Social anxiety is a very common disorder—there are more than 200,000 reported cases in America each year. That is an astoundingly high number, but what is even more astounding is that it is estimated that most cases of social anxiety go unreported, so the number of people who suffer from social anxiety disorder could be much higher. It is a serious condition that affects many aspects of a person’s life. Interpersonal communication is often inescapable, and when the thought of speaking to others causes anxiety, it can have a devastating impact on the people who suffer from it.

What Is Social Anxiety?

Social anxiety is a condition that is characterized by an intense, often irrational fear of interacting with other people. For people who suffer from social anxiety disorder, everyday social encounters can cause anxiety, fear, embarrassment, and self-consciousness. Even when they are not around people, people who suffer from social anxiety will often dwell on past social situations that made them feel uncomfortable or times when they think other people were thinking poorly of them. They often worry about being judged, embarrassed, or humiliated, and they are often concerned about offending someone.

The issues that people who suffer from social anxiety face are real, lasting, and constant. It can be a debilitating disorder that restricts the number of activities people are willing or able to do. It is treatable with the help of a mental health professional. Talk therapy and medications have both been shown to effectively treat social anxiety.

School Can Trigger Social Anxiety

In-person schools (including public, private, and charter schools) are very social settings. Students are constantly surrounded by other people and are often times encouraged and sometimes even forced to interact with their peers. For people who suffer from social anxiety, it can be an extremely uncomfortable experience. In some students, the social anxiety that schools can cause can negatively impact their mental health and performance in school.

Online Education Reduces Social Anxiety

While social anxiety is treatable, it often cannot be cured. It is a chronic condition that can last for years or even be a lifelong disorder. So for some students, it might be necessary to be removed from a school setting. For those students, online education is the perfect alternative. Online education provides a way for students to learn the important and required information without being forced to be surrounded by other people. This will reduce their social anxiety levels and help them live a better quality of life.

Of course, it is not healthy to isolate anybody, even people who suffer from social anxiety. And online education is not isolating. Just like in in-person schools, online schooling does offer the chance for students to communicate and interact with each other. It also provides more freedom to the students to engage in other social interactions of their choice. In other words, online education gives the students complete control over the level of social interaction that they participate in, which is a huge blessing for people who suffer from social anxiety disorder.

Most people who have attended an online high school will attest that the experience of online learning has unique benefits that are unavailable to people who attend a face-to-face school. For example, online schools are often less expensive than other schools, especially at the college level. They also offer flexibility, which is beneficial for people with odd or changing schedules. One of the main benefits that people don’t often consider or recognize is how online classrooms make learning easier for students with learning disabilities. Mountain Heights Academy provides a unique online solution for teenagers who struggle with a learning disorder.

Public School Is Hard For Students With Learning Disabilities

Public schools are notorious for not being effective when it comes to handling the needs of students with learning disabilities. Large class sizes make it impossible for teachers to dedicate the necessary one-on-one time to struggling students. The pace of the curriculum is often too fast for these students who quickly felt left behind and overwhelmed. Any parents with children who have learning disabilities will probably relate to these issues and other issues that often arise when they send their child to a public school.

Online Learning Can Help

With online education, most of those problems are resolved. Here are some of the ways in which learning online benefits students with learning disabilities.

• Students who participate in an online school program get to learn at their own pace, which gives them the opportunity to take extra time on the subjects or modules that they need help with the most. They can also spend less time on things they understand quickly. This ability to take the course at their own pace helps them to not feel left behind and gain confidence in their learning abilities.
• Help is available for struggling students. Every student learns best in different ways, which is why there are a variety of videos, readings, and other learning methods available for every subject. If a student realizes that they need extra help learning a particularly difficult concept, they can receive tutoring as needed.
• Online learning provides students with learning disabilities with a safe and comfortable environment. The unfortunate reality of other schools is that bullying and teasing are likely to happen, often at the expense of children who do not learn as quickly as their peers. When a student participates in an online course, they can learn at their own pace without being burdened by such harassment.
• Learning online provides fewer distractions and time-wasting activities. Many students with learning disabilities find it difficult to concentrate when there are so many people around them. When they are removed from that distracting environment, they have been shown to perform better in school.

These are only a few of the benefits that online school systems offer children with learning disabilities. While it might not be the best option for every student, online learning should be considered as a viable option for students who have learning disabilities. It has helped other students, and it can help you as well.

