(NAPSI)—As education continues to evolve, more families are exploring new models—such as asynchronous learning, interactive content and AI-powered tools. With so many options emerging, it’s important to consider which approach will best support your child’s needs. For families thinking about a transition to online school, asking the right questions is essential to navigating and evaluating the growing range of choices.
Questions to Help Guide Your Search
•Is the school accredited? In the United States, accreditation and a school’s reputation with colleges can be threshold indicators of the quality of education your student can expect. For example, accreditation through a national organization such as Cognia ensures that the school has undergone a rigorous accreditation process requiring self-study, research, focus on educational excellence, and strategic future planning. Similarly, long-standing regional accrediting organizations such as Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) engage private schools in California, Hawaii, the Pacific, and several institutions outside of the U.S. in a rigorous accreditation process to ensure they provide high-quality education.
•What type of online program does the school offer? Online programs can be asynchronous, synchronous, or hybrid. Synchronous and hybrid programs require students to be present at specific times or places, which can support collaboration but limit flexibility. For students looking for a completely flexible experience, an online, asynchronous program may be the best option. Students in asynchronous programs are typically not required to attend live classes at specific times or places, which lets them design their own daily, weekly, and annual schedules and complete their schoolwork at any time as long as they have access to a computer and the internet.
•What types of socialization and community-building opportunities are available to students? It’s essential for online students and families to intentionally seek out and lean in to social opportunities, both inside and outside their school. Meaningful friendships can positively affect academic performance, leading to improved comprehension and higher GPAs. Parents should ask online schools for clear examples of how their students interact with their peers. At an online school such as Laurel Springs School, for example, students have access to a wide range of social opportunities, from 90+ virtual clubs and activities, to in-person field trips, graduation, and prom. Learning more about an online school’s community-building opportunities will help paint the full picture of what your student can expect as an online student.
•What academic outcomes or achievements can you share? Academic statistics including graduation rates, college acceptance rates, and test scores are excellent indicators of the quality of an academic program. Most accredited, full-time school programs will share this information through their website or can provide documentation, such as School Profiles, to share recent outcomes with families.
•What does a typical day look like for an online student? Schools that offer synchronous or hybrid programs may be able to share sample schedules with prospective families. In asynchronous programs, however, a “typical” day can look different for each student, depending on age, grade level, learning style, and family or personal commitments. If the school offers virtual tours, open houses, or webinars, these can be good opportunities to ask current students or teachers for examples of their “typical days” or to ask what support the school offers students in shaping their daily schedules. Ultimately, an asynchronous program can empower students to shape their learning experience to fit their academic and other needs, but it will require more input and oversight from parents at home to ensure success.
Searching for an online K-12 program can be a daunting task, but there are resources to help you as you decide among available institutions. Programs such as Laurel Springs School offer community-building opportunities with excellent academic outcomes. To learn more, visit laurelsprings.com, and if you register for the next Virtual Open House, Laurel Springs will waive your $300 registration fee if you enroll within two weeks.
