Middle School
California Online Public Schools offers a flexible and engaging middle school experience that empowers students to build strong academic foundations while developing the confidence, independence, and curiosity needed for lifelong learning. Through an interactive online environment, our educators provide personalized support that helps students master essential skills, explore new interests, and prepare for future success in high school and beyond.
Why Choose CalOPS?
California Online Public Schools (CalOPS) empowers middle school students with a flexible, personalized learning experience designed to support academic success and future goals.
Roles and Expectations
For California Online Public Schools students in grades 6–8, parents play an active role in helping their children build strong learning habits, develop independence, and gain the confidence needed for success in high school and beyond. You should expect to:
Students are expected to actively participate in their learning journey. Here's what students should expect:
Academics
Student Life
*Recommended Minimum
**Recommended Average
| Role | Hours per Day* | Hours per Week** |
|---|---|---|
| Student | 4-6 | 20-30 |
| Parent | 2-3 | 10-15 |
Middle School students have access to daily teacher-led LiveClasses that reinforce course concepts, provide academic support, and encourage engagement while building independence.
Teacher Engagement & Support
- Biweekly 1:1 Zoom check-ins with the Homeroom Teacher
- Weekly Homeroom Hub LiveClass sessions
- LiveClass sessions for each course with direct instruction
- Individual appointments with course teachers for academic support
Middle School LiveClass Schedule
- Daily LiveClass opportunities
- 45–60 minute sessions
- Held between 8:30 a.m. and 2:45 p.m.
- 8:30 am - 9:30 am
- Begin course work for the day
- 9:30 am - 10:15 am
- LiveClass
- 10:15 am - 10:30 am
- Break/ snack
- 10:30 - 12:15pm
- Course work
- 12:15 - 1:00pm
- Lunch
- 1:00 pm - 1:45 pm
- LiveClass
- 1:45 - 2:00pm
- Break
- 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
- Finish and submit course work
California Online Public School teachers focus on creating an engaging approach to education, designed to interest young learners and encourage active participation in their learning journey.
Middle school students have plenty of opportunities to connect, collaborate, and build friendships through clubs, Homeroom Hub, Honor Roll celebrations, Poetry Slams, eSports, Academic Pentathlon, National Junior Honor Society, Math Foundations, and in-person and virtual field trips. These activities foster creativity, leadership, teamwork, and school spirit while creating a supportive community where students can learn, grow, and have fun together.
Gifted & Advanced Learning Opportunities
At California Online Public Schools, middle school students have access to advanced academic programs that encourage growth, challenge, and future success. Through AVID and Gifted and Talented Education (GATE), students can strengthen critical thinking, organization, and leadership skills while participating in enriched coursework designed to prepare them for high school, college, and beyond.
What is AVID?
AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) empowers middle school students with the skills, strategies, and mindset needed for academic success. Through focused instruction in organization, critical thinking, collaboration, and writing, AVID helps students build a strong foundation for high school and beyond. It fosters a college- and career-ready culture while supporting students in becoming confident, independent learners.
Benefits to students:
AVID helps middle school students build the skills they need to succeed in school and prepare for the future. It teaches organization, time management, note-taking, and study strategies, while also encouraging critical thinking and teamwork. Students gain confidence in their abilities, set academic goals, and learn how to advocate for themselves. AVID creates a supportive environment that helps students stay on track for high school, college, and careers.
How to participate:
What is GATE?
A gifted and talented program is an educational program designed to meet the unique needs of students who have been identified as gifted or talented. These programs offer high quality differentiated instruction, and advanced learning opportunities to meet the needs of gifted learners including those from diverse racial, socio-economic, linguistic, and cultural backgrounds.
How to participate:
Students are typically identified prior to middle school, yet if they are in need of increased rigor, a strong past academic history will be taken into consideration, as well as teacher recommendations.
GATE courses offered:
- GT Language Arts 6, 7, 8 (Junior Great Books)
- GT Science 6, 7, 8,
- Advanced Math Courses: Pre-Algebra, HS Algebra 1, HS Geometry
Benefits to students: Enrichment and acceleration, critical thinking, personalized learning, high school credit opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you offer summer school?
No, California Online Public Schools does not offer summer school at this time. However, we provide support and resources throughout the school year to help students stay on track and succeed academically.
What electives can middle school students take?
Middle school students can take electives such as Art and Health. Spanish may also be available for eligible students upon review and approval.
What leadership group opportunities are available?
Academic & Leadership Groups:
- AVID
- NJHS
- Academic Pentathlon
- Homeroom Hub
What In-Person Events are available?
Students have opportunities to participate in a variety of in-person events throughout the school year, including field trips, college tours, and festivals.
What Social Events are available?
Social Events:
- Social Meet ups
- Culture Cafe (EL)
- Poetry Slam
- E-Sports
- College Tours
- Field Trips
- Virtual Field Trips
Can my student repeat 8th grade in your school? They are not ready for high school
Yes! Our students are accepted into the most prestigious universities. We offer over 100 UC/CSU a-g courses as well as NCAA. Some of the schools our students have been accepted to are Harvard, Columbia, Brown, Cornell, United States Military Academy West Point, United States Air Force Academy, all USC and CalState schools, Stanford University, Baylor University, Brigham Young University, Berklee College of Music, New York University, University of Notre Dame, Georgia Tech and many more.
When do LiveClass sessions take place?
For the 2025/2026 school year, all LiveClasses for content courses (Social Studies, English, Math, and Science) take place from 10:00-11:00 AM PST. LiveClasses for Elective take place on Fridays between 9:00 AM PST and 1:30 PM PST.
Are there in-person celebrations for High School milestones like Prom and Graduation?
Absolutely! Juniors and seniors are invited to our in-person prom (in Southern California), and seniors can take part in memorable end of year events like Grad Night (in Southern California) and our in-person commencement ceremonies (in both Northern California and Southern California).
What are the age eligibility requirements for enrolling in California Online Public Schools?
Any student who turns nineteen (19) years old on or before the first day of school and has a break in public school enrollment will not be eligible to enroll in California Online Public Schools. The maximum age for general education students with continuous enrollment is twenty (20) years old. The maximum age for special education students with continuous enrollment is twenty-two (22) years old.
Meet Our Team
“Our school community is committed to helping every student feel supported, valued, and empowered to succeed.”
“I love working at CalOPS because our middle school students are supported not only academically, but socially and emotionally as they grow into confident and independent learners.”
“One of my favorite things about CalOPS is the opportunity to partner closely with families in supporting students’ education. This strong collaboration with households allows us to create a nurturing learning community tailored to each student’s individual needs.”
“What I love most about CalOPS is the ability to meet students where they are, partner with highly creative professionals, and collaborate in meaningful ways to support what’s best for students.”
Community & Resources
Whether you live in one of California’s small towns or big cities, your local community is a part of who you are. And that makes it a part of who we are too. To help you support your student’s success, we offer plenty of resources or support, including:
- Easy ways to connect with teachers and our staff whenever you have questions or need additional support
- Technical support from California Online Public Schools representatives to help troubleshoot computer-related issues
- A parent network where you can connect with other parents to share tips and advice
Get Started Here
Find Out Why Families Choose CalOPS
“My son thrives at CalOPS, earning High Honor Roll! CalOPS is one of the top tuition-free schools, fostering his success. Thank you for contributing to his academic achievement!”
– PARENT OF STUDENT IN ALAMEDA COUNTY
“My son thrives at CalOPS, earning High Honor Roll! CalOPS is one of the top tuition-free schools, fostering his success. Thank you for contributing to his academic achievement!”
– PARENT OF STUDENT IN ALAMEDA COUNTY