Please give Mountain Heights Academy a call at (801) 721-6329, today, to learn more about how we can help your student.

Mountain Heights & Socializing

At Mountain Heights Academy, we believe in creating a challenging, yet accessible program for students. We understand that the curriculum is only one part of the learning experience. Student life and socializing are both important parts of any educational process. For that reason, Mountain Heights Academy offers an online program that gives students the flexibility and independence necessary to develop their social and real world skills while also involving them in an educational community.

Integrating all aspects of the educational experience grants each student the opportunity to join in on the social aspects of life. By offering clubs centering around different topics and interests, both academic and art based, we build a space that allows each student to learn more about what they enjoy while socializing with others that feel the same.

What are the Benefits of an Online Education?

The increased use of computer technology, both inside and outside the classroom is leading to ever-increasing numbers of students enrolling in online courses. No longer is the idea of learning in a virtual environment a foreign idea. Today’s students are already using virtual platforms to communicate with peers as online learning is a natural extension of that. The benefits to learning online are numerous, here are just a few:

Computer technology has changed the way we look at the modernized classroom. More than ever, there’s an ever-increasing number of students enrolling in online courses. The concept of learning in a virtual environment is no longer a foreign idea. A student of today is already using virtual platforms to communicate with peers, to learn about the world, and to do a majority of their school work. Online learning is a natural extension to this, There are numerous benefits to online schooling, both socially and educationally, which include:

• Working at your own pace
• Greater focus on education
• Supplement your education
• One-on-one time with teachers
• Flexibility in studies
• Recover lost credits
• Learn while you travel
• Prepare for college

Self-Directed Learning & Working At Your Own Pace

The typical, traditional school system can be stifling to a student. Having to learn at a relatively predetermined pace, without the option to work ahead, or to take your time to fully grasp a concept is an outdated way of earning a degree. Online classes allow students to progress through courses quickly if they so choose. Students aren’t bound to the length of a traditional class period. Students can take as much, or as little time as needed. The freedom of self-directed learning allows for students to learn at a pace that’s comfortable for them, but also teaches responsibility and accountability for their individual studies.

Supplement Your Education & Or Recover Lost Credits

Many high school students decide to enroll in online courses alongside the classes they’re already taking at traditional high schools. This is convenient in the case that a student is trying to finish schooling in a fewer amount of years, or when the high school they’re attending doesn’t offer a course the student would like to take.

Online schooling is also beneficial for those students who may have fallen behind in their traditional high school coursework. Rather than the typical method of independent study for supplemental learning, or credit recovery, students are enrolled in an actual course where they’re able to seek help from an instructor.

Focusing on Education & Lessening Social Pressures

Schooling with Mountain Heights is investing in your education. Teens can struggle with more than just school work in the traditional classroom. In these settings, importance is often placed on social activities and not on furthering a student’s education. In an online schooling environment, the social pressures of normal schooling aren’t a concern, allowing students the time to focus on what matters most.

Flexibility For the Unusual Schedule

If you’re a student with an unusual schedule, a traditional school setting may not be possible for you to attend. In such a case, online schooling allows for genuine scheduling flexibility. A student shouldn’t have to prioritize a busy schedule over their education. With flexible learning, they won’t have to.

Preparing For College

It’s never too early to prepare for college, and it’s also never a bad idea to take concurrent enrollment courses during high school. If a student’s plan is to attend college after high school, but they’d like to get a head start of general college courses, they can easily enroll in a number of those courses through Mountain Heights Academy.

With the stress of parental deployment, frequent moves, and the sacrifices made by family, children in military homes can find it a struggle to receive a well-balanced education within a traditional academic institution. Between making quick social adjustments, changing schools, and connecting with new peers, stability may feel nonexistent.

Fortunately, Mountain Heights Academy is an ideal option for military families of Utah. Virtual schooling is often only thought of as an option for those looking to home-school their children, or for those falling behind in their studies. Parents and students alike are seeing the benefits of online schooling. What makes our online school the right choice for your son or daughter?

Our virtual academy can be the solution to offer your child structure and a consistent education while still providing the necessary flexibility for a busy schedule.

Flexible Schedules

There should be no reason for your child to fall behind due to a station move, or a lack of time. With an online charter school, students and parents can build their own schedules, making it simple to place an emphasis on studies when life becomes hectic. If you’re newly stationed in Utah, Mountain Heights Academy is a reputable option for your child’s education. There’s no need to place them into a traditional schooling system that might bring unwanted social and emotional discomfort. As our schoolwork is divided into modules, each week students have the freedom to work at their own pace and are assured the flexibility to finish assignments when and where they choose.

