DS11 just started the 8th grade today and here I am planning for next year already. (Or maybe sometime this year depending how things go!) I'm researching university affiliated online high schools and so far like what I see. DH, DS and I all agree that we don't want DS physically attending high school next year due to his age, personality, pace of learning, etc. The schools I've looked at (University of Nebraska, University of Missouri, University of Oklahoma and Stanford (however Stanford doesn't enroll until 10th grade) are all regionally accredited diploma granting institutions, offer AP and even dual enrollment classes (at 1/2 the price of taking the class as a college student). Most importantly, DS has the right personality and self discipline - I think!- to be a good distance learner.

So does anyone know of the downsides - in an academic sense- of these programs? He most certainly would not miss the social aspects of high school, so I'm not worried about that. He would have no problem with AP or dual enrollment level courses (in fact, he could just have easily started 9th grade today). These institutions offer both print and online courses, have assignments, and tests are sent to and administered by approved (non-family) proctors to ensure integrity.

Any experience, positive or negative would be helpful! Feel free to PM if desired.

BTW, if interested, University of Missouri offers elementary and middle school classes beginning in the third grade. (I tried a link but it didn't work - google University of Missouri online high school, there's a link with course offerings beginning in the 3rd grade)

I'm interested in what you find, CFK. If y'all don't mind keeping whatever answers you can on the public forum, I'd be grateful. Obviously we're not there yet, but I'm always keeping my eyes peeled for info that might help us in the future. When DH and I have discussed what we might do for DS7 for high school, this hasn't been something we considered--or even knew about! So I'd love to hear more about it.

Thanks!

Hi CFK,

I have a couple questions/issues to bring up. Yes, I agree, Univ of Missouri looks great, is inexpensive and has gifted level courses. Stanford costs a bunch more (if you opt for the high school rather than EPGY courses) but offers a community, clubs and a full program. I don't know the others, but there's also K-12 International Academy & 26 states have Virtual Charter Schools (free!), Aventa, APEX Learning, and probably lots of others. According to Forbes, within a decade, more students will be online students than those in classrooms. We have had good experiences with online classes in my family, though I think math is tough without someone "mathy" at home.

Do you plan to have your DS re-matriculate to school when he's older or have him complete his High School ed online/homeschool? This is key for us. In my district, if I want my kids to get a HS diploma, their policy is that they'll accept credits from up to 2 online courses, and really the only entity guaranteeing credit is from another state-certified high school. Maybe this policy will change, but that's how it's written currently. So you might want to check your district's policies if you plan to re-matriculate. Secondly, the other benefit we see from high school is sports, science club, french club. Our district won't let homeschoolers participate in extracurricular activities at the high school. Maybe this is not an issue for your DS, but I think my DS goes to school for French, soccer, and golf (sad to say)...and he's not even a big athlete!

I still consider the Homeschool option for my younger 2 DS's, so I'm not trying to discourage.

Cym

I don't want to make any absolute-engraved-in-stone decisions now, but our thinking is that he would do the whole thing online. That's why I'm only looking at accredited diploma granting programs. I looked at K12, but I specifically liked the university affiliated ones because of the potential for dual enrollment credits.

As for social issues, I wish that DS had other interests like your son's that gets him to go to school. Unfortunately, he does not. He is not anti-social, but he's not a big joiner either. Even if he went to high school, I don't see him in clubs, etc. Of course, puberty can change everything!

The math would be an issue, but he's had a tutor/teacher for a year now that comes once a week and that works out well, so I would probably continue with something like that. DS is very much a self- learner in most subjects. And he very much likes to work alone, which would be a big plus for online.

I guess the main concern is that while I know cyber learning is the way of the future, is it accepted by the colleges of today?


BTW, for those interested, Indiana University also offers an online high school and has an Honors diploma program that looks interesting.

Oh, Cym, your post reminded me...I have heard that some people have trouble with some of the online programs if they're inflexible about time. For certain programs, you must login at a set time every school day, which rather defeats one of the main attractions for homeschooling: the flexibiility. I know zilch about which programs are like this, but I have heard that some are. If you want the option for field trips, you might want to check on this so you don't get stuck with one that locks you in front of the computer for many hours per week, whether you need them or not.

I realize this is pretty vague...sorry!

Hi CFK, I think your reasoning for being associated with a diploma program and one through a university for dual enrollment is a good one. It sounds like a good fit for your son. I'd be interested in hearing the answer to your question about how colleges are accepting cyber learning.

Hi Kriston, we've taken both kinds of online courses. Self-paced math and specific time/virtual classroom for writing and another math. We've missed the classes because of a holiday or something, but can read the transcript so we don't lose out entirely. I have to say the interactive class was valuable--each of them only met once a week, so we didn't have such a hard time.

Sorry to be unclear. The kind of online course about which I've heard this criticism of is not the sort of course you're describing, Cym. I think you're right that if the reason you have to be at the computer at a set time is so you can talk to people, well, that's makes good sense! And that interaction would be extremely valuable. No question!

The kind of course I've heard criticized wants you at the computer at a certain time strictly to "clock in." There is no interaction with other people. You're just required to be on the computer when they tell you to be. It's more like a way to ensure that you're putting in your time than anything else. And as I understand it, it's a M-F deal, not once a week. So it is much more of a restriction, and for no immediately obvious good reason.

How do you do the lab work?