Why You Should Transfer Your Student to Online School in the Middle of the Year
byConnections Academy
6 min to read
Traditionally, school follows two conventions: 1) students start in the fall, and 2) they learn in a brick-and-mortar classroom setting.
Today, schooling comes in all shapes and forms. In addition to in-person classes, your K–12 student can opt for online learning, distance learning, hybrid learning, or homeschooling. You might find that, for your family, transferring to online school or another option is the best choice. Many of the alternatives still start in the fall or late summer, but they don’t have to.
If you’re considering a transfer to online school, you may also want to know how to switch to online school once you’ve made the choice. Let us help you with some answers.
5 Reasons to Transfer to an Online School Midyear
1. You’ll have support when switching to online school.
If you decide your child should attend a Connections Academy online school, we are committed to helping you prepare for success. We offer a strong support system to ease your student’s transfer to online school. After you enroll, start taking advantage of that support system by contacting your student’s teacher and joining our online community. Other parents and especially our teachers are always happy to answer your questions! We can provide new families with plenty of tips and advice for successfully transferring schools to begin online learning.
2. You’ll be a partner in your child’s education.
Once you are a part of our online school community, you won’t have to wait for parent-teacher conferences or report cards to find out how your child is doing in school. Parents, or other trusted adults, are active participants in a Connections Academy education. As your child’s Learning Coach, you’ll monitor their daily learning and make sure they complete and understand their lessons. This doesn’t mean you’ll be teaching; our certified educators handle that role. But Learning Coaches help structure the learning day, provide support and encouragement, and make sure the student stays on track. Communicating with your child’s teacher is also an important part of the role.
Explore some online help for Learning Coaches:
3. You can take advantage of flexible scheduling.
With virtual or online schooling, students learn at home with a trusted adult, ensuring they follow a state-approved, public school curriculum that involves independent, computer-based study, supported by certified teachers, and classes can be completed at any time during the school day. While students still need to meet attendance requirements and follow a typical school year calendar, online schools allow families the flexibility to take when learning happens into their own hands. This means students can take math in the morning one day or take math in the evening another. Many families enjoy the flexibility of online school to accommodate medical appointments, sports practices, community engagement, and personal preference.
4. Transferring schools can help a struggling student.
As children grow and become independent, they often have individual needs or desires that aren’t met by the structure of traditional public schools. Sometimes the brick-and-mortar learning environment is not as positive or safe as it should be. An online school allows the flexibility to meet the needs of a widely diverse student body, whether students are looking for more academic choices, fewer social distractions, a healthier learning environment, flexibility required for physical or mental health services, or to meet other needs. Online education can also be customized for gifted students to realize and grow their potential.
5. Enjoy personalized learning opportunities.
No matter what has brought your student to virtual learning, there are ways they can take advantage of the personalized learning opportunities that can help them make school work for them and their needs. Rather than trying to conform to a one-size-fits-all model that many brick-and-mortar public schools offer, online schools like Connections Academy allow students to learn in the way that best suits them. Students can participate in live class discussions, or watch a recording of the classes later so they can go back and rewatch or pause lessons as needed. Many online students also have the option to take classes they may not be available at their brick-and-mortar school such as dual enrollment opportunities or credit recovery programs, or summer courses to help them get ahead.
How Can I Switch My Child to Virtual School?
Choose a high-quality online school.
Find out whether there’s a Connections Academy school near you and make sure your child is eligible to enroll. Connections Academy offers free online homeschool with accredited K–12 programs.
Choose your timing.
You can transfer at any time but changing schools at a semester break is ideal. Students have typically completed long-term projects and other in-depth lessons, and teachers are ready to dig into new study topics at the beginning of a new semester. But if there are reasons to make an immediate switch, your new online school’s guidance counselors and enrollment officials will be able to help you navigate the school transfer smoothly. Reach out and explain your needs.
Gather necessary records.
Check with enrollment officials at the new school to find out what you need to do to enroll. Typical documents you’ll need include:
School’s application form
Transcripts
Birth certificate
Immunization records
Other state-specific paperwork
Keep the conversation going.
Once you’ve submitted the necessary paperwork for your new online school, you should only have to wait a few weeks for your books and materials to arrive, before you’re all set. In the meantime, make sure you’re available at the email address and phone number you’ve given the school, in case the enrollment team has questions about your application, and be sure to reach out with any questions of your own as you get ready to begin the process. Communication will be key throughout your entire experience, and we’re here to help every step of the way.
Find Your New Online School Home Today
If your family is considering a student transfer to online school, following these suggestions and this parent-tested advice can help you conquer the learning curve so you can feel at home in no time.
Start by finding an online school that serves your area and learn more about how your child can transfer schools and enjoy the benefits of personalized online learning by reaching out to an enrollment specialist today.
Find Your School For More Transfer-Related Details
Every school is unique. Find out more about your state’s tuition-free Connections Academy supported school.