Parental Involvement

Using our accredited online charter school curriculum can help draw families closer together. As a parent, you’ve likely felt moments of pride and joy in your child as you watch them work diligently at their schooling or as they connect strongly with a topic. There’s a greater opportunity to grow and learn as a team with your child during their virtual schooling.

Building Independence

Traditional school settings provide more than merely an education. We look at this time away from home as an opportunity for a child to grow and develop independence away from home during the weekdays. Some parents might fear that without a common school environment, their child might lose the advantage of gaining early independence or necessary social skills. On the contrary, online schooling provides the benefits of self-directed learning and personalization.

Students aren’t bound to the time restraints of a classroom setting, or the social pressures that often take away from an educational experience. Independence is earned as a student learns to work at their own pace, allowing them to take control of their own studies. With unparalleled teacher interaction that Mountain Heights Academy provides, online classes can help build up confidence and instill an excitement for learning.

Leadership Opportunity

At Mountain Heights Academy your child’s education is our primary focus, however, we understand that developing their real-world skills sets them up for continued success after they’re out of our care. We encourage every student to actively include themselves in their educational community. With opportunities to join clubs centered around their topics of interest, and opportunities to connect with local business and industry leaders, students are given the chance to create connections with the world around them and develop passions outside of the purely educational experience.

Why Mountain Heights Academy

Our online schooling program has been recognized for its excellence in academics and curriculum. We understand the importance of the service that our Utah military members provide, and in turn, we’ll provide exceptional educational services to your child. Mountain Heights Academy is here to empower your students using innovative technology, and student-centered instruction.

There are countless advantages to a digital school setting. For example, many families are happy building their child’s education around their lifestyle, not the other way around. Many students quickly take to digital learning, while others may find they struggle slightly at the beginning. It’s also true that study and homework times are completely flexible and therefore up to the student and their family to establish, but it’s important to not lose focus, motivation, or make procrastination a habit.

If you’re a student who is interested in attending a digital academy or have recently switched to this type of learning, what do you see as an advantage or a challenge, and how do you get the most out of online learning?

What’s Your Learning Style?

One of the main reasons why digital learning has seen such positive popularity over the last few years is the fact that students outside of a typical school setting can pay more attention to how they learn. Every student learns differently. It isn’t uncommon to find you have greater focus at different times of the day, lack focus inside a classroom setting, or lose motivation as you progress faster or slower than your peers.

Figuring out what your learning style is can help you create a personal guide to when and how you’re likely to learn. As you’re doing your coursework, pay attention to how you’re likely to take in information and how, in turn, you can use it with full understanding. What tactics do you use? Do you tend to process new concepts easier when you:

• Recite information out loud like an Auditory Learner
• Write information down like a Reading/Writing Learner
• Process information in forms of charts or graphics like a Visual Learner
• Have a hands-on experience like a Kinesthetic Learner

These are four basic ways to look at your studying methods. Utilize those styles that work for you and get the most out of your study time.

Set Personal Goals

Setting goals for yourself are vital, regardless of what your school setting is. As a student, think about what your short-term and long-term goals are in regard to your education and your happiness. Is there a particular subject you want to excel in? Is there a grade point average you’re aiming for? Or with long-term goals in mind, is there a specific college you’d like to attend? Or a particular career path you are interested in pursuing?

Write down each goal on a two-columned list. Add or edit those goals as you see fit and make sure to keep your list in an easily seen place. Just remember, stay true to whatever is on that list as you continue to learn.

Stay Organized

Some students thrive in a messy atmosphere, while others are only distracted by clutter. Whichever category you fall into, make sure the tools you use for schooling stay organized. There’s nothing worse for a student than losing an important folder containing an important paper on your computer. If your desk and computer are also used as your personal desk and personal computer, make sure you keep your important school items separated. It can be easy to muddle the two, and lacking organization can mean huge headaches for you later.

On your phone, computer, and on your virtual school, make a “to-do” list. Rank the items in order of urgency. Keep in mind both the time and effort necessary for your schoolwork or studying time, making sure that you finish items that will take significantly more time and effort earlier in the week.

