There are more choices than ever for students looking to get a quality education these days. With a global pandemic forcing schools around the world to experiment with distance learning, parents have discovered what we here at Sterling Academy have known all along: online courses can — and do — provide opportunities for robust and effective instruction, negating neither quality nor substance during their students’ quest for academic exposure. Because of this, more students than ever are considering non-traditional educations, mixing and matching (and even replacing) classes from brick and mortar institutions with online options to create customized programs that not only meet curriculum standards but that appeal to students’ individual passions. Some of the most sought-after classes are online high school English courses. Whether needed to fulfill a core credit requirement for graduation or used to further explore a literary interest, online high school English courses are a great way for students to develop reading skills, build their vocabularies and improve their writing. Here are three tips for getting the most out of an online high school English class experience:
Make Sure the Course is Offered by an Accredited Institution
Online high school English courses can be just as rigorous as traditional, in-person ones, but you need to make sure they’re offered from an accredited school. Accreditation ensures that a school is providing quality instruction and meets certain standards while being the first step in ensuring students get the most out of an online experience. Sterling Academy, for instance, is accredited by Cognia through the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools (SACS). We have been reviewed by a team of educators who verify that we have a demonstrated purpose and direction; high-quality leadership; the necessary tools for teaching and assessment; appropriate resources and support; and processes for continual improvement.
Eliminate Distractions
Online high school English courses, like other fundamental classes, demand concentration. Learning to evaluate words for new meaning, thinking creatively and discussing thoughts and ideas necessarily require focus. To get the most from an online high school English class, students need to set aside time where they can work without distractions, turning off the TV and removing themselves from the hustle of the home so that they are able to concentrate on the tasks at hand. Making a point to be organized will also help eliminate unnecessary diversions (like having to go find pens and paper or forgetting the location of a book).
Take Advantage of Available Resources
One of the many benefits of online high school English courses is the flexibility they offer when it comes to schools partaking in asynchronous learning. Online schools are superb at supplying a variety of resources to facilitate learning of all types, and students should take advantage of them all if they want to get the most out of an online high school English course. At accredited institutions like Sterling Academy, students are encouraged to work at their own pace, meet with their teachers when necessary and explore side interests that occur during the course of their work. We also have students from all over the world who, when engaged, expose themselves to diverse thoughts and cultures not often available in traditional schools. Making use of all the resources available to them while taking an online high school English course ensures students have a much more robust learning experience.
Want to Learn More?
For additional information on online high school English courses or the other types of online classes available for middle or high school students, please contact Sterling Academy. Our curriculum covers a wide range of core and elective options for children in the 6th to 12th grades, making it easy for students to jump right in to an online academic experience no matter their age.
