eSchool - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Courses and Health

Are Plano ISD eSchool courses accredited?
Yes, the courses offered through eSchool are accredited through Plano ISD. Credit will be granted through Plano East Senior High School in accordance with district policies.

Can I attend Plano ISD eSchool and my regular high school at the same time?
Yes, eSchool is designed for students currently enrolled in a school within Plano ISD or outside of Plano ISD, as well as, students being in home schooled.

If you are currently enrolled in school and intend to take an eSchool course for graduation credit, we please contact your school counselor to receive official approval to ensure proper recording of eSchool courses on your transcript.

What Courses are available?
Plano ISD eSchool offers a multitude of courses. Courses Available

How many eSchool courses can I take at one time?
Students currently enrolled in Plano ISD will be allowed to take two eSchool courses at one time, and may earn a total of three credits through correspondence/Plano ISD eSchool courses.

We encourage you to balance your eSchool course load with your current schedule. If you are a full time student, you should consult with your school counselor to design a plan that best fits your schedule and graduation plan.

Please Note:
Students may enroll in no more than two eSchool courses at one time. If a student needs both semesters of a 2 semester course, he/she may register for and complete the first semester before registering to take the second semester in that same course.

Are eSchool courses used in computing class rankings?
No, for Plano ISD students, grades earned in eSchool courses are not used in computing class rankings. eSchool courses have a neutral impact on a student’s GPA and class rankings. Students that do not attend a Plano ISD school would need to check their district's policy regarding online courses.

Will eSchool credit transfer to another district?
eSchool course credit is awarded through Plano ISD and is completely transferable within the United States and internationally. If you are currently enrolled in school and intend to take an eSchool course for graduation credit, we recommend that you contact your school counselor to receive official approval and to ensure proper recording of eSchool courses on your transcript.

I live outside Plano ISD, may I take an eSchool course?
Absolutely! All students in grades 9-12 are welcome to take eSchool courses. eSchool has provided excellence in online learning to students across the United States and internationally, with students living in Singapore, Tanzania, and Saudi Arabia among others.

My child will not be a 9th grade student until school ends for the summer. When would he be eligible to take a Plano ISD eschool course?
Great question! Students that successfully pass 8th grade at the end of the school year are eligible to take eSchool courses in the summer. This is something that needs to be discussed with the middle school counselor for approval prior to the end of the school year.

Cost and Time

What it the cost of tuition?
Tuition for an eSchool course ranges from $240.00-$310.00 per semester (.5 credits). Some courses may require the purchase of additional materials not included in the tuition fee.

What is the eSchool refund policy?
Within 15 days of the online registration, students may cancel enrollment and receive a reimbursement of tuition, as per the enrollment agreement. A fee of $50.00 will be retained for administrative expenses. If a student is dropped from an eSchool course for not communicating with his/her teacher and adhering to the schedule for completing and turning in assignments, tuition will not be reimbursed.

When does the course start?
Registration for eSchool courses is ongoing. Therefore, each student’s start date is unique. The course will officially start when the eSchool office sends you your welcome letter via email. This email will contain all the information you need to begin working on your course. Please contact the eSchool office at 469-752-8894 if it has been over one week and you have not received any correspondence.

How long does it take to complete a course?
Plano ISD eSchool courses are designed to be completed in a minimum of 6 weeks and a maximum of 18 weeks. The course will be set up to reflect the maximum amount of time allowed to complete an online course, and may not be applicable to you. If you need or want to complete a course in 6 weeks or somewhere in-between 6 and 18 weeks, you need to discuss this with your teacher for the course you are taking online.

I want to take an eSchool course in the summer. When should I register?
You should register no more than two weeks before you wish to start your course. The eSchool office does not hold registrations and will process registrations as they come through the office. eSchool does not guarantee a two week delay in the start date. Most registrations are processed within five business days from registering for a course. Once you are assigned to a course and email notifications are sent out, you are expected to begin working on the course.

Just For Parents

I would like to monitor my students progress, is there a way I can do that?
Absolutely!

• Log onto the course website at: [courses.pisd.edu] (http://courses.pisd.edu)
  
• Enter your student’s username and password. Passwords are case sensitive.
  
• Click on the name of the course listed in the upper right of the screen.
  
• Click on the Tools button on the left of the screen.
  
• Click on the Grades button in the middle of the screen.
  

If my student is graduating in May, when is the last possible date that he/ she can complete his course and still graduate?
To monitor dates and deadlines click on the eSchool website links to News or the eSchool Calendar. It is also, the students responsibility to discuss their course completion date with their eSchool teacher.

I am not comfortable using my credit card online. Is there another way I can pay for an eSchool course?
Yes, in the registration application, you can select Money Order or Cashiers’ Check, and our office will send you an invoice. Payment is due within 30 days.

I can't afford to pay for the course all at once, is there assistance available to help me pay for it?
eSchool does not have funds for scholarships or grants.

Can I pay for a course in installments?
We do not have the ability to take installment payments. The course must be paid for in one payment. Please call the eSchool office at 469-752-8894 to discuss how we might be able to work with you to get your student in the course.

Where can I purchase the textbook that my student will need for the course?
Ordering the course textbook . . .
If a textbook is required for a course, it is the student’s responsibility to acquire the book. To be sure that you order and receive the correct textbook, please order it by using the ISBN rather than the title. There can be many editions of a book with the same title; however, the ISBN is unique to one specific edition of a book. Therefore, it is essential to use the ISBN as you order the textbook.

Using the ISBN, you may order the textbook by . . .
You may want to check several book resellers such as Amazon.com, Half Price Books, or simply put in the ISBN number in the search field to pull up a listing of where textbooks are available.

Another alternative is...

• Calling the toll free number of the publisher that is listed with the course registration.
  
• Clicking the graphic below to go to the virtual bookstore to order your textbook from MBS Direct. At the completion of your course, MBS offers all students the opportunity to sell their books back for a portion of the cost.
  
• Browsing for used textbooks online, remembering to search by the ISBN.
  

Please note that it would be very unusual to find the textbook you need in your local bookstore.

Can I come into the eSchool office and register my student for an eSchool course?
All eSchool registrations must be completed online. To register, go to planoisdeschool.net