Use Your Time Wisely

Digital learning can be tricky if you’re unable to manage your free time. It’s easy to get distracted while working on tasks if you’re perusing social media content, or watching your favorite TV series on a streaming site. What was meant to be a 10-minute break turns into an hour. It’s bound to happen every once in a while, but it’s important to never let it become a habit. Limit your distractions when you’re “in class” and while you’re studying. Designate a time limit for your breaks and stick to it. Do the same with your school tasks.

Overcoming Frustration

No matter how well we set ourselves up for success, each student is bound to experience a normal amount of setbacks in their studies. Some days of learning will result in you taking great steps forward in your education, while others will keep you at a standstill. Maybe you feel stressed after receiving a poor grade, getting into a fight with a friend or parent, or maybe you feel defeated because there never seems to be enough hours in a day. Remember to try and view every hardship and setback from a different perspective than your own. Is there anything you can change currently, any responsibility you need to accept, or any behavior that might be keeping you from further personal growth? Make a plan for future hardships. How will you handle future moments of frustration? Don’t let those frustrations get in the way of future success, and work diligently to achieve the goals you’ve set for yourself.

Keep In Mind

Your schooling years will be full of your greatest triumphs as well as a few trials of difficulty now and again. Self-motivation and determination are key elements to successfully navigate a digital education. Mountain Heights Academy can help you achieve all of your educational goals, as well as help you build your confidence as you make greater connections with your studies.

Please send any questions or comments to .

At Mountain Heights Academy, we believe that true learning stems from excellent communication, a willingness to ask questions, and a positive connection between students and their educators. If you’ve ever been a part of a classroom setting, you understand the difficulties of communicating directly with a teacher in a room full of peers. It can be difficult—and sometimes impossible—even when you’re in the same room, let alone when you’re back home working on assignments.

A traditional classroom setting doesn’t always guarantee clear communication, just as the traditional idea of online schooling, doesn’t always mean ineffective, or disconnected teachers. At Mountain Heights Academy, we pride ourselves in our unparalleled teacher and student interactions. How do we make it happen?

What We Need From the Educator

1. Hiring the right teacher.

Great teachers can be hard to find, but hiring teachers with excellent skills in communication can make the hiring process that much more difficult. We search for teachers that carry with them the ability to encourage learning, and the willingness to communicate with students and parents. Our multi-step hiring process allows us to find genuinely great educators who are interested and able to meet the needs of their students, however unique those needs may be.

2. Teachers with high accessibility.

The are many ways for teachers and students to keep their lines of communication open. No more tired coursework that’s easy to rush through without requiring the student to retain information. Our teachers care about curating coursework that is engaging and encourages learning.

• Utilizing daily office hours. We make sure that each teacher has daily office hours. This way students can directly ask their educators questions, receive additional tutoring and even attend optional live sessions with their peers.
• Chatting through various platforms. At Mountain Heights Academy, we use secure platforms that allow students and teachers to video conference. Sometimes a concept clicks easier with a one on one chat! Teachers are even able to share a whiteboard with students who need additional visual aids.
• Phone calls and real-time collaboration. Often times a short phone call is all it takes to answer a student’s question. On the other hand, certain questions or concerns might take more time to find the right solutions. That’s why teachers and students can work on projects together in real-time collaboration. By working on the same document online, teacher’s are able to give suggestions, and explain ideas while a student is actively working.

3. Communication even on a tricky schedule.

Eventually, every student will need some assistance from their teacher. When this happens, students can schedule their school time to match the 4 hours per day that teachers hold “office hours”. If a student’s schedule isn’t alignable with a teacher’s office hours, they can make an appointment outside of those hours, when needed.

Each week, students will be able to view their teacher’s office hours, in the chance that they change from one week to the next. This 4-hour period is the perfect time for the teacher to speak directly to students, and students to clarify assignments, or express any concerns they might have.

What You Need as a Student

1. Check in with yourself and your teacher.

If you’ve been pacing your schoolwork effectively and progressing in your studies, it can be easy to fall into a place of complacency. Sometimes you might even feel like routine communication with your teachers is unnecessary. That’s why it’s important to check in with yourself and your educating team toward the middle of each course. Ask yourself some serious questions like:

• What’s going well in this course, or what’s going well this year?
• What can I do better to support myself as I continue learning?
• What concerns and issues do I have with my performance?
• If I talked to my teacher about what I could do to enhance my performance, what would they say?

