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With countless tests, homework assignments, extracurricular activities and looming college applications, high school can be a stressful time of life for students and parents alike.
While some worry about a lack of stimulating challenges in the classroom, others wonder if graduation is even a possibility.
How can you ensure that your high school student is getting the learning experience he or she needs most?
In an effort to provide high-quality learning options to meet a variety of needs, the Utah State Board of Education established the Statewide Online Education Program to enable eligible students to earn high school graduation credit through the completion of publicly funded online courses.
If you’re the parent of a high schooler, this means your son or daughter can take a variety of online classes for free.
Aside from the affordability, here are five other reasons why online schooling might make sense for your teenager.
Schedule flexibility
During the school year, teen stress levels often rise higher than adults, according to a survey conducted by the American Psychological Association. Ensuring students aren’t biting off more than they can chew with their schedules is one way to combat this trend.
In an online setting, students have the flexibility to set a schedule that works for them by enrolling full time or part time, depending on their needs. A teen can reduce a hectic schedule by opting for an online course in place of a traditional class, which can often benefit parents as well.
“Online classes are a great way to reduce class hours for students who can't be to school at 7 a.m. (or) for parents who have transportation or scheduling issues,” says Laura Belnap, director of Utah Online School.
Comfortable pacing
Whether you were the student in high school who finished assignments first or you were the last one to turn your test in before the bell rang, you know one simple truth: Not everyone learns or works at the same pace.
With online classes, students have the opportunity to complete courses at their pace without having to worry about how they compare to their classmates.
Early graduation or course makeup
If your student needs to retake a class to make up high school credit, online schools provide the necessary courses that lead to graduation.
Whether the goal is graduation, early graduation or simply keeping the brain stimulated during the summertime, many options are available.
Free ACT prep courses available
Some online programs help students prepare for major exams, such as the ACT.
At Utah Online School, students can take an ACT prep course that offers timed pretests with questions from previous exams. In addition to preparing them for the ACT, this course also earns students high school credit.
Online support
If your high schoolers choose an online learning experience, rest assured they will have plenty of resources available to them should needs or questions arise. Most online schools offer students access to certified teachers, licensed counselors, tutors, individual mentors and tech support when needed.
Laura Belnap, director of Utah Online School, notes each student has the support of an adult mentor and a teacher, which results in a course completion rate of more than 90 percent and a graduation rate of more than 95 percent.
To find out more about whether online classes make sense for your high school student, visit Utah Online School for more information. With more than 50 staff and faculty members serving more than 3,000 students, Utah Online School is committed to providing quality educational services that encourage the personal progress of each student.
