In December 2020, Fulton County Schools announced it is proposing a full-time, online school to add to the district’s portfolio of diverse educational opportunities.

The COVID-19 pandemic has proven the success that students can achieve from remote learning due to its “anywhere/anytime” approach. Additionally, many families have indicated they want a permanent option for continuing their children’s education with this instructional model.

When it launches in Fall 2021, the Full-Time Online School (official name to be determined) will allow students in grades 3-11 to attend classes in a more flexible format outside of the traditional 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., face-to-face school day. Instruction will include a blend of live, online lessons (synchronous) and self-directed lessons (asynchronous) from Fulton County teachers. The main difference between the Full-Time Online School and the online course offerings already provided is that students would enroll as full-time members of the online school's unique student body instead of continuing at their current school.

Teachers and students will work remotely, and to be most successful, students need a special skillset for managing their time and schoolwork in an online environment. Parents and caregivers of elementary students will need to be active in helping their students develop the autonomy and skills for self-guided learning.

The Full-Time Online School will offer many of the same virtual classes already available to students – just without a physical building. The initial courses provided will meet graduation requirements for any student, and over time, the class offerings will grow and evolve. Enrollment is not available to 12th graders during the virtual school’s inaugural year; instead, seniors can use the virtual class offerings available through their currently enrolled school.