Explorer offers hybrid educational model, which means you will complete most of your learning online through the Pearson platform. You have the option for on-campus Math classes. In-person Bridge to College Math and English classes are available for seniors and are subject to teachers' discretion.
You are logging into Pearson EVERY DAY and keeping current with your expected progress (following the online calendar) and submitting completed work when due.
On Campus
You are expected (and required) to attend and participate in your on campus classes (Advisory, Math, English) every class period. Three consecutive unexcused absences is considered truant.
Weekly Advisory Check-in
At Explorer Academy, Advisory is a mandatory on-campus class that meets for one hour each week, offering students the opportunity to earn academic credit. By attending every session, actively participating, and completing the XELLO requirements, you can earn 0.25 credit per semester. You are required to check in weekly with your advisor to discuss your progress over the past week. These check-ins ensure you stay on track and receive the support needed to succeed in this essential component of your education.
Monthly Check-in
Each month you and your parent will meet with your advisor and look over your progress for the month.
Parent/Guardian contact academic advisor via phone call/email/Parent Square.
Email/Parentsquare your advisor and share where you are with your classes (on track, behind, grades) and your plan for work this week and where you are with your Xello.
Go to your advisory google classroom for advisory slides & complete any action items and mark as done.
Email/Parentsquare any on campus teachers to find out what you missed.
As a parent partner alternative school, Explorer Academy has a unique definition of "attendance".
Students receive most of their instruction at home from parent(s). Parents must maintain accurate records of study time at home.
Elementary students should average at least 5 hours per school day.
Full-time secondary (MS/HS) students should average at least 6 hours per school day.
Students are required to attend on-campus classes and conferences at least five hours each week. Explorer offers a variety of on-campus opportunities. Many secondary students fulfill the requirement by enrolling in one or two courses at SKHS.
Students and parents are required to attend biweekly update conferences with their Consulting Teacher.
Note: The attendance guidelines for Explorer Academy students enrolled in the
Explorer VSP Online School may vary from the above description. See your Consulting Teacher for details.
Explorer Academy is a K-12 school environment. Clothing that interferes with or distracts from educational process, depicts something illegal or presents a danger to other students is not acceptable. Listed below are examples of clothing which interfere with or distract from the educational process, or depict something illegal or lewd, and are unacceptable:
Clothing that reveals undergarments, cleavage, navel, back, or midriff
Clothing that advertise drugs, alcohol, or illegal products
Clothing that promotes gang affiliation
If students wear inappropriate clothing or footwear to school that may be asked to change their clothing, cover up, or may be sent home to return when dress is acceptable. Repeated offences and/or refusal to comply may result in progressive discipline.
*This is in addition to South Kitsap School District’s Rights and Responsibilities Handbook
Skyward Family Access gives you the ability to view your student’s academic progress and attendance, communicate with teachers via secure messaging, request demographic changes electronically, and much more!
Family Access is conveniently accessed over the internet using a secure Login ID assigned to you by the school’s main office.
Areas in Family Access will differ slightly depending on if your student is in elementary, middle, or high school.
Logging in to Family Access
From the Quick Links Menu choose Skyward
When logging in for the first time, use the Login ID provided to you by your student’s school and click “Forgot your Login/Password”to create your password.
Once you have successfully logged in, you will get a page asking for your email address. Click the blue hyperlink that says “Account” to enter an email address. This will allow you to retrieve your password should you forget it in the future and also makes your email address available to your student’s teachers.
More Than One Student
If you have more than one student in the South Kitsap School District, click on the arrow next to All Students (located directly under the Family Access header). You may choose between your students here.
Skyward Family Access Menu
Home –Allows you to view messages posted by the school. If you have unread messages, a link appears that states “You have unread messages” at the top of the Home page.
New Student Pre-Registration – Allows you to enroll a new student in the South Kitsap School District (e.g., a kindergarten sibling)
Annual Verification and Acknowledgement – This tab is available for a short period of time at the beginning of the school year and is used to verify student information and document your acknowledgement and understanding of the SKSD Attendance Policies and your Rights and Responsibilities.
Calendar –Displays upcoming events in chronological order. The calendar is also visible on the far right side of the home tab.
Gradebook – View your student’s current year Gradebook data for all classes.
Attendance – View your student’s tardies and absences here. You may also enter an absence request here.
Student Info – View demographic, family, emergency contact and other student-specific information.
Schedule – View your student’s current and next year schedules.
Activities – View your student’s current year activities (e.g., softball, ASB, etc.)
Educational Milestones – View your student’s assigned and completed Educational Milestones.
Graduation Requirements – View your student’s progress towards meeting Coursework Requirement Areas according to their Graduation Plan.
Report Cards/Attachments – View your student’s report cards and other documents (such as attendance letters)
Skylert – Manage subscriptions to receive General, Emergency, and/or Attendance notifications from the school. Update your phone numbers and email address here.
Health Info – Displays your student’s vaccination records (as provided by you)
Login History – Allows you to view a history of the times you have signed in to Family Access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:What if my information is incorrect?
A: Primary phone numbers, home and work phone numbers, and email addresses can be updated through the Skylert tab. To change or correct any other information, please contact your student’s school.
Q:What if I forget my password?
A: If you forget your password, please click on the ‘Forgot Login/Password’ link on the Skyward Family Access home page. If you did not enter an email address, you will need to go, in person, to the school to retrieve your password.
Q:Should I let my student use my account to see their information?
A: Students have their own access via Skyward Student Access. They are able to access the Student Portal from the district’s website- www.skschools.org
Every student at Explorer Academy has a Chrome book checked out to them once they are accepted and after their initial meeting with their advisor.
Students will need to wait 24-48 hours before they can access and/or log into their Chrome books utilizing their Skyward generated user name and password. It takes the computer system 24 hours after the student has been registered to accept and apply the credentials to the student.