Once you have answered those questions yourself, it’s a good idea to share your findings with your parents, and ask your teachers for any support you may have not have realized you needed.

2. Show respect.

The best way to communicate with your teachers is to show them that you value their efforts and time. Use your time wisely, as well as theirs. If you know you’ll be tight on time, but still need to speak with your teacher, create a plan for communication. Come prepared with your questions regarding an assignment, a specific task, or a particular concept. Not only is this showing your teachers that you care about your studies, but you care about their time as well.

Deciding to switch from a traditional schooling system to an online school isn’t a light decision. After all, for students who’ve spent a fair amount of years learning in a classroom setting, the sudden shift to building their own schedule and completing school work on their own time can appear daunting. Online education isn’t without its negative connotations.

Although the numbers continue to decrease, parents and students occasionally believe the myth that online courses are only for a specific type of learner, or a person on an unforgiving schedule. There are key differences between traditional schooling and online education, and it’s important to discuss the benefits of the latter that you might not have realized existed.

Motivation

It’s a common misconception that only the most motivated of learners and students can find success on an online school platform. Often, even this being mentioned to a young person makes them feel as though they aren’t “the right fit” for online education. With reason, some students see flexibility in a schooling schedule as a perfect option to continue their unique and busy lives while still receiving a quality education. Other students understand that a flexible schedule accompanies a higher demand on them and greater personal responsibility. Neither student is wrong. However, while a flexible schedule does warrant a unique daily schedule, it shouldn’t dismiss those who are unclear about their motivation level or the learning skills they possess.

Having various motivation levels in schooling is very normal, as are various learning needs. For instance, if a student is performing to less than their normal ability, it may not be a question of motivation, but of how they’re currently learning in a classroom environment. It could be that they’re not given enough time to process the information they’re receiving, or they may not be challenged enough. Motivation is important at the beginning of and throughout your studies, but it’s the determination to succeed that will get you to the finish line.

Online School Doesn’t Mean Easier

Possibly the biggest stigma with any online course is that, outside of a classroom setting, courses suddenly become easier. While not every online school is created equal, customizing your schedule to your needs doesn’t mean simplifying your workload, or absorbing less information. The goal of Mountain Heights Academy is to provide Utah with an online charter school that is known across the state for its rigorous and rewarding curriculum.

All courses at Mountain Heights Academy require time management, prioritization, and ultimately, a want to learn. With courses built by caring and enthusiastic educators, and students who use their time wisely to engage themselves in their education, Mountain Heights Academy produces higher test scores and completion rates than any online schools throughout the state.

Social Skills & Cooperative Learning

Face-to-face interactions are not all that’s necessary for students to learn and develop their social skills. Cooperative learning can happen in a multitude of ways. During a course, through extracurricular opportunities, and leadership opportunities, students and their mentors will work together to promote cooperation and interaction. Commonly, this will happen via emails, through service-learning activities, and on field trips. Social interaction for an adolescent is important, and that’s why we’ll continue to give students the opportunity to engage inside and outside of school.

We love schooling, learning, and developing our minds, but everyone who’s ever been to school knows the frustrating feeling of burnout. Sometimes feeling stuck in a learning rut is inevitable, regardless of how much you love to learn. In the average school system, problems with classroom engagement usually stem from a student having either too little or too much time to connect concepts in their learning. This can lead to boredom, frustration, and many other negative emotions.

In the case of an online school, where a student has the chance to keep their schedule incredibly flexible and can choose to learn at their own pace, you’d assume this classroom setting problem would become a null issue. However, every student is susceptible to burnout, regardless of the classroom setting or subject interest levels.

What do you do then—as a parent or a student—to keep yourself engaged when you start to feel otherwise? An online school is a learning tool you should be able to enjoy wholeheartedly, even at the rare times you’re feeling less than inclined to study. Whether you’re enhancing your note-taking game or finding new ways to engage with your peers, here are some helpful types to keep your studies exciting and your mind refreshed.

Keep it Personalized

Never underestimate the power that personalization has over your perception. Sometimes, the simple act of writing notes in a notebook you enjoy taking out and using is enough to begin the base level of engagement. Use whatever resources you have on hand, or take a trip to get supplies that inspire. When so much of your schoolwork that comes from an online source stays directly on your screen, it can stifle the way you’re receiving that information. If you find this is the case for you, try printing out your materials. Not only does a physical copy come in hand in the case of reading materials, but it gives you the chance to make physical notes, annotations, or important highlights physically. That alone can jumpstart some positive responses to your studies.

