K-12 Virtual School and Working Parents: Ways to Make it Work

September 23, 2025 byPhoebe Brown

6 min to read

Dad helps elementary school daughter with school work

Virtual school offers many benefits for K–12 public school students and their families, including flexible scheduling and personalized learning. For working parents, though, who may not have the time to spend the day balancing job responsibilities with their child’s online school, those benefits may seem out of reach. While it may be harder, families who work full-time are still able to make online school possible for their children.

How Do Working Parents Manage Virtual School for Their Kids?

Many virtual school programs require an adult to be at home with the student as they learn, which may sound challenging for families who work. But working families can make virtual school possible for their kids by understanding more about the role parents play, as their child’s Learning Coach, in supporting their online learning.

A working parent helping her children with their virtual school assignments.

What Is a Learning Coach?

A crucial role at Connections Academy® is the Learning Coach, who is a parent, caretaker, or other trusted adult that builds the weekly school schedule, tracks attendance, communicates with teachers, and supports a student as they complete their schoolwork.

As a Learning Coach, you know your student best and understand what keeps them motivated and engaged with learning. Some students will need to rely on their Learning Coach more than others, which will be important to know as you learn how to work while your student is enrolled in virtual school.

Many parents find this role incredibly rewarding, as it gives them the opportunity to connect with their child in a new way and allows them to be directly involved in their child’s learning journey.

A working parent taking time off to go on a hiking field trip.

What Is the Time Commitment for Kids Enrolled in Online School?

All students need to spend a set amount of time in school, which is specified by their state’s school district. For online school students, different age groups need varying levels of support from their Learning Coach.

Elementary School: Younger students will require the most one-on-one attention from their Learning Coach, especially students in the third grade and under, to help them log in and stay on task. (typically, four to-six hours per day)

Middle School: With more familiarity around online school systems, students in middle school will still need help remembering assignment due dates and learning good study habits. (typically, three to five hours per day)

High School: As high schoolers can be more independent, Learning Coaches can stay more hands-off while their student manages attending LiveLessons and participating in group discussions. (typically, one to two hours per day)

How to Balance Working and Supporting a Student in Online School

One thing that helps working parents balance their daily responsibilities and their child’s education is to have more than one designated Learning Coach to help spread out the tasks. A second Learning Coach or even joining a Learning Pod can help your student manage lessons and assignments while you are working.

If two Learning Coaches are not possible, there are still ways working parents can manage online school by getting a little creative. Here are four virtual learning tips for parents with full-time jobs to support their kids enrolled in online school:

1. Take Advantage of Flexible Scheduling.

At many online public schools, students are not locked into specific school hours, so busy families can plan their child’s learning around their work schedule. For example, a Learning Coach who freelances may schedule their working hours at the same time as their middle school student attends a LiveLesson, or a Learning Coach who works part-time may start the learning day for their high schooler earlier in the morning before they go to work and pick right up again when they get back home.

2. Encourage Independent Learning with Smart Planning Tools.

Having a clearly defined to-do list can help your child stay on track to complete assignments and meet school deadlines.

Many online schools provide working parents with planning tools that can integrate with their family’s calendar, work schedule, and the student’s virtual class and lesson scheduler. It also gives you access to your student’s teacher’s virtual office hours.

Sit down with your student and learn how to manage the planner early in the school year. This way, you will understand how the planner works and will help your child learn to become an independent learner.

3. Build a Support Network

The core of what Connections Academy does is in our very name: we build connections. As part of our online learning community, your student — and family — will benefit from a strong circle of support that includes peers, families, and talented educators. Building a support network for caregiver and parental involvement in virtual learning can set Learning Coaches and their student up for success by having access to:

Certified teachers who can spend more time working one-on-one with you and your student to develop an individualized learning plan and provide assistance with scheduling.

School discussion boards, real-time classroom conversations, and email communications so students can interact with other students and help solve a problem or complete a tricky assignment.

Tutors who can work with your student on academic areas where they need more support.

4. Stay Agile and Open to Adjustments

Life happens, and that means sometimes things don’t go as planned. There may be times when your child isn’t able to complete their online lessons without your support, and that is okay!

Set aside time to work on harder assignments together or answer questions when you’re available.

Evenings and weekends are usually the best times for full-time working parents to be a hands-on Learning Coach. Many online school assignments can be submitted at any hour of the day or night.

Remember to revisit your online schooling plan regularly to make sure your student isn't falling behind and to check-in with how they’re managing their time.

Plan ahead to take time off from work for things like school social activities and field trips.

Be sure to know when any required state testing is happening, so you or your trusted adult can be available.

Communicate with your child’s teacher if something comes up. This will help you adjust schedules and availability with the help of your child’s teacher.

Set Up Your Co-Working and Learning Space for Success

Getting your shared working and learning space set up doesn’t have to be confusing. Learning Coaches working from home can create at-home workstations, so they can be with their student without having to break away entirely from work. Here are some simple tips to create a shared virtual learning environment that may work for you and your student:

Make sure the learning and working areas are quiet.

Have adequate lighting and a good chair.

Tie up cords, so they’re organized and out of the way.

Keep distractions away, such as television, siblings, and pets.

Limit desktop clutter.

Use earbuds or headphones for work meetings or LiveLessons when needed.

Put school and work items away at the end of the day.

Virtual Learning Can Work for Working Parents

The shared goal between Learning Coaches—whether they be parents or caregivers—and virtual schools is to help children achieve success on their learning journey while having a great online school experience. By working through scheduling issues together, families can take an active role in their child’s learning while balancing work obligations.

Discover how you can make online school work for your family by attending an upcoming Connections Academy information session or by downloading the Connections Academy e-guide.