How Online Home Schooling can help you chart your child’s future

Reflecting upon times in the past when your child depended on you for practically everything is not uncommon among parents once they grow up to be independent. But no matter how you slice it, your responsibility toward your child as a parent never ends. Every parent is responsible for ensuring their child receives the right kind of education and has access to the maximum number of opportunities once they’re done with their education. While most parents find this to be uncharted territory, online schools in the United States are here to help you navigate your way through this trying phase of your life. Helping your child get his or her high school diploma is just the first step. That’s only going to get them through the door. As a parent, it is up to you to decide on what’s right for them and help them secure opportunities that will help them succeed in the future. Online education and distance learning are just tools to help you get there.

Online learning environments have proven to be very viable alternatives to traditional schooling methods especially in terms of costs involved and given the current economic crisis we've just managed to get ourselves out of, such platforms are proof of efficient solutions that will help put our children back on the right path to success. Earning a high school diploma isn't just about getting a degree; it’s about securing and attaining the required knowledge that will help your children chart a successful career path for themselves. Employers these days are looking for more than just a degree. They want to know what else it is that a person can bring to the table. If you’re thinking about equipping your child to be one of those students who makes it in the real world then you have got to consider the use of distance learning options.

In addition to being great for students and delivering the goods, online learning platforms offer parents and teachers versatile options to interact with students and monitor their progress on a consistent basis. Since physical presence is not required, parent-teacher meetings can be conducted online at the convenience of both, parent and teacher, and the modes of communication that can be employed too, offer you a number of choices. At the end of the day, you need to make sure your child is registered and enrolled with an accredited online school in the country since credentials play a very important role when it comes to college acceptance and job applications. Forest Trail Academy understands just how important these factors are to a child’s future, which is why our online school is fully accredited and registered with the Florida Department of Education.

If you’d like to know more about us, we’re just a click away. Log on to Forest Trail Academy today!

Know More About Accredited K-12 Courses:
 Online Elementary School Courses
Online Middle School Courses
Online Diploma Courses
Online High School Courses

Accredited Online High School for Your Child

Forest Trail Academy is one of the leading online high schools in USA. We offer online school courses in various subjects for students from Kindergarten through 12^th grade. At Forest Trail Academy, we pride ourselves in the knowledge we impart to our students and the methodology used in imparting that knowledge.

 
Online education is fast gaining ground as the preferred mode of learning. The number of high schools offering online school courses has soared in the past few years. Why? Clearly because of all the advantages an online learning environment offers over traditional schooling methods. No more crowded classrooms, no more boring lectures, a much better teacher-to-student ratio and the flexibility to learn at your own pace.

At Forest Trail Academy, we offer accredited online k-12 courses for all grades - Kindergarten through High School. Our teaching methods offer you everything a traditional school does – teachers, projects, homework, class discussions as well as tests to evaluate and monitor your child’s progress. We offer your child an encouraging environment to learn and develop skills that will be vital in school as well as at the workplace.

Homeschooling v/s Classroom Teaching

It’s no secret that students often find it hard to concentrate in a classroom based environment. Distractions are a common occurrence. Even parents complain about the low teacher-to-student ratio. This is where online homeschooling scores over the classroom. Students are free to apply for a varied number of courses as per their preference, and can study the subject material at their own pace.

It encourages a wholesome understanding of the subject and encourages children to focus on learning rather than just grades. Also, Tour teachers offer your child the dedicated attention that is needed, which can only be achieved through online learning. Our teachers are well qualified and are always available to help students overcome challenges they face.

Forest Trail Academy also offers you the freedom to express your opinion freely without the possibility of being ridiculed openly. This encourages individual thought and does not force children to conform to just one line of thinking. At Forest Trail Academy, we encourage our students to think independently and foster a sense of confidence that enforces lifelong learning.

Know More About Accredited K-12 Courses: 

• Online Elementary School Courses

• Online Middle School Courses

• Online High School Courses

Why Parents Shouldn't Be Afraid of Virtual Online High School for Their Kids?

There might be a handful of reasons why you might be skeptical of a virtual school for your child.However, on the contrary it has been seen that a virtual high school is a pretty good idea after all.

