral. Students enrolled in Novi Virtual may participate in Mason High School athletics and Mason High School sponsored extracurricular activities and events.
Michigan Virtual
Michigan Virtual courses may be selected by Mason High School students who want to take a course not offered in the current school year’s master schedule. There is a diverse catalog of online courses available including AP, World Language, and core courses. This coursework is for a motivated, college-bound student who can handle classes that are 95% asynchronous in structure. Virtual teachers are available, but mostly by online email and chat features. Students selecting an online course will be assigned a mentor at Mason High School and are required to work on the course(s) selected during the school day in the assigned hour in the student’s schedule. Grades will be listed on the student transcript and counted towards their GPA.
Appropriate referrals include, but are not limited to:
1. Students that want to take regular or advanced classes that MPS does not otherwise offer.
2. Students with scheduling conflicts.
A completed Online Learning Agreement and Virtual Learning Contract are required for referral. Students enrolled in Michigan Virtual may participate in Mason High School athletics and Mason High School sponsored extracurricular activities and events.
