ROAR Academy
Readiness, Opportunity, Achievement, Responsibility
Whether you’re a traditional student looking to recover credit or get ahead, or a full-time homeschooler, our course options meet a wide range of student needs. We offer educational programs tailored precisely to your needs provided by a school system with exceptional expectations.
Hartselle City Schools is committed to ensuring every student has a path to success, no matter their circumstances. ROAR Academy is our comprehensive support framework designed to meet students where they are and equip them with the learning, leadership, and life skills they need to thrive — reflecting the very heart of our district's mission and vision.
Built around three coordinated programs, ROAR Academy provides a full continuum of support for students whose needs call for something beyond the traditional classroom setting:
Alternative School
A structured, supportive placement for students who need intensive behavioral intervention. This program is grounded in character-based expectations aligned with the ROAR principles, helping students build responsibility and self-discipline while continuing their academic progress.
Virtual Program
A full-time online learning option for high school students who thrive in a digital environment or who need flexibility due to medical needs, family circumstances, or other legitimate reasons. This program allows students to stay on track academically while learning in the setting that works best for them.
Bridge Program
A flexible, wrap-around support option for students navigating mental health challenges, school avoidance, family transitions, or re-entry into the school setting. Through options like half-day attendance, alternating in-person and virtual days, and gradual reintegration schedules, the Bridge Program pairs academic support with regular check-ins, counseling, and family communication — helping students build confidence and skills as they work toward a successful return to their traditional schedule.
Together, these three programs form the ROAR Academy framework — a unified, student-centered approach that ensures no student falls through the cracks. By combining individualized support with high expectations, ROAR Academy embodies Hartselle City Schools' commitment to developing well-rounded learners, leaders, and future citizens equipped for lifelong success.
HCS Virtual Learning Program
We offer blended and fully online learning for secondary level students. Whether you are in need of a course due to local unavailability or scheduling conflict or you need a fully online solution, the HCS Virtual Learning Program can meet your needs. We offer traditional school calendar-based courses or we can work with you to develop an individual learning plan to help you succeed.
Students in unique situations may find this solution helpful. The non-traditional access, allowing parent/guardians and students to develop a schedule that is best for the child, can be a great catalyst to student success.
Participation requires that students have reliable access to a computer and the internet. Students may also need to print materials for coursework. Students must maintain satisfactory progress for attendance purposes. Attendance WILL be taken. Failure to complete assignments per the satisfactory progress agreement could result in a student's withdrawal from the Virtual Program.
While the Alabama State Department of Education requires that Hartselle City Schools have a virtual option in place, there are no state requirements for admission to the virtual program. Placement will be determined by a student's individual situation, transcripts, and administrative recommendation. A team of educators review each application and collectively determine whether a student is a good candidate for virtual school.
Please be sure to communicate if you/your student will have needs for NCAA eligibility. Some offerings may not meet NCAA requirements, but we have other options to meet student needs.
Students should have a 2.5 GPA and the recommendation of an administrator to participate. Student attendance, past academic performance, and behavior will be considered when reviewing student applications.*
For enrollment information, please email your school counselor.
At this time the HCS Virtual Learning Program is for high school students only. Admittance into the virtual program occurs at the beginning of each academic semester.
Please note that virtual school applications are only considered for CURRENT Hartselle City Schools students. If you are interested in the HCS Virtual Learning Program, you must enroll in the appropriate school for you/your student first. There is no guarantee that you/your child will be approved for virtual school enrollment. A committee considers the work ethic of the student, attendance, discipline, and past academic performance of the student when considering virtual placement.
Application: Hartselle City Schools Virtual Learning Program Application – Initial Request
Note: Submission of this application DOES NOT guarantee acceptance into the virtual program.
*Consideration may be given for extenuating circumstances.
ROAR Academy