Here are some very common myths related to a virtual high school and which need to be debunked:

·         Online schools are easier than traditional schooling

Most of the instructors come up with highly-engaging ways to present the study material. Thus, it gets easier for students to hone their learning skills, gaining considerable self-discipline in course of time.This certainly does not imply that an online course is easier! It is just that online students get the chance and drive to channelize their focus entirely on their studies. Thus, online schooling is no easy on its own. It gets easy when you are diligent and serious enough!

·         Online courses are not accredited

Many parents have a misconception that online courses are anything but accredited! This is simply untrue. Just like traditional schools, there are some online schools too that are not accredited. Online high school courses need to meet the same high standards as on-ground courses in order to be certified. Almost all of the topmost online high schools are nationally and regionally accredited. You just need to be cautious at the time of making the selection for your online school.

·         A high school diploma is seldom recognized by colleges and employers

Many think that a high school diploma is never accepted by the top universities and employers. This is false. When an online diploma is accredited, it is always well-regarded. There might be some employers who need to be educated about online schools. However, there are many who instantly recognize that the skills students gain through virtual learning, such as time-management, are top-level in the workplace. In fact, in today’s times, an online degree can give you an edge. Almost all the colleges accept diplomas from accredited online high schools.

·         Online schools make children socially awkward

Well, this is nothing but a myth! Students get to talk to their online teachers via email, Skype, or chat. Most of the virtual high school courses include group projects.  It works wonders for all the shy introverts. These are the ones who feel shy about speaking up in a traditional classroom setting. They may have an easier time participating in online discussions.

Most of the accredited online schools make sure to provide a strong sense of community through active online community. They incorporate extracurricular activities that are fun yet educative.

In a genuine online school, students regularly socialize and interact with peers. The patterns of socialization for virtual learners are not so different from those students in a traditional school. Virtual students even are given the chance to go on field trips, and also socialize with adults in their schools, at home, and in the community.

The flexibility allowed by the virtual schools allows students to socialize outside. They actually get a good deal of free time to do so. After all, most of the online students get to finish their online work fast when compared to the traditional schools.

·         Online students spend all of their time in front of a computer

In case of any online school, the computer is a tool for teachers and parents. It is required to manage and track assignments, communicate, and deliver interactive curricular materials. However, it is a fact that students complete many assignments offline. They often spend time reading textbooks, using workbooks, reading library books, and doing hands-on science experiments in their down time period. This is just like they would in a traditional school.

·         Cheating is likely to occur at a Virtual High School

It is a fact that cheating can happen anywhere. However, certified teachers know how to keep two steps ahead of students who try to violate the honor system. This includes software programs that help recognize plagiarism.

·         Online learning is not led by teachers

The accredited online high school courses are usually led by certified teachers.In fact, parental involvement is not even required in most of the cases. Thus, online teachers are heavily involved in online courses. 

However, many report that they know their students better online than in a traditional classroom setting. Accredited online schools make sure to employ highly-qualified teachers. They are provided with special training as to how to deal with handling of a virtual classroom. They are trained to pay special heed to tailoring instruction to match students’ needs and learning styles.

In case of home-based virtual learning, students are mostly under the guidance of a certified teacher. A parent or other trusted adult has the opportunity to serve as a Learning Coach as well. They might decide to assist the child with day-to-day learning activities as needed.

Many online schools strive to provide a peaceful and nurturing environment where the teacher works directly with both the student and Learning Coach to develop an individual learning plan for the child.

·         An online student needs to be technically efficient

Well, it is true that an online student needs to be aware of the various online tools and resources in order to gain knowledge and work smoothly on their courses. But, just knowing the basics is all it needs. And the child need not be a pro right from the day one. Online schooling gives a good deal of time to every student to cope up and then take up speed.

Most importantly, most of the reputable virtual schools also take the curriculum and instruction very seriously for students, apart from the technology!

At the time of choosing a virtual school, look for a virtual school with a track record of delivering student academic achievement and high levels of parent and student satisfaction. Of course look for the accreditation from AdvancED, the faculty background, state-of-the-art technology resources and community activities, extracurricular activities, curriculum designs, customizability etc.