Get Creative with Note-Taking

Although it is highly encouraged to keep notes on courses or modules in a safe notetaking app (there’s nothing quite as sad as misplacing handwritten notes you’ve taken on an entire lesson), there are ways to study concepts from those notes in an interesting way. Students accept and process information in a variety of ways. If you’re feeling stuck in your routine of working off of or rereading written out notes, why not try something different?

There are many strategies out there for note-taking, some may work for your learning style better than others. Start looking at your notes as an interesting and fun way to look back on topics while studying, and not a one-off copying activity. However, you decide to change your outlook on taking notes and studying them, remember that your note-taking should happen in about four stages. Note-taking, making, interacting, and lastly, reflecting. Ask yourself questions about any topic at hand that might be challenging to answer currently, but will be exciting to answer later.

Interaction at an Online School

Socialization and peer collaboration are vastly important for any student. The common misconception about an online school is that any sort of peer socialization is nearly nonexistent. Like any school, socializing is what you make it, but Mountain Heights Academy does its absolute best to give you various opportunities to engage while learning and outside of school. If you’re a student that’s feeling less than productive, or a little out of balance when it comes to the social aspects of online school, make sure to check out the extracurriculars and social activities happening at the academy.

With social events happening every other week, assignment collaborations, and programs that encourage student interaction, there’s always a friend to make and a peer to learn from. Remember to balance your social life with your schooling. Take breaks to meet with others, talk about how you’re feeling, and come back to your studies refreshed and ready to learn!

Online classes can feel like an overwhelming task when it’s purely personal motivation and time management that gets you through. If motivation and management aren’t your strongest suits, there’s still hope to pass all of your classes with flying colors! All it takes is the willingness to change your current study strategies for ones that will aid you in scholarly success.

Check Your Email Frequently

Obviously, not being in a traditional classroom setting means that communication with classmates and educators is different. Although we give students every opportunity to reach out to others, sometimes the simplest form of communication isn’t properly utilized. Keep in touch through your simple but vital email inbox. Your virtual mailbox is the gateway to important communication with teachers, study mates, and classmates.

Stay ahead of the curve at all times by organizing your inbox in a way that works for you. This might mean solely marking certain emails you know you’ll need to look back on as “important”, or you could go as far as to organize every email into folders based on courses or assignments. Make the effort to keep informed and never miss an important email by checking your inbox at least once a day.

Ask Questions. A Lot of Them.

You should never assume that your teacher notices exactly what concepts in a course your struggling with. It’s best to let them know as soon as it begins to sink in that you need more time with a certain subject or concept. Never feel ashamed of needing assistance. That’s precisely what your educator is here for!

If you aren’t sure about course requirements, the syllabus, instructions for a certain assignment, or you just flat out don’t understand the complexities of a tricky subject, send an email or schedule a chat during their virtual office hours. Teachers are mindful of checking their emails frequently and will get back to you in a prompt manner so you can be on your way. Never let late assignments pile up due to a lack of understanding or resistance to communicate.

Don’t Forget to Read the Syllabus

The syllabus is your greatest friend. Many students choose to glance over it only once before setting it aside in their minds. Don’t make that mistake! Think of it as your guide to the course. There’s a good chance that a question you have about a course or assignment is explained in the syllabus. It’s also an opportunity to have a complete overview of the course that a teacher has planned out. This outline is a great way to plan out our studies ahead of time. Even if your schedule changes frequently, with the help of a syllabus, you won’t be taken by surprise with what’s to come.

Stick to a schedule

Set a schedule for yourself and know when you need to “tap out”. No student learns in exactly the same way or in a predetermined timeline. Create a study schedule that benefits you, even if others might not find it’s beneficial to them. If you tend to lose concentration after about an hour of intense study, understand that continuing to study may be counterintuitive. Take the breaks you need—but stay productive. Don’t use these breaks as a chance to procrastinate on important tasks. Get up and do something that different. Get a snack, take a walk, or read something unrelated to classwork. After that, switch gears and get back to work.

Pick a day each week to set up a weekly work schedule. Even if you can’t stick to it perfectly, assigning yourself course work or study time for certain subjects on any given day of the week will keep you from feeling overwhelmed by your workload. Giving yourself a schedule will help you make sure you’re getting all of your necessary assignments done before moving onto the next day of work.

