There are so many good reasons to consider online classes for your son or daughter while they are still in high school. My students use them most often for credit recovery (earning credits they missed in earlier grades) but they're also great for enrichment and building a stronger college application.Check out the online option if any of these conditions apply to your child:
- They lost credits/units from missing school for a prolonged period of time due to illness, severe anxiety, extended family travel, or any other circumstance.
- They earned a D or F in a class required for college eligibility.
- They are interested in studying an elective that isn't taught at their high school or local community college.
- They are motivated to try a new educational format and don't mind putting in extra work on top of their regular school day.
- They are current with credits/units but want to push ahead for a chance to graduate early.
Examples of Online Programs
BYU Independent Study is the program most widely used by my students. (Don't worry, there is no religious affiliation or content in their online classes.) They offer high school, university and even middle school courses. There is a cost associated with each class. Currently the high school level courses are $126 each, plus you have the option of having a paper manual mailed to you for $10 so you don't have to always read the material online or print it out at your own expense. Many classes require that you purchase textbooks in addition to the online postings. Assignments are submitted online, or by email, fax or mail.
Please note that most courses indicate there is a "proctored final." In order to receive credit for this course, your child must take the final in person somewhere with a certified BYU proctor or at a certified testing site. You can search for locations by zip code or you can have a counselor at their high school submit a Proctor Certification Form online.
Laurel Springs is another online school that my students have used, though less frequently. (It's not a comment on the quality of the program in any way, it's just much more expensive than BYU.) They call themselves "College Preparatory Distance Learning" and have high school, middle school and yes, even elementary school classes. They also require a one-time admissions fee of $100 (in addition to the $650 tuition per semester-long class) for students taking two or more classes while still enrolled in a traditional high school.
UCLA Extension does not offer basic high school classes for the purpose of recovering missed credits. Instead, this program is a great option for enrichment and studying advanced-level subjects that are seldom taught in high schools or even most community colleges. For example, how about your artistic child learning "AutoCAD for Landscape Design?" "Integrating a Green Business Strategy" or "Developing a New Business" for your entrepreneurial child? "Beginning Writing for the One-Hour Drama" for your screenwriter-to-be?
As you can see, there are a wide range of topics that appeal to adults and mature young adults. Two things to take note of, however. 1) Not all classes are online so be careful that the section you select is specifically labeled "online." 2) Since this is not a high school-level program, all students are expected to be able to read and write at a basic college level.
Finally, Kaplan Virtual Education is a new online school about which I know very little, but which seems to offer an interesting model of completing one's high school education entirely online. In much of the western U.S.--Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon and Washington--it appears that full-time enrollment is free. (Let me reiterate that I have no personal experience with this program yet.)
Whatever your reason for pursuing online classes for your child, be sure to do thorough research and communicate your plans to their current school. I hope this alternative educational channel piques their interest and opens up new possibilities for their future.
