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Traditional schools are fading away. More parents and students are choosing online schools. We’ll see what parents consider when choosing the best online elementary school for their child.
Online elementary school is a school where students in grades K-5 learn through the internet. Students complete assignments, attend virtual classes, and interact with teachers from home instead of going to a physical school. We’ll look at the pros and cons of online school, how it works, and how to pick the best one.
Benefits and Challenges of Online Elementary School
Online elementary schools offer numerous advantages. We covered ten key advantages of online elementary school in the article “Advantages of Online Elementary School“.
Parents need to think about both the pros and cons. We explored ten drawbacks of online education in the article “Overcoming Challenges in Online Elementary School”.
How Online Elementary Schools Operate?
Parents need to understand how online elementary school works to support students at every step. We’ll cover six key points for parents. These points help them see what to focus on to overcome challenges in online education for students.
Online Elementary School Curriculum
Online elementary school curriculum is a program covering core subjects. These subjects include math, reading, science, and social studies. The curriculum includes interactive resources and virtual assignments in addition to these core subjects.
Parents make sure the school’s curriculum meets state and national standards so the education is widely recognized. Resources like the U.S. Department of Education and state education department websites help parents check if the curriculum meets standards. Parents consider their child’s interests and see if the school offers enough electives like art, music, and coding.
Teaching Methods
Teachers use a variety of methods to engage students. These methods include live virtual lessons, interactive activities, and recorded lectures. Teachers encourage project-based learning, critical thinking, and problem-solving through educational software. We reviewed some of the methods teachers use in the article “K-12 Online Teaching Methods”.
Online Learning Platform
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Parents, Take Note
The research “The Use of an Online Learning Platform: A Step Towards E-Learning” was conducted by P. Mashau and J. Nyawo. The study surveyed 212 students, with 107 completing questionnaires. The study found 66% of students used online platforms for assessments and discussion forums. 82% of students faced challenges completing assessments on time. The study highlights the need to improve students’ digital literacy and enhance infrastructure to support e-learning.
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Most online schools use platforms like Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams, or Canvas. These platforms help them manage assignments, lessons, and communication. Parents and students learn how to use these platforms. Schools offer help if students have trouble using these platforms.
Online Elementary School Classes
Virtual classes are held using video conferencing tools like Zoom or Google Meet. These tools allow screen sharing, group discussions, and even breakout rooms for small group activities. Students join live sessions where they interact with teachers and peers in real time.
Parents help students install the tools and check the video and audio quality is good. Parents use Zoom Support and Google Meet Help to fix technical problems.
Interaction with Teachers and Peers
“But why is communicating with parents important? It is a critical foundation to the success of the school because, let’s face it, if the parents are not happy they are quite at ease with changing schools for their children – not a good scenario for either the school or the child. Plus – it is common respect”
Amelia Eagle, LinkedIn
Online schools encourage strong communication between students, teachers, and classmates. Teachers provide one-on-one support through virtual office hours, emails, or chat systems.
Parents talk with teachers and encourage students to interact with their peers. Some students are shy and avoid socializing. Parents need to stay involved and help students with these challenges.
Technology and Tools
Students need a computer or tablet, internet access, and educational apps. Schools recommend tools to help students stay organized and engaged.
Parents need to support their child by providing the right equipment. They create a quiet workspace, monitor screen time, and help students with any tech issues. Parents check on a student’s progress regularly. They stay in touch with teachers to help students manage the learning process and issues.
Choosing the Right Online Elementary School
Parents look at a few key factors to ensure their child gets a quality education and well-rounded experience. We’ll cover five main areas parents focus on.
Accreditation and Recognition
Make sure the school is accredited by a recognized agency. Accreditation guarantees quality education and makes sure credits are recognized. Check accreditation through Cognia or the U.S. Department of Education.
Legacy Online School is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The diploma from Legacy Online School is widely accepted.
Teacher Qualifications
Investigate the qualifications of the teaching staff. Ensure teachers are certified and experienced in online education. Check the school’s student-to-teacher ratio to ensure your child will receive individualized attention and support.
Legacy Online School has certified, skilled teachers from diverse cultural backgrounds. Students worldwide are happy with the online education from Legacy Online School. Check their reviews on the school’s website.
Curriculum Offerings
Check the school’s curriculum to make sure it meets government standards and covers core subjects. These subjects include math, reading, science, and social studies. Many online schools offer electives and enrichment programs to support a child’s overall development.
Check school’s curriculum details through Common Core Standards and individual school websites.
Legacy Online School offers an accredited curriculum for elementary school. Legacy Online School’s curriculum covers core subjects. This curriculum includes live teaching in small groups for personalized attention.
Legacy Online School’s curriculum won “The Best Homeschool Curriculum, Products & Resources!“ award. This win shows the school’s strong focus on quality, innovation, and helping students succeed.
Support Services and Extracurricular Activities
Look for schools offering robust support services. These services include extracurricular activities and clubs, tutoring, counseling, and tech support. Access to extracurricular activities and clubs enhances the overall learning experience and helps students with social development.
Legacy Online School offers students extracurricular activities, clubs, and career and college counseling. Legacy Online School has clubs like Coding, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), Art, and Language and Culture. Legacy Online School provides Advanced Placement (AP). Students join these activities, get support from Legacy Online School’s teachers, and succeed.
Flexibility and Schedule Options
Check if the school offers flexible scheduling to accommodate your child’s learning style and family needs. Some schools allow students to complete lessons at their own pace, while others have a structured timetable with mandatory live classes.
Legacy Online School offers both options. Students follow a structured schedule or work more independently. This flexibility allows students to choose what works best for their needs and family circumstances.
Conclusion
Online elementary school is a good option for many students. We covered the pros, cons, and how online elementary school works. This helps parents decide if online school is right for their child. We gave tips on picking the best online school. Parents use this information to help their child succeed in online learning.
