Online middle schools are a popular choice among students looking to study at their own pace and convenience and from virtually anywhere in the world. Students in grades 6 to 8 can benefit from the self-paced learning platforms offered by online learning schools.
By offering a flexible, safe, and engaging learning environment, online middle schools are becoming the go-to options for several students, who find attending traditional middle schools difficult due to specific reasons or circumstances.
Who Can Benefit from Online Middle Schools?
At-Risk Students
Many students associate traditional middle schools with negative experiences, making attendance a daunting prospect. Being bullied or having experienced sexual harassment or physical violence at school could make them averse to even stepping inside the school premises, let alone studying there.
Falling back behind their peers in class and having poor academic performance could also make some students jittery and embarrassed. As a result, they detest attending traditional middle schools. Online middle schools can be a boon for all these students.
Studying from the safety and comfort of their homes removes the risk of negative in-person experiences that occur in traditional schools. Additionally, online middle schools give students the flexibility and convenience of understanding and mastering the course materials at their own pace and time, which reduces anxiety, embarrassment, and fear related to academic performance.
Students with Other Commitments
Students aiming to be sportspersons or athletes often need time to train and practice. Attending traditional middle schools with strict timing and routine often interferes with their training schedules, which makes balancing both quite difficult.
Students, who are child performers, and need to be on the sets to shoot their scenes too could find traditional middle schools difficult to attend due to their conflicting schedules. The rigid routines of traditional middle schools can be tough even for aspiring artists, actors, and those deeply involved in extracurricular activities, who have to devote significant time to practice, travel, and other requirements to meet their objectives.
Online schools can be the ideal solution for these students by letting them learn when it’s convenient and making the lessons and resources accessible 24/7. Getting enrolled in an online middle school can help these students pursue their passions without compromising their education.
Students in Overcrowded Traditional Middle Schools
Today, several traditional middle schools are overcrowded with high student-to-teacher ratios. This restricts the attention teachers can give their students, which adversely affects the quality of learning. Distractions and noise in an overcrowded classroom can also interfere with the learning process.
The self-paced learning platforms of online middle schools are just what these students need. Away from the distraction and pressure of overcrowded classrooms, students can study conveniently and even reach out to teachers, advisors, or success coaches when they require guidance.
The Ogburn School – Why Consider Its Online Middle School Courses?
Parents with children falling into any one of the categories mentioned above can get them enrolled in an online middle school of their choice. Those still undecided on which school to choose can consider The Ogburn School, which can help students build a suitable academic foundation to enjoy more diverse and independent learning experiences in high school.
Not sure what factors to look for in an online middle school? Here’s a checklist that The Ogburn School ticks, which makes it an excellent choice.
Accreditation
Parents must select an online middle school accredited by recognized organizations like the Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS), Cognia, and Accreditation International (Ai) as they help enhance the credibility of the school. Being approved by the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) can enhance the school’s trust factor further.
By selecting a regionally and nationally accredited online middle school in the U.S. like The Ogburn School, parents can ensure it meets specific educational standards and provides quality education recognized by colleges and employers.
Comprehensive Curriculum
Taking a close look at the school’s curriculum is crucial to make sure it meets the student’s academic needs. Online middle schools that offer a diverse range of courses can equip students with the knowledge and skills required to build a successful future.
The comprehensive curriculum of The Ogburn School is designed to cover a wide variety of subjects, including Science, Mathematics, English Language Skills (ELS), Social Studies, Language Arts, and Reading. By providing the students with creative educational options, the school promotes quality instruction and functional learning.
Study Materials & Technical System Requirements
To help students learn independently and flexibly at their own pace and convenience, a balanced blend of comprehensive lessons, structured study guides, and recorded video lectures should be on offer. Ease of access to the study materials and resources is equally crucial. Students will get them all at The Ogburn School.
When comparing online middle schools, parents must check the technical system requirements for accessing the learning platform of their short-listed schools. Ideally, the courses should be easily available and accessible 24/7.
Students should also have the flexibility to use a laptop, desktop, or tablet to access the courses. If specific software and hardware work best with a school’s curriculum, parents and students need to be made aware of them. The Ogburn School facilitates all these to ensure its students get high-quality education in a safe and flexible learning environment.
Teacher and Support Staff
The learning experience offered by an online middle school is largely dependent on its teachers and support staff. Certified and experienced teachers who are adept at engaging students via the online learning platform and provide guidance and support, when needed, can help make online middle school learning rewarding.
At The Ogburn School, a rock-solid team of certified and dedicated teachers are supported by seasoned instructors, administrative professionals, learning coaches, course designers, academic guidance counselors, admissions specialists, testing managers, success coaches, admissions directors, a registrar, and other support staff. The entire team works tirelessly to deliver safe, high-quality, and flexible learning to the students.
Cost
Typically, online middle schools cost less than their traditional counterparts. However, some schools can have additional charges for application and registration, course materials, proprietary learning system software, and supplementary study resources. Parents should carefully assess the total cost of online middle school education and ask if they will have to bear additional costs.
With The Ogburn School, parents won’t need to worry about sudden or surprising additional costs. By staying true to its goal of providing affordable quality education to its students, this school offers a range of payment plans and discounted tuition rates to make online middle school tuition affordable for all.