So far, homeschooling has gone smoothly. You’ve successfully led your child through elementary school, established healthy learning routines, and worked at a pace suited to their needs. However, you’re beginning to see the writing on the wall. The course material and workloads are becoming more intense, making it challenging to keep up, you’re noticing the social limitations that can come with homeschooling, and as your child grows from elementary to middle school, you want to encourage their independence. What’s the next best step after elementary homeschool?
For many parents in this position, online school is the answer. As Minnesota’s most established online charter school, BlueSky is here to guide you through the transition process and highlight the benefits of moving from homeschool to online school.
Understanding the Similarities and Differences Between Homeschooling and Online Schooling
Online schools often utilize a combination of live classes conducted through Zoom or similar platforms, pre-recorded videos, reading materials, and online assignments. While many classes meet at designated times, students are typically in session for a smaller portion of the day compared to traditional school. Similar to homeschooling, BlueSky’s structure gives students more flexibility to study and complete assignments at times that work best for them. While technology is a key part of any online school program, we prioritize reading physical books and enjoying other learning experiences that do not involve sitting in front of a computer. Unlike many homeschooling programs, we also provide plenty of in-class discussions and other opportunities to socialize with classmates.
Preparing for the Transition to Online School
Transitioning to online school can be challenging, but most students can adjust to a new learning model with plenty of preparation and support during the early weeks and months. Here are some of the most important ways you can help your child prepare for the mental, academic, and technical transitions of online school:
Mental Preparation
Online school may be more flexible than in-person school, but it can still take time to adjust to new expectations. This adjustment can be particularly true for homeschoolers who are accustomed to a self-directed schedule with less structure and minimal deadlines. It’s essential to ensure that you and your student understand expectations and ask questions to clarify anything you are unsure about.
Academic Preparation
Online school placement can be more complicated than simply assigning students to classes based on age and grade level, especially for children coming from a wide range of homeschooling types and structures. At BlueSky, we work closely with you and your child to assess their academic ability in each subject and help you select the most appropriate class schedule. Students who need extra time to catch up on missed material or review challenging subjects have access to resources like tutors, academic advisors, and lower-level courses designed to help them catch up.
In addition, students excelling beyond their peers and seeking more rigorous, challenging schedules can access our honor courses, a wide range of elective courses, and extracurricular opportunities like the National Honor Society, eSports, and various student clubs. They also have the chance to earn high school and college credits simultaneously through our post-secondary enrollment option. Whether students need extra help or prefer a hands-off approach, BlueSky meets them where they are.
Technical Preparation
Getting the most out of online school requires you have the specialized tools your student needs to succeed before getting started. Thankfully, the technical prep for BlueSky is pretty straightforward–a strong and reliable internet connection, a Windows or Mac computer, and a pair of headphones. If you have any questions about internet speed or suitable devices, BlueSky’s tech assistance is here to help.
Choosing BlueSky As Your Online School
Choosing the right online school for your child can be as complex as choosing an in-person school. While many virtual programs provide flexibility and an excellent education, others leave a lot to be desired. At BlueSky, we take a personal approach that’s ideal for homeschooling students accustomed to self-paced learning environments. We understand that when it comes to your child, education is paramount, so we encourage you to consider these aspects when choosing an online program:
- Make sure that the program is properly accredited to ensure that it will meet your child’s future high school, college, and career requirements.
- Browse curricula to find an option that offers a wide range of topics that interest your student.
- Learn about each school’s flexibility to choose one that can provide a similar schedule to what your homeschooler is used to.
- Consider whether an online program offers knowledgeable and reliable support services to help your student succeed in current classes and planning for the future.
- Look at extracurricular offerings to find one that is a good fit for cultivating your child’s current interests outside the classroom.
- Read the reviews and testimonials from past students and parents to ensure an honest and reliable review of the school.
Supporting Your Student During the Transition to Online School
While transitioning from homeschooling to online school can take time, approaching this change with the right mindset and tools can make all the difference. Staying involved throughout the process of selecting an online school, choosing classes, asking the right questions, building a schedule that works for your child, and finding help when you need it plays a crucial role in making sure that your child knows that they have the support they need to navigate their shift away from homeschool. Traditional online school programs may provide a very different experience from many homeschool programs, but experiencing both can go a long way toward helping your child become a more well-rounded and self-disciplined student.
Choose BlueSky Online School for a Top-Notch Online Education
At BlueSky Online School, we are proud to offer a free, world-class online curriculum that can be an excellent fit for nearly any Minnesota middle schooler. If you’re a homeschooling parent ready to transition into online school, contact BlueSky today; we are here to provide support, answer any questions, and ensure that your homeschooler finds success in online school.
