How School Counselors Can Help Your Student
by Valerie Kirk
Is Virtual School Right for My Child? Take the Quiz.
byConnections Academy
Families from all across the country have gotten a taste of online learning as a result of the pandemic, and recent studies have shown that virtual schools are here to stay. Many parents who discovered online schools for the first time have been shown to be more likely to want to continue with online vs. public school.
The reasons for making the switch are numerous; for many families, online school provides an ideal blend of the best qualities of brick-and-mortar schools and the best qualities of parent-led homeschooling, while also personalizing the experience to the students’ individual needs. However, making the move to an online school is a big decision—one that can impact the whole family.
So, you may be wondering, “Is virtual school right for my child?” Here at Connections Academy®, we have become the experts in all things virtual school. Since opening our doors (albeit virtually) in 2002, we have learned a lot about what kinds of students thrive in an online school and why.
Take our five-minute quiz to help you decide whether an online school like Connections Academy is right for your family.
Is Online School the right fit for your family?
Take our quiz to find out!
1. What does your student's learning space look like?
a. They have an office, den, or other room away from household distractions that has a desktop or laptop computer and internet connection.
b. A laptop computer and internet connection that your student will use to study in any room of the house.
c. A desktop computer and internet connection in a popular area of the home, such as the family room.
d. We’re on the go a lot but have frequent access to a computer and connection to the internet.
2. How would you describe your typical daily schedule?
a. Flexible and fairly open—I often have periods of free time throughout the day to interact and engage with my student.
b. Busy, but not overwhelming—I have time throughout the day to check in with my student.
c. Busy/Nonstop—I always have something to do and somewhere to be.
d. I work full-time and will not be able to support my student while I’m working.
3. What is the primary reason why you’re interested in virtual school for your student?
a. My student isn’t being challenged enough currently or is not receiving the personalized attention they need to succeed and thrive in school.
b. I’m concerned about the safety of our current school environment and the negative effects this environment could have on my student.
c. I would like to be more involved in my student’s learning because they need more individual support and guidance.
d. Our lifestyle and current situation require a more flexible schedule.
4. Which of the following statements best describes your student’s learning style?
a. My student is self-motivated, organized, and can work well both independently and with others. They are focused on their goals and can chart their own path to the future.
b. My student is spontaneous and can lose focus at times. They may need motivation and support to stay on track with their learning.
c. My student is motivated but really needs personal support to stay focused on completing tasks and remembering coursework deadlines and due dates.
d. My student thrives in group settings and learns best through visual learning.
5. As a parent what is your primary concern about enrolling your student in virtual school?
a. I’m not sure online school will offer a quality, accredited curriculum that will challenge my student and meet state guidelines for graduation.
b. I’m worried my child will miss interacting with other students and won’t experience fun, adventurous learning activities like extracurricular activities, clubs, field trips, and school events.
c. I’m concerned about the amount of time I’ll have to commit to supporting my student in online school.
d. I’m just not sure my student will be successful or happy in online school.
Mostly A's
If most of your answers were A’s, your student will most likely thrive in virtual school! We know you still want to weigh your options, but based on your responses, your student has a great space in your home to engage in learning. You also are approaching online school with the right mindset and are considering virtual school for the right reasons. Your student approaches learning with the characteristics that will help them achieve success in online school. Find the Connections Academy near you and view the enrollment checklist to get the process started today.
Mostly B's
If most of your answers were B’s, virtual school could be the right solution for your student and family. You may have an ideal space for them to learn and the right amount of time to devote to supporting your student’s success in online school, but you may want to consider making some adjustments to other factors in order to give your student the best possible opportunity to succeed. It’s best to do more research or talk to a current Connections Academy parent before making a final decision about virtual school.
Mostly C's
If most of your answers were Cs, you may need to adjust some aspects of your family’s lifestyle or environment to help your student succeed in virtual school. Your student may have trouble focusing on their coursework in your home study environment. There are simple adaptations that can be made to better support your student. You can find more information about setting up a home learning space that helps students achieve success, along with organizational tips to help your student stay on track on the Connections Academy Resource Hub. Also, if you have other obligations that may get in the way of fully supporting your student and keeping them motivated, you could consider sharing Learning Coach duties with another trusted adult. And, if having a reliable computer is a concern, check to see if the online school in your state will provide a computer for your student to use—some do, so don’t be afraid to ask!
