Online private schools are revolutionizing America’s education system. Historically, students were limited to the resources of their school districts. But this model has failed many of our nation’s most vulnerable students by providing a sub-par learning environment.
Much legislation has recently been passed at the state level to support greater academic freedom and school choice options. In addition to this, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of online learning models on a national scale. When these factors converge, it creates many opportunities for families to select the best academic environment that can provide personalized education for their children.
Given these circumstances, many families are now considering online private schools. And it should come as no surprise that online private education has multiple benefits. These benefits include:
Students can learn at their own pace
One of the biggest challenges in public schools is that the material is covered at a defined pace. This pace should provide sufficient time for all students to learn the material. But the curriculum is limited, and students that learn faster or slower than average suffer academically. While many high schools offer advanced courses or college prep options, the traditional model restricts students’ ability to learn at their own pace. Online private schools are much more independent and can often allow a student to learn following a personalized education plan tailored to their needs. This model of learning accounts for each child’s unique learning style and provides the perfect platform for them to make the most of their educational experience.
The schedule is flexible
Let’s face it – some students aren’t at their best in the morning. Another major drawback of traditional education is the rigid school schedule, which usually starts at 8 AM and ends around 3 PM. But as many public school teachers already know, some students don’t learn well in the morning or at other times of the day. Each person has a unique brain, which can be more active and focused at different times of the day. The flexibility of online learning lets families take advantage of this by allowing students to learn when it works best for their schedule. The flexible scheduling also lets parents take advantage of educational opportunities that their children might miss if they were required to be on-site at a public school (such as a trip to the museum or historical site). This learning style can be much more engaging and successful for many students.
Students may be more open to focusing on the material
While most elementary school children don’t have a problem focusing on coursework, many middle and high school kids do. Unfortunately, many public middle and high schools have high rates of bullying, peer pressure, and other negative social impacts, which can prevent a student from focusing on learning. While remote learning doesn’t remove all social barriers to learning, it can make it easier for kids to focus on the material and ignore all other ‘noise.’ When parents adjust for this and ensure the child has sufficient opportunities for positive social interactions, it can result in a much more positive and productive learning environment than one steeped in negative influences.
Students can learn anywhere
Rather than sticking to a rigid school schedule and classroom environment, remote learning options ensure that children can learn anywhere. All they need is a laptop and internet connectivity to access school courses. And this means the classroom comes to them, which also results in not having to miss school if they are on vacation or something else comes up. Additionally, for students that move frequently, as many military families must, online schools can provide a source of stability by ensuring they can continue to learn from anywhere around the world.
You get access to top-notch educational material
Most online private schools have vetted material for their online courses. In many instances, they rely on teaching methods that have proven they work. And by incorporating recordings and supplemental material, your child may even be learning from some of the top educational professionals in the world.
They can get more ‘hands-on’ learning opportunities
As your child gets older, one great benefit of distance learning is the ability to engage in rewarding experiences, such as internships, that provide ‘hands-on’ learning opportunities. And they don’t have to limit this to after-school hours. Instead, they can spend time during normal business hours learning in an engaging environment, which can be much more helpful than learning in a classroom in many instances.
There are many options
Just as each child is unique, so is each online private school. Unlike public online schools, like Connections Academy®, which are only open to limited families residing in specific areas, private online schools are much more accessible. And each one may promote different learning styles and philosophies, so you will indeed find one that will meet your child’s needs well. However, the options may seem overwhelming until you can narrow down what you are looking for in an online private school.
Online private schools can provide many educational benefits. They create a remote learning environment that is positive and productive. They can also foster stronger family bonds and allow parents to play a more significant role in guiding their child’s academic future.
If you are considering online private school for your child, you are not alone. In fact, at-home learning nearly doubled during the COVID-19 pandemic. And many families are currently interested in switching to an online education model.
While online private school may not be the right option for all students, its versatility and flexibility make it a good choice. This adaptability may be the key to giving your child a lifetime love for learning, which results in professional success. In addition, students can learn outside of the class to strengthen their mastery of coursework. Quality online schooling can be a stepping stone to your child’s success.