How Clubs and Extracurricular Activities Help Virtual School Students Socialize

September 19, 2025 byConnections Academy

5 min to read

Teen student working on school at laptop

Parents who are new to online school or are considering enrolling a child in one are sometimes concerned their student may miss out on the social experiences of an in-person classroom.

Good news: Many virtual schools offer a wide variety of online clubs and other extracurricular activities for students, plus in-person events and activities to help students connect and socialize with their peers.

How Can Online School Students Socialize?

Online schools know that socialization is vital to a student’s growth and emotional development. So, schools like Connections Academy® offer many opportunities for students to socialize and build relationships. 

Virtual live classes offer real-time interaction between teachers and students in online classrooms. In addition to class, teachers, students, and families can also meet and get to know each other on field trips and other special, in-person events.

Connections Academy schools also offer a wide variety of virtual clubs and extracurricular activities for students in every grade. These clubs help students explore their interests while connecting with others and making meaningful friends.

Online PreK-–12 extracurricular activities and clubs also offer students the opportunity to have fun while learning valuable skills, including leadership, collaboration, and communication. These skills will help enrich their lives in school and help them find success after school. Plus, they may discover a new hobby.

What Are the Benefits of Virtual Clubs for Students?

Virtual clubs and activities are not just enjoyable for students; they can play a significant role in developing a broad range of valuable skills and academic work habits.

An online student participating in a virtual club.

Social Benefits

In addition to being fun, virtual clubs for students offer the needed socialization opportunities some parents are concerned their child would miss outside of a brick-and-mortar school. These activities help students by providing an avenue for pursuing their passions and exploring new things. Students participating in virtual Clubs & Activities actually get the opportunity to interact with a wider network of peers than they would be able to in a traditional classroom setting, due to the global reach of the virtual schools.

Academic Benefits

Virtual clubs and activities can also have a positive effect on student achievement. A study by the National Federation of State High School Associations showed that students involved in extracurricular activities perform better academically and develop skills and work habits that can pay off later in life.

Life Skills Development

Online students collaborate, compete, exchange ideas, and learn teamwork and leadership skills—all while enjoying friendly social interaction with peers who share their common interests.  

What’s more, online clubs for elementary students and higher grades contribute to a well-rounded learning experience and help nurture initiative, integrity, imagination, self-knowledge, and interpersonal skills.

A student participating in an online club to learn a new language.

Types of Virtual Clubs and Extracurricular Activities Available

Many online schools offer the same clubs and activities found in brick-and-mortar schools, including:

Science or STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Cubs

Esports Teams

Chess Club

Art Club

Gaming and Technology Club

Writing Club

Debate Club

Drama and Performance Club

Travel Club

Movement Club

Leadership Club

Kindness Club (promotes thoughtful, positive interactions)

Quiz Bowl

Check with your student's virtual school to learn more about the clubs available to each grade level.

Starting a New Club

If hobbies or activities that interest your student aren’t available at your online school, your student can talk to their teacher about starting a new club—just like they would at a traditional brick-and-mortar school.

What Is an Online School Club Like?

An online school club is like an in-person club, but meetings are held virtually via video chat. In online school clubs, students interact with peers who share similar interests in live, online discussions, just as they would in person.

One bonus of virtual clubs is that students can attend from a variety of places, bringing diverse experiences and new perspectives to the gatherings.

The Global Clubs & Activities at Pearson Virtual Schools also have an asynchronous component meaning if students have a conflict -they don't miss out. They can review recordings of live sessions, interact on their own time in the Message Boards, and review optional club content.

Choosing the Right Activities for Your Child

Which online clubs should your child join? The answer depends largely on what they’re interested in doing. Parents should think about what their student enjoys and subjects they find engaging. You should also talk with your student about various options, then mutually agree on which clubs and extracurricular activities to join.

Questions to Ask Your Child

Here are questions to consider asking when your child wants to join an online club:

What are you interested in doing with your free time?

Which subjects do you enjoy or want to explore?

Which clubs and activities would you be happy participating in?

You may be surprised by your child’s answers.

Signs that an Activity is a Good Fit for your Child

You can know if a club is a good fit if your child talks about the club, looks forward to attending, and never misses a meeting.

When to Try Something New vs. Stick with Interests

While students often join a club because it aligns with their interests or because their friends are members, let your student know it’s perfectly okay to explore something new even if it is something they’ve never tried before.

Making Time for Clubs Without Overwhelming Your Student

Before committing to an online club, review your student’s schedule to make sure they have time for an extracurricular activity, especially for high school students, since they may be balancing part-time jobs, volunteer opportunities, or internships as well as school.

Ready to Embrace Online School?

Online school can provide many of the same if not more opportunities as in-person schools when it comes to socialization, including clubs. Download our free eGuide to learn more about what online school has to offer.