A Student’s Guide to Getting Started with Online School
by Valerie Kirk
School is so much more than academics. The student’s experience at school plays a significant role in their success and overall well-being. Negative experiences, such as bullying, not feeling challenged enough, or falling behind with no path to catch up, leads to student’s who tune out and disengage from school, hurting them academically and leading to mental health issues, including depression and anxiety. It’s estimated that over 15% of students miss one or more days of school due to bullying.
When it comes to school, experience really does matter!
That’s why choosing where to go to school is one of the most important decisions you can make as a student. That’s right—we said choosing!
If you’re a student who is unhappy with your current school experience, you have choices. Whether you attend a brick-and-mortar school or you’re homeschooled, choosing to enroll in online school can be life changing.
The online learning experience is flexible and puts you and your family in the driver’s seat of your education. You have more control over when and where you learn as well as the pace at which you complete your lessons. You can also build strong relationships with your teachers, who can provide more one-on-one support to help you gain a deeper understanding of the subject and extend learning on subjects you show an interest in.
If you are thinking about a new school experience and are looking for online learning insights to help you and your family make the decision, Connections Academy® has developed a guide on how you can get started with online school and the experience of online learning.
What Is Online School?
First, let’s start with what online school is. Virtual schools like Connections Academy offer accredited curriculum for K–12 students that align with state and national standards. You are required to take core courses in language arts, math, social studies, and science. Connections Academy offers honors, Advanced Placement®*, NCAA eligible, and credit-recovery courses in these subjects. You are also required to take state-mandated tests to achieve your diploma. In online school, you can choose from a wide variety of electives to explore new interests.
You can connect with other students and your teacher through interactive virtual classroom experiences in weekly live classes, and this online classroom experience is a great opportunity to meet your peers and ask questions about the subject.
“Washington Connections Academy offers me a great online school with amazing flexibility that allows me to keep up with my courses while training for tennis,” said student Juan M. “I have attended regular school all of my life until sophomore year of high school. Connections Academy is less time-consuming, and way more flexible. The program works perfect for me.”
The Benefits of Online School
Online school offers you a different learning experience than brick-and-mortar schools and homeschool, including:
Flexible School Schedules
There is no daily bell schedule in online school! That means you don’t have to run to the bus stop, rush through the hallways to make it to your next class, or quickly eat your lunch during a short, specified lunch hour. The experiences of a student learning at home are completely different with no set daily schedule. You can complete your lessons at a time and location that works best for you, allowing you to pursue your passions, including training for elite sports competitions, volunteering, or even starting your own business.
“I was interested in joining Texas Connections Academy Houston in fifth grade because of the flexibility it offered. The program works best for me because I can work ahead and take Fridays off to concentrate on my small business, Fluffy Love, where I deliver stuffed animals to the hospital,” said student Gemma W.
Dedicated Teachers
Online high schools have dedicated teachers who are specially trained to teach online. They know how to keep you engaged with learning. They also work closely with you and your family to create a personalized learning plan that fits your unique needs.
“My relationships with my teachers were really good—way better than at my previous school. They were all nice and helpful, and they wanted me to succeed,” said Claudia W., graduate of Indiana Connections Career Academy.
Social Experiences
Yes, you can socialize in online school! One of the biggest myths of online school is that students don’t have the opportunity to interact with other students, which simply is not true. The experience in online learning includes in-person field trips where you can connect with your classmates and teachers. You also interact with other students in the live virtual classroom experience. Connections Academy offers several virtual extracurricular clubs, where you can meet with other students from around the country that have similar interests to you.
With online school’s flexible scheduling, you can also participate in more activities outside of school, where you can meet with friends.
“Studying at Maine Connections Academy meant that I could pursue my passion in music, hold a part-time job, and maintain an active and busy lifestyle,” said graduate Serena G. “Most people equate schooling at home with being unsocialized, but there are many opportunities to make friends.”
Getting Started in Online School – A Checklist
Do you think online school is right for you? Here are six steps to help you get started:
1. Talk to Your Family
Online school is a commitment—both for you and your family. To ensure you find success, everyone in the family should support the decision and agree to do their part. You need to commit to taking responsibility for your learning in the more independent environment you will experience in online learning. Your parents should commit to supporting you, serving as your Learning Coach, and working through any family scheduling issues.
2. Choose the Right School.
Do your homework to be sure you’re choosing a high-quality virtual school—one that is accredited and offers a wide range of courses and a proven curriculum developed by professional educators. Be sure to also choose a school that employs professional and certified/licensed teachers and school counselors.
Also decide whether you want an online public or private school. Public online schools like Connections Academy are tuition-free. Tuition costs at online private schools can vary greatly.
3. Complete the Enrollment Checklist
Enrolling in online school isn’t hard, but it does take time. Work with your parents to gather the necessary documents and follow the enrollment checklist provided by the school to ensure you meet the enrollment deadlines.
4. Prepare Your Learning Space
Even though every day is a little different in online school, you will spend an average of 4–6 hours each school day completing lessons and attending virtual classes. It’s important to design a learning space that is not only comfortable, but inspires you and helps you stay focused. Your online school space is uniquely yours! Get creative and make it fun, even if you don’t have a lot of space.
5. Build Your Daily Schedule
While online school offers some flexibility in scheduling your day, it’s good to establish a routine to support learning and ensure you don’t fall behind. Check your class schedule and know when you will have live virtual classroom experiences. Be sure to build in time for breaks and to pursue your hobbies or interests.
6. Join Extracurricular Activities
Whether you love to code, write, or play chess, Connections Academy has an online extracurricular club to help you explore your passion while connecting with like-minded students. Spend some time learning about the different clubs available to you and build the club schedule into your weekly or monthly school schedule.
Following our checklist will help you prepare for the first day of your new online learning experience!
Want to Learn More About Online School?
If you are interested in learning more about online school, find a Connections Academy school near you and request an information packet to get started. Talk to your parents, and attend a Connections Academy information session.
*AP® and Advanced Placement® are registered trademarks of the College Board. Used with permission.
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