Utahns considering enrolling their children in online school might be concerned about a lack of social opportunities. Not to worry — at Mountain Heights Academy our students play sports, sing in the choir, and participate in a number of clubs. In fact, our students often choose online school because it allows them greater flexibility and balance to fit a quality education around their activities and lifestyle; and that’s a win for busy parents too.
Sports and other Extracurriculars
Most parents agree that a well-rounded education is important for adolescents to build social and communication skills and to be exposed to a variety of extra-curricular opportunities. Fortunately, legislation in Utah allows any student to participate in their boundary school sports program, as long as they try out and make the team–even if they are attending a public online charter school for their classes.
Also, students are able to mix and match their in-person and online classes by taking up to four credits online each year, including one each summer. In this way, students are able to participate in online courses and also in person activities such as choir, orchestra, debate, theater, and dance programs.
Join a Clubs
It’s not necessary for all clubs to meet in-person — although many do. Mountain Heights Academy students are located across Utah, and often groups of students living close to one another arrange face-to-face club meetings.
Others work well as remote clubs. For example, our photography club meets virtually, and students receive photo challenges to bring back to fellow club members at the next meeting. These clubs meet online at convenient times by chat or video conference, and some even have rolling online forums for participation.
Get Involved in Community Service
At Mountain Heights Academy, community service is a core value. Although it’s not a graduation requirement in Utah, we want to empower students to contribute to and get involved with their community. Service is not only important for college applications, but also serves as an opportunity for students to connect and impact people in a meaningful way while developing character. Our students engage in a minimum of 10,000 volunteer hours each year with organizations in various cities across the state.
Participate in Field Trips
Field trips help students make the connection between what they are studying in the classroom and the real world. These activities also give students an opportunity to build a sense of community with their classmates and teachers.
Parent groups, in collaboration with the school, organize trips to zoos, sports facilities, entertainment venues, local historical sites and more. By working together, parents, teachers, and school officials can provide a well-rounded school experience for students enrolled online. Field trips and excursions can easily be arranged thanks to the flexible schedule of online schooling.
When your kids learn online at Mountain Heights Academy, they can enjoy all the activities of an in-person school while benefiting from the flexibility of an online education.
If you're thinking about enrolling your child in a Utah online school, learn more about the possibilities at Mountain Heights Academy.