Innovation Academy

Application window for the Fall 2026 Semester now open.  Space is limited!

 

The Fall semester application window opens on March 1^st and closes on August 5^th. 

Applications for Spring semester will open on November 1^st and will close on January 2^nd. 

Scroll down for link to application

Prospective ACOLA Student and Parent/Guardian(s)

The Anderson County Innovation Academy (ACIA) has a rigorous selection process for potential ACOLA (Anderson County Online Learning Academy) students.  Online learning is not for all students and the selection process aids us in identifying which students will most likely be successful in ACOLA.  Applicants must be passing all courses, maintaining acceptable attendance, and be free of major behavioral issues.  Below are the steps needed to be accepted into the ACOLA program.

Call or email Josh Anderson (janderson@acs.ac) or Jeff Harshbarger (jharshbarger@acs.ac) 865-463-4760 for more information. 

Click here to watch a short video about the application process.  (created by Notebook LM)

1. Submit a complete  on-line ACIA/Acola Application. 
2. The ACIA School Counselor will review your application, transcript and other data such as attendance and behavior to determine if…
   1. your grades are acceptable enough to be considered.
   2. we offer the courses you need to graduate.  
   3. your attendance and behavior is acceptable.
   4. If the ACIA Counselor accepts your transcript, go to #3, if not go to #6
3. The ACIA Secretary will:
   1. Email instructions for an Edmentum™ Try-It-Out to both the student and parent or guardian for the student to complete.  
   2. Create an Edmentum™ account for the student and enroll them in the appropriate Try-It-Out course. 
      1. The Try-it-Out is actual lessons from 3 Edmentum™ courses that prospective students are expected to complete at home.  
      2. Students completing the Try-It-Out must complete handwritten Guided Notes.  Copies of notes will be emailed to the student to print OR printed copies can be picked up in the BRAC room on the ACHS campus.  Contact Kim Greene (865-300-0659 or kgreene@acs.ac)
      3. Students should plan for about 2hours to compete the Try-it-Out.  
   3.  If the student is successful during the trial, go to #4, if unsuccessful or student feels the program is not for them, go to #6
4. The ACIA Secretary will schedule a family interview with the ACIA counselor and principal.  Prospective students must bring their completed, handwritten notes from all 3 Try-it-Out courses to the interview.  Here are some of the items to be discussed in the interview:
   1. Student academic history (how you got to the point where online learning is desirable)
   2. Student’s knowledge of Acola learned so far through the application process.
   3. Student’s opinion of Edmentum™ and the notetaking process.
   4. Student performance on in the Try-it-Out including note taking.  
   5. Student and family support for online learning
   6. Rules and expectations of the Acola Program
   7. Based on interview results, go to #5 (student accepted) or #6 (application denied).
5. CONGRATULATIONS - You are ready to enroll in the Acola Program.
6. Your application has been denied and a reason(s) will be given by the ACIA Principal.

Click here to apply for a spot in ACOLA. 

Space is limited!

Applications for the Fall 2026 semester will open on March 1^st.

The Anderson County Online Learning Academy is available for students who live in Anderson County and in the following surrounding counties: Campbell, Knox, Morgan, Roane, Scott, and Union.

All students who reside in surrounding counties must submit a Transfer/OOZ application, which can be found here.

Students who reside outside of Anderson County must be approved via transfer request before completeing an ACOLA  Application.

Contact ACIA Principal Jeff Harshbarger at 865-463-4760 or jharshbarger@acs.ac for more information.