A Parent's Guide to Getting Started with Online School
by Valerie Kirk
6 min to read
Making the choice to enroll in online school can be life changing, and the number of parents making that choice is skyrocketing. According to the Digital Learning Collaborative, which recently released their online learning statistics 2022 report, the number of students enrolled in K–12 online schools in the 2018–2019 school year was 375,000. That number jumped 75% in the 2020–2021 school year to 656,000 students. It’s expected that when the enrollment numbers are out for the 2021–2022 school year, that number will have climbed even higher.
Parents choose online school for a variety of reasons, but most online school families have one thing in common—they are looking for a meaningful school experience that helps their child learn and grow in a safe environment and in a way that works best for them.
If you are thinking about online school and looking for online education resources for parents to help make the decision, Connections Academy® has developed a guide on how to get started with online school and how parents can help with 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. Students are required to take core courses in language arts, math, social studies, and science. Connections Academy offers honors, Advanced Placement® (AP®*), credit recovery courses, electives, and are NCAA eligible. Students are also required to take state-mandated tests to earn their diploma. Online school students complete lessons at their own pace, working ahead on subjects that come easily, and spending more time on lessons they find challenging. Students can attend live classes with their teachers, where they can engage with other students.
“We were looking for an alternative to my son’s education because traditional brick-and-mortar schooling was not working well for his learning style or for his well-being,” said Paige, a parent and Learning Coach at Alabama Connections Academy. “Since joining Connections Academy, his self-esteem and confidence have grown immensely.”
The Benefits of Online School
Unlike brick-and-mortar public schools that provided often cobbled together resources for parents during distanced learning over the 2020–2021 school year, online schools like Connections Academy offer families unique opportunities, prompting many parents to make the switch, including:
Flexible School Schedules
With no daily bell schedule, students can complete their lessons at a time and location that works best for them. The flexible scheduling works with your family’s lifestyle and allows students to pursue outside passions, including training for elite sports competitions, volunteering, and starting their own businesses.
Parental Involvement
Parents take an active role in their student’s education at online school. In addition to the administrative tasks, such as taking attendance and ensuring homework is completed and turned in, they also support students with their lessons. Parents work together with teachers to ensure their student finds success.
“I love how Minnesota Connections Academy has skilled teachers teaching my children, but at the same time, I can help guide my children as well. If they are having a difficult time with a topic, we can go over extra worksheets or spend more time on a concept until they feel confident doing it on their own,” said Jean, a parent and Learning Coach at Minnesota Connections Academy.
Passionate, Dedicated Teachers
Online high schools have dedicated teachers who are specially trained to teach online. They know how to inspire and motivate students and keep them engaged with learning. They also work closely with families to create a personalized learning plan that fits each student’s unique needs.
“I like the one-on-one attention each of my children gets from the teachers when it is needed. I like the open communication between the teachers and the parents. I like the feedback I get when my children have assignments graded, and the fact that I can look up their grades in each class every day if I want to see how they are doing,” said Vicki, a parent and Learning Coach at Ohio Connections Academy.
A recent remote-learning survey for parents found that 97% of Connections Academy parents are satisfied with the helpfulness of their child’s teacher.
Social Experiences
Yes, students can socialize in online school! One of the biggest myths of online school is that kids don’t have the opportunity to interact with other kids and develop socialization skills. Students can attend in-person field trips to connect with classmates and teachers. They also interact with their peers in the live online classes and through extracurricular clubs. With flexible scheduling, they can participate in more activities outside of school where they can interact with others.
Getting Started in Online School – A Checklist
Thinking about enrolling your student in online school? Here are five steps to help you get started:
1. Make the Decision as a Family.
Online school is a commitment. To find success, everyone in the family should support the decision and agree to do their part. Students should commit to taking responsibility for their learning in the more independent environment offered by online school. Parents should commit to supporting their student and working through any scheduling conflicts.
2. Choose the Right School.
Do your homework to be sure you’re choosing a high-quality virtual school—one that employs professional and certified/licensed teachers and school counselors. Make sure the school is accredited and offers a wide range of courses and a proven curriculum developed by professional educators.
3. Choose (or Become) a Learning Coach.
A crucial role at Connections Academy is the Learning Coach, who is an adult parent or caretaker who builds the weekly school schedule, tracks attendance, communicates with teachers, and supports their student while they complete their schoolwork. If you are a working parent concerned about balancing online school and your work schedule, here are some helpful tips.
4. Complete the Enrollment Checklist.
Enrolling in online school isn’t hard, but it does take time. Gather your necessary documents and follow the enrollment checklist provided by the school to ensure you meet the enrollment deadlines.
5. Establish a Learning Environment.
Even though every day is a little different in online school, students spend on average 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 their creativity, helps them stay focused, is appropriate for many types of learning activities, and is uniquely theirs.
How Do Students Feel About Online Learning?
If your only experience is brick-and-mortar schools, homeschool, or virtual learning during COVID school closures, you may still be wondering if enrolling in online school is the right decision for your student. Here are what other students have to say about their online school experience:
“Connections Academy’s platform prepared me really well for the independence needed in college while still providing the one-to-one support I needed to learn.”
– Nathan Chen, Olympic Gold Medalist and Connections Academy graduate
“What I like most about Wisconsin Connections Academy is that I can work at my own pace. If a certain subject is really easy for me, I can move ahead, or if a subject is really interesting to me, I can go to the links on my home page to learn even more about it. Sometimes there are things I don’t understand, but I know I can either call or WebMail my teacher to get help or watch the teaching tutorial again to help me understand it better.”
– Joshua, a graduate of Wisconsin Connections Academy
“Everyone deserves a school where they are the teacher’s priority, and that’s what Utah Connections Academy gives you.”
– JoAnn, a graduate of Utah Connections Academy
Ready to Enroll in Online School?
Learn more about online school by attending a Connections Academy information session. If you are ready to make the switch, find a Connections Academy school near you and request an information packet to get started.
*AP® and Advanced Placement® are registered trademarks of the College Board. Used with permission.
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