Is your student thriving with remote learning? A checklist for switching to a virtual school

One day last March, millions of students came home from public and private schools not knowing they wouldn’t go back for months, if not a year. Families from diverse backgrounds were suddenly sharing the same experience full of uncertainty and the need to navigate unknowns.

Regardless of their diverse social and economic circumstances, parents were asking the same questions. How do I support my student with at-home learning while balancing my job, providing non-stop meals, and addressing the safety and well-being of our family?

When the pandemic abruptly disrupted in-person education last year, many school districts quickly provided access to remote learning. If your student already had a school-issued tech device like an iPad or Chromebook, the transition from in-person to online learning was perhaps slightly easier than it was for students who hadn’t been previously been connected with school via a computer or tablet.

Not surprisingly, some students who were already fluent with technology and had reliable access to the internet prior to the pandemic adapted to distance learning more quickly than others. However, there is also a new wave of students who’ve had the opportunity to experience digital learning like never before. Students from both groups are discovering that they prefer remote learning to attending school in-person, and many are not just coping, they’re thriving.

Many virtual students share personality traits that make them especially successful with online learning, but any student can develop the skills that are necessary. If you’re considering the switch to a full-time virtual school, you’re probably considering whether your student is cut out for it. Here are some questions to ask yourself. Is your student:

• Curious? When students are consistently asking “why?” and “how?” they will develop a love of learning whether they’re in a brick-and-mortar classroom or a virtual one.
• An independent worker? Students who enjoy working at their own pace without distraction usually find virtual school refreshing.
• Organized? If your student has developed systems for keeping their schoolwork organized whether using a planner, reminders on their phone, or a dry erase board, they will be more successful with virtual learning.
• Tech savvy? Chances are that your student has been using online learning tools like Google Classroom or Canvas. If they’ve navigated them fairly easily, they’ll do well with a digital curriculum.
• Self-motivated? If your student does their schoolwork without you having to manage them, they’ll thrive in a virtual school.
• Not afraid to ask for help? Attending a virtual school doesn’t mean your student will be completely alone. Quality online private schools provide access to teachers and tutors for real-time help.
• Distracted or anxious at in-person school? Sometimes these students are the ones who excel because they can relax and focus on schoolwork in the comfort of their home.
• Consistent? Students who pace themselves and don’t procrastinate do best in both in-person and virtual learning environments.
• Socially engaged outside of school? As you’ve probably discovered, learning remotely doesn’t have to be isolating. Participating in activities outside of school and maintaining friendships will help your student stay connected when they’re not doing schoolwork.

Deciding if a full-time virtual school is right for your child is a big decision and it can help to talk about the unique needs of your family. We chat with parents all the time to help them weigh the advantages of different learning scenarios including full-time virtual school and supplemental online learning.