Mostly D's
If you chose mostly D’s, we encourage you to do some more research about how online school works. Virtual programs like Connections Academy offer a rigorous academic curriculum that requires motivation, organization, and cooperation from the Learning Coach and student. It’s important to prepare for success! If you have additional questions, check out our frequently asked questions to find the answers you need.
What Is Virtual School Like at Connections Academy?
Connections Academy has been transforming the learning experience for over 20 years. Students across the United States receive an impactful, high-quality online education where they—and their family—benefit from:
- A flexible curriculum that uniquely blends online instruction, off-line coursework, and social and emotional learning. Exceptional, highly skilled teachers who provide individual attention and support every step of the way.
- The ability to socialize with other incredible students through online clubs, in-person activities, and field trips that connect peers and turn classmates into friends.
- The chance to join a tight-knit community of amazing parents who participate in their child’s learning every day.
We often are asked, “Are virtual schools good?” In the case of Connections Academy—a school that was specifically designed for online education—the evidence is clear: We help students find their way to success.
Support for All Types of Learners
From dreamers to doers and from quiet thinkers to outgoing explorers, every student at Connections Academy is unique. When your child enrolls in our online public school, they’ll receive individualized attention focused on nurturing their strengths and helping them address whatever challenges they may face.
When online schooling is done well, it can make a world of difference for students with a wide range of abilities, interests, and backgrounds, including:
- Academically advanced students who want to learn at their own, faster pace and gain access to programs that may not be readily available in their local schools (e.g., foreign languages and AP®* courses or STEM, gifted and talented, or music and arts programs).
- Career-focused students who are on a path to gain real-world skills through career and technical education courses.
- Students seeking a safe and supportive learning environment to learn free from the distractions found in brick-and-mortar schools.
- Previously homeschooled students who are ready to transition from parent-directed learning to teacher-directed learning, but still want parent and family support.
- Students with scheduling needs who require a more flexible learning environment during the school day to support their health, train as student-athletes, or pursue the arts.
- Students with learning needs who need more one-on-one attention from an experienced teacher and encouragement from an involved parent or Learning Coach.
- College preparatory students who are seeking the rigor and dedicated support to achieve their post-graduation goals.
What Is Virtual School Like for Parents?
For parents, virtual school isn’t too different from what brick-and-mortar school is like, but with one exception. At Connections Academy, we encourage parents to take a role in their child’s education by becoming a Learning Coach to:
- Keep the student motivated throughout the day.
- Organize the structure of the school day.
- Monitor the student’s progress by working closely with their teachers.
By becoming your child’s Learning Coach, you can turn a small-time investment (insert the link here to the “Working Parents” article) into a personalized, education experience.
Benefits of Online Education
When parents and students make the switch to virtual schooling, the entire family reaps the rewards.
Parents gain:
- Stonger involvement in their student’s education.
- Greater ability to adjust their student's learning environment and schedule to incorporate family priorities and values.
- More visibility into student performance and how their child learns.
Students gain:
- One-on-one attention and the ability to work at their own pace.
- More flexibility in choosing when and where they learn.
- Personalized learning plans from specially trained teachers to help them grow and meet their goals.
- Real-world skills and confidence to take on whatever comes next after graduation.
How to Get Started in Online School
The Connections Academy online learning experience allows students to discover their passions, learn at their own pace, and become more engaged learners empowered to be themselves. It’s never too late to switch to virtual school and give your student the opportunity to thrive.
Starting online school is a big decision, but Connections Academy is here to help. If you’re still deciding if your family is ready for a new school experience, contact an enrollment specialist or attend an upcoming information session to learn more about Connections Academy and get your questions—like “how does virtual school work?”—answered.
*AP® and Advanced Placement® are registered trademarks of the College Board. Used with permission.
Ready to Learn More
About Connections Academy?
Explore the benefits of attending Connections Academy, a tuition-free, accredited online public school that’s passionate about helping your child thrive.