Online charter schools have been receiving an increasing amount of criticism. We are the first to say that at times this criticism is warranted. We’ve heard the schooling horror stories; parents who describe their child’s online schooling experience as a “year wasted”, or a child losing out by not receiving the correct level of teacher and peer engagement. It’s upsetting to even imagine your child has lost a great deal of learning in the subject of math, did an underwhelming amount of reading, or realizing that they haven’t retained a single bit of learning in a semester of school.

Of course, a lack of learning is a great concern for any parent, student, as well as the staff at Mountain Heights Academy. That’s why we’ve reinvented the online charter schooling experience, taking the positives of such an adventure and amplifying them, as well as reimagining what doesn’t work.

What is an Online Charter School?

For those unfamiliar with online schooling, the idea of attending elementary, middle, and high-school outside of a traditional school setting can seem extreme. It’s difficult to imagine our children learning outside of a traditional classroom environment five days a week. It may even be impossible to imagine how a student could succeed while learning online versus in the physical presence of teachers and peers. Of course, an accredited online school meets the same graduation requirements of any other accredited public or charter school, although our learning styles and flexibility are vitally different.

Many parents are curious but rightfully skeptical of the structure, benefits, and reasoning behind choosing an online school. And of course, they have the right to be. There’s nothing quite as distressing as hearing the stories of online charter schooling gone wrong. But we hate to see an opportunity for unique learning squandered due to other schools (online and brick-and-mortar) who lack quality teachers, have unstimulating coursework, require less than ideal student support, and give zero socialization opportunities. However, our online charter school is built differently. We have hope for the continued success of online learning, and our decade of success speaks for itself.

The Issues with Online Schooling & How We’re Fixing Them

• Student & Teacher Interaction. Online charter schools are a tricky thing. There are many online schools in existence that don’t put the appropriate emphasis on student/teacher engagement. Our dedicated staff is not only there to help every student succeed but are dedicated to giving their time during teacher office hours, and providing quick response times. We don’t want students to feel as though they’re learning from a tired powerpoint presentation. They’re learning from educators who have been hired due to their ability to make learning exciting, challenging, and engaging.
• Socializing. A lack of social interaction is a notable reason why many parents are apprehensive about the idea of online education. As they should be! These developmental years are the opportune time for a student to learn and grow mentally and emotionally amongst others their age. That’s why we make it a point to have endless opportunities to help students engage with one another. From group projects to clubs and in-person meetings, there’s always a chance for social engagement.
• The Daily Structure. Flexibility in the online charter school schedule is key. Students should be allowed to learn at their own pace without consequences for learning too quickly or not quick enough. However, for some students and parents, flexibility means losing out on the structure of a daily school routine in a classroom. Just as a student might not stick to or work within the daily structure of a traditional school, we have to assume “structure” can mean something different for every learner.

We work with students of various levels of self-motivation and those who’s schedule changes drastically. As content is available online, teachers spend their time working with students in small groups or individually instead of repeating lessons to various groups of students. Additionally, parents are kept well-informed of each student’s progress via weekly emails that give parents access to grades, time spent in class, pacing and student progress. Yes, structuring may be different here, but it works in favor of a student’s learning and not against it.

Online Schooling Isn’t for Everyone

Charter schools, specifically ones based online, aren’t for every student. In a traditional sense, many students do just fine in a public or private school setting. However, evidence suggests that students who aren’t relatively atypical learners—whether in the way engage and absorb their studies or due to a unique schedule—learn at a higher capacity when flexibility is introduced to schooling. Allowing a student to create schedules that work for them rather than against them often boosts the student’s confidence and allows them to connect at a level they couldn’t fathom in a traditional school environment.

Who Succeeds at Mountain Heights Academy?

So who succeeds at Mountain Heights Academy? Any child who understands that our program, although unique, is still built to meet a rigorous standard of education. Yes, students are able to take the time they need to understand concepts in-depth and get their learning done around their preferred schedule, but there are still deadlines, “virtual classroom” hours, and academic standards that need to be met. We encourage parents and students to seek us out when they’re certain that other forms of schooling aren’t working. We also encourage students and parents to be realistic about what “flexibility” means to them. One of the most important factors for success is student accountability. Does online learning sound beneficial for your child? If you’d like to learn more about our program and how we’re reinventing the online charter school, give us a call today!