Online Educational Opportunities

Columbia Public Schools offers a robust set of coursework offered asynchronously online.  CPS Online courses are taught by CPS teachers and adhere to CPS district policies. These online courses are designed for students who are self-motivated and can work independently.  In an online course, students take the entire course online as opposed to a face-to-face classroom environment.  Courses are not taught using Zoom; rather they are self-paced.

For secondary students, enrollment in CPS Online courses takes place at the same time as enrollment in other CPS courses.  Individual CPS Online courses may only be added or dropped during in-seat enrollment timelines.  Students should enroll in CPS Online courses the same way they enroll for regular CPS courses, i.e., with their counselors during the regular enrollment window. Please note that if your child has an IEP, the IEP team must approve the request prior to enrollment in a CPS Online course.

For parents interested in a full-time synchronous online option (offering live Zoom classes), Columbia Public Schools has partnered with online provider LAUNCH. Students enrolled in the LAUNCH program remain CPS students.

For elementary students, the program features the following:

• Live daily Zoom instruction in reading, writing, and math (plus a daily integrated science, social studies, and health lesson)
• Weekly physical education, music, and art lessons
• Full-time teacher support that follows Missouri’s recommended class size
• Social-emotional and counseling lessons provided by a certified school counselor

For secondary students, the program features synchronous (featuring live Zoom sessions) classes in the four core subject areas of English, math, science, and social studies. Middle school and high school students taking synchronous core classes fill out their schedules with asynchronous elective courses.

Please note that if your child has an IEP, the IEP team must approve the request before enrollment in  LAUNCH.

For secondary students desiring a virtual option where a CPSO course is not available, an equivalent course might be available through MOCAP.  Enrollment in individual MOCAP courses takes place the same time as enrollment in other CPS courses. Individual MOCAP courses may only be added or dropped during in-seat enrollment timelines. Students should enroll in MOCAP courses the same way they enroll for regular CPS courses, i.e., with their counselors. Course options can be found on the MOCAP web site.

These online courses are asynchronous, designed for students who are self-motivated and can work independently. In an online course, students take the entire course online as opposed to a face-to-face classroom environment. Courses are not taught using Zoom; rather they are self-paced.  Please note that if your child has an IEP, the IEP team must approve the request prior to enrollment in an online course.

Parents interested in enrolling their child in a full-time MOCAP program should visit www.mocap.mo.gov for a list of providers. Please note that students participating in a full-time MOCAP program will be required to enroll in the virtual program's host district and will be unenrolled from the Columbia Public Schools.

Any request to enroll in an online course that is denied by Columbia Public Schools can be appealed. Information about the appeals process will be sent to parents along with notification of the denial. For more information about the appeals process, please contact Elizabeth McCracken, Executive Director of Curriculum & Instruction, who can be reached via email at emccracken@cpsk12.org or by phone 573-214-3932.