Deciding to move your child to virtual schooling is a big decision – but it’s not your final decision. Once you and your child choose to receive education in a virtual, online setting, now comes the choice of where to apply.
There isn’t a shortage of virtual school options, and finding the right fit for your schedule, education goals, and learning environment can feel overwhelming. While choosing a school can only be a family choice, there are a few questions you can ask a school to give you the information to make an informed and confident decision.
1. Will my student have live, virtual instruction and interaction with teachers?
Will your child have a teacher that knows their name and how to best approach their learning goals? Or is all instruction through recorded videos and book assignments? Is small group learning part of the instruction curriculum?
There is no “right” answer, but these are all critical questions to ask to give your child the best environment to succeed based on their learning needs.
2. How much parent involvement is required during the school day?
Certain virtual schools require more parent/guardian time than others, and knowing these commitments is essential before enrolling in a school. For example, will a parent or adult be required to be present and partake during live instruction? Is parent assistance required during login? Do parents or an adult have to lead students during video assignments?
3. What are your school’s attendance policy and course time requirements?
This is a fundamental question to ask if flexibility is the main decision factor in a virtual school. Will your child be required to attend a live virtual lesson for their grade in the class? Will missing live instruction be detrimental to their learning? How much login time may be required per week if any?
Getting a sense for this time will help you plan your schedule and identify times it will work – and times it won’t – which can be vital when enrolling in a virtual school.
4. How do you measure student success?
Beyond grades, how does the school identify and measure “success” with its students? Is it growth in a student’s reading ability or capacity to complete math homework with limited assistance from a parent? Perhaps it’s a student becoming more comfortable in small groups or speaking in class.
Sometimes, a parent just knows when their student is finding new success in school. But, whatever the measure, it’s good to know how the school feels about the success and happiness of their students and families.
There are many more questions you can (and should) ask a virtual school before enrolling your child. Giving them a call, attending an information session, or setting a 1:1 meeting with school leaders is always recommended.
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