Flexibility for Ballet but Academic Challenge for College
When we were looking at online schools after Eddy decided to attend a pre-professional ballet program, I [Colby] evaluated a few of them. In the end I selected Oaks Christian Online for the continuity it had to her in-person schooling, but I was very happy I selected it for different reasons once I watched Eddy go through the program.
Making Connections
Specifically, I really appreciated the spiritual guidance OC Online gave Eddy. It wasn’t a criteria for me when evaluating online schools, but I am grateful that Eddy is well prepared for college emotionally as well as academically. Eddy shares, “I was surprised that I was able to connect and develop a relationship with the teachers online. Given the remote nature of online schooling, I expected it to be more impersonal, but I actually developed relationships with some of my online teachers that were as close as my in-person teachers.”
I appreciated how much the program was helping Eddy figure out who she is and what her core values are so that when she goes to college, she has a clear understanding of her center and can be reminded of that if/when she gets distracted or finds herself lost in the future.
I really also liked the spiritual advisement and how thoughtful the school is in preparing students mentally for the next stage in life. There were some questions and assignments they asked Eddy through the Spiritual Life program that have been really thoughtful in preparing her for college. Describing this Eddy shares, “the foundation my Bible classes gave me…helped shape how I look at the world.” I hope to emulate some of these with my two younger children as I don’t think most in-person schools do this as well as I observed through Eddy’s OC Online experience.
Online Distinctives
OC Online offers a rigorous academic environment, the opportunity to build community with other online students, and is an environment where the teachers and school are aiming to help shape students’ character so that they are positive contributors to their community once they graduate.
For example, I was really glad OC Online had deadlines on coursework but also allowed flexibility if Eddy had dance conflicts that were communicated to the school. It kept her on pace but then had flexibility when she specifically needed it. They have thought about the dynamic of students being home working independently and aimed for other forms of human engagement in a way that still provides for schedule flexibility; “the structure helps you stay on pace with the demanding workload, but the administration also works with you when you need flexibility on the deadlines”, shares Eddy
I thought the coursework was thoughtful particularly given the nature of online, asynchronous learning. I appreciated how the teachers aimed to incorporate different modes of learning by periodically assigning special projects or requiring chat board discussion participation or through assignments that required students to reach out to each other on a topic – as a few examples. Eddy shares: “The coursework is definitely demanding. In my situation where I was dancing more than 20 hours a week, I had to make sure to stay on top of the coursework to not fall behind. I was also well-prepared for some of my AP exams, like AP English Literature.”
Overall, I think OC Online offers a great, wholistic solution for students who need the flexibility offered by online schooling.
