Online high schools are becoming more and more popular among students who want more flexibility in their education. Increasingly, these schools are offering more than just online curriculum.
What is an Alternative School?
Traditional high school can be seen as a “one-size-fits-all” system for educating students. For students who need something a little different, alternative high schools can meet that need. Alternative schools are not just for at-risk students, though they can definitely help those who are at risk of failing or dropping out to get back on track. More importantly, however, alternative schools are for any student whose educational needs are not being met by the traditional system.
Many students and families are finding online school is a better option for their needs than traditional “brick and mortar” school. Students feel safe, and they can focus on their studies without distraction. Many online schools like Global Advantage in Colorado, even offer wraparound support and services that are only a click away! But what about sports and extracurricular activities? Can students in online schools participate in sports?
Local Districts
Options in education are expanding. Students can attend traditional public high schools, private schools, online, and even hybrid schools. Since each one of these schools presents education differently, are the testing and graduation requirements different? What about standardized tests like ACT and SAT? Do all students have to take these?
State Requirements
Schools all over the country are back in session for the fall and parents are posting “first day of school” pictures all over social media. But beneath those smiles, some students are struggling with traditional education.
How do parents know when they should make a change for their children?
Students are not engaged
Many students and families got a taste of online school during the Covid-19 pandemic. For some, online education was a positive experience. However, depending on how the local district implemented it, for some students, it was more of a mixed experience. Regardless, many students and families came out of the experience with some misconceptions about online education.
As more and more families are switching to online schools from traditional “brick and mortar” schools, students and parents are noticing the support systems online schools have for their students. However, families who are used to traditional support roles such as “teacher” and “counselor”, may have some questions about the roles and responsibilities of online school staff members. Many families are wondering, what is a Life Coach, and how do they help online students?
Parents and students are taking advantage of all the benefits of attending online school. Some students can focus better in an online environment, while others need a more flexible schedule. However, families may wonder how to make the transition from walking into a brick and mortar school each day to attending virtual meetings and online classes. How can students make a smooth transition and succeed in their online education?
Set a Schedule
More and more, families are choosing to enroll their students in online schools. Attending school online has many advantages, including flexibility, fewer distractions, and increased safety from in-person bullying. But once parents and students have made the decision to enroll, what is the process?
These are the steps for enrolling with GlobalED Solutions, powered by Hope Online, which offers free public online learning for high school students.
1. Visit Our Website
Parents want their children to take advantage of all available opportunities. This may mean trying a new activity, getting creative, switching schools, or switching from traditional school to online learning. However, when a child is introduced to something new, they don’t always respond with excitement. In fact, some children are reluctant to try anything new at all.