Georgia Virtual Credit Recovery is an online, self-paced way for Georgia high school students to retake failed courses, close learning gaps, and get back on track for graduation through Georgia Virtual Learning and Georgia Credit Recovery (GaCR). It is especially helpful for students who need to recover required core credits without repeating an entire year-long class in a traditional classroom.
What is Georgia Virtual Credit Recovery?
Georgia Virtual Credit Recovery is part of Georgia Virtual Learning under the Georgia Department of Education and is delivered through the Georgia Credit Recovery (GaCR) platform and Georgia Virtual School (GaVS). It offers online modules for core subjects and selected electives so students can earn credit after previously not passing a course.
Unlike traditional classes, most credit recovery courses are teacher-less or facilitator-managed, meaning students work through digital content and assessments independently while a local school coordinator or facilitator monitors progress. The goal is to let students demonstrate mastery of missed standards instead of sitting through a full course again.
Key Takeaways
- Georgia Virtual Credit Recovery is an online option to retake failed high school courses and earn missed credits.
- Courses are self-paced and aligned to Georgia state standards, focusing on only the standards students did not previously master.
- First-time enrollments are free for Georgia public school students, with modest fees for re-enrollment or private school participation.
- Students must enroll through their school counselor or credit recovery coordinator; direct self-enrollment is not allowed.
- Credit recovery can help students graduate on time, but some options, like GaCR, are not accepted by the NCAA for athletic eligibility.
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How the Program Works
Georgia Virtual Credit Recovery uses unit-based online courses where students first take a pretest at the beginning of each unit. If a student scores high enough on the pretest (for example, at least about 85%), they can skip the unit content and go directly to the post-test; otherwise, they must view all lessons and activities before accessing the post-test.
Students usually have up to 26 weeks to finish a credit recovery course, working at their own pace within that window. All post-tests and final exams, including Georgia Milestones End-of-Course (EOC) tests when required, are proctored in person at the student’s local school or testing site.
Eligibility and Enrollment
Credit recovery is designed for high school students who have previously taken a course and did not earn a passing grade, often within a specific range such as around 50–69 or 60–69 depending on district rules. Students must have completed the original course’s seat-time requirements; the program focuses on recovering standards, not fulfilling attendance.
To enroll, students contact their school counselor, graduation coach, or designated credit recovery coordinator, who then registers them in the appropriate Georgia Virtual Credit Recovery course. Many districts limit students to one credit recovery class at a time, unless there are special circumstances approved by the counselor or coordinator.
Costs and Fees
For Georgia public high school students, first-time enrollment in Georgia Credit Recovery courses is free when their school participates in the program. If a public school student needs to re-enroll in the same GaCR course, a re-enrollment fee of about $25 is typically charged, although this fee can be waived if the student withdraws within a few school days of enrollment.
Private school students can also use Georgia Credit Recovery, but they pay tuition per half-credit, commonly around $100 for each half-credit course and the same amount for re-enrollments. Some districts also offer separate online credit recovery options or summer school programs that may have additional local fees.
Benefits for Students and Schools
Because courses are self-paced and available online, students can work on credit recovery during the school day, after school, or in summer sessions depending on local arrangements. This flexibility makes it easier for students to balance credit recovery with other classes, jobs, or family responsibilities.
Georgia Virtual Credit Recovery also helps schools keep more students on track for on-time graduation by offering a structured way to recover core credits without overloading traditional classrooms. Research on virtual credit recovery notes that online formats can support self-paced review, repeated practice, and targeted focus on weak areas when students stay disciplined and receive school support.
Important Program Limitations
One key limitation is that some Georgia Virtual Credit Recovery options, including certain GaCR offerings, are not accepted by the NCAA for student-athlete eligibility. Students who plan to play college sports should discuss this with their counselor before enrolling.
Additionally, enrolling in credit recovery does not guarantee a passing grade; students still must meet course requirements and earn at least the minimum passing score (often 70% or higher) on the course and any required EOC exams. Failure to complete the course or meet all program rules may require students to pursue other options such as summer school or retaking the class for full credit.
Step-by-Step Enrollment Process
Students generally follow a simple sequence to start Georgia Virtual Credit Recovery:
- Meet with the school counselor or graduation coach to confirm eligibility based on previous course grades and graduation requirements.
- Choose the specific course(s) to recover, focusing first on required core subjects needed for graduation.
- Have the counselor or credit recovery coordinator complete the official online registration through the Georgia Virtual Learning or GaCR system.
- Log in to the credit recovery platform within the required timeframe (often within 10 days of enrollment) and begin the first unit pretest.
- Work through the content, complete post-tests, and schedule any required proctored final exam or Georgia Milestones EOC with the school’s testing coordinator.
Press-release style overview
Georgia schools now have a powerful tool to keep more students on the path to graduation: Georgia Virtual Credit Recovery, delivered through Georgia Virtual Learning and the Georgia Credit Recovery Program (GaCR). The online platform gives students who did not pass a high school course a second chance to earn credit by mastering only the standards they previously missed, rather than repeating an entire class.
Through self-paced, web-based modules aligned with Georgia standards, students use pretests, targeted lessons, and post-tests to show mastery while working around busy schedules and personal commitments. Participating Georgia public high schools receive first-time enrollments at no cost, lowering financial barriers and helping districts offer more flexible pathways to on-time graduation.
FAQs
Who can use Georgia Virtual Credit Recovery?
Georgia Virtual Credit Recovery is generally available to Georgia high school students who have already taken a course and did not earn a passing grade, as long as their school participates and approves enrollment.
How much does it cost?
For Georgia public school students, the first attempt at a GaCR course is free, but re-enrollment in the same course usually costs about $25, while private school students typically pay per half-credit enrollment.
Is the program self-paced?
Yes, credit recovery courses are self-paced within a defined window—often up to 26 weeks—allowing students to progress as quickly or slowly as needed while meeting all course deadlines.
How do students sign up?
Students cannot sign up on their own; they must contact their school counselor, graduation coach, or credit recovery coordinator, who will verify eligibility and complete the online registration.
Does Georgia Virtual Credit Recovery count for NCAA eligibility?
Some Georgia Virtual Credit Recovery options, including GaCR offerings used by certain districts, are not accepted by the NCAA, so student-athletes should confirm NCAA approval with their counselor before enrolling
