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5 ways online education is changing lives for Utah students and their families

5 ways online education is changing lives for Utah students and their families

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Sure, no one is too cool for school, but that doesn’t mean some aren’t too busy, too interested in other things or just facing challenges that require more flexibility. That’s why many Utah students are taking their education online, with comprehensive curriculum available through Utah Online School.

Flexibility is one reason that 10,000 current students are taking online courses in Kindergarten through 12th grade at Utah Online School.

It puts passion first

Forget about the five-minute warning bell; you won’t get a tardy slip at Utah Online School (UOS). In fact, your UOS courses are self-paced, so you can work on them when you have time. For students pursuing sports, music or other time-intensive hobbies and skills, this presents a real-life advantage.

For example, for Owen, a current UOS student, hockey is his priority and passion. With more time to practice his game, Owen now has 11 different scholarship offers to play hockey in college. Online learning empowered him to complete his schooling while honing his craft.

It’s easy as 1, 2, free

Without adding cost, online education is a great way to build a custom schedule for students who may have fallen behind in credits needed to advance or graduate.

Harmony, a UOS student, enrolled after she realized her lack of credits meant she might not graduate on time. Thanks to a customized schedule of courses she can complete online, Harmony is now on track to graduate with her fellow classmates.

It embraces special needs

For some, the daily routine of going to school just isn’t easy — or even feasible. UOS enrolls countless students with special needs — physical or otherwise.

Lydia, an online student in Utah County, was born with a vascular disease that resulted in the amputation of her leg when she was eight years old. Now a seventh-grader, Lydia prefers online education because it offers flexibility, which is critical for a daily life that includes fluctuating levels of pain.

That said, Lydia doesn’t allow her disability to stop her; another reason she prefers learning online is that it gives her more time to do what she loves: attending amputee camps, church camp, swimming and learning one-legged skiing and sit-skiing in Park City.

It empowers students

Not everyone is a whiz at math or born with a head for languages. But when you’re surrounded by the pressure of learning in a group setting, a lack of skills can quickly become a handicap. Students who need more time and tutoring to develop core skills in math, reading, languages and more can greatly benefit by supplementing their education with online learning.

Utah Online School frequently helps boundary school students reach their full potential by providing extra coursework in the subjects they’re struggling with.

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Shutterstock

It builds all the memories

If school lockers, cafeteria food and notes passed in homeroom make you feel all nostalgic, that’s understandable, and anyone who wants the traditional high school experience should have it.

The flexibility of online schooling isn’t limited to choosing where and when you study. UOS offers split enrollment for students, allowing K-12 students to take courses at their boundary school and courses online.

And when it comes to curriculum, online learning is anything but old school. UOS offers traditional courses like reading, art, history and math, along with less traditional subjects like computer science, programming, coding, world languages, music, honors courses, concurrent enrollment and more.

For a complete course listing and information on enrollment, visit Utah Online School.

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