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A day in the life of online school for Gabbie and Josh with Elmater (mom and Learning Coach).

Favorite Subjects: Math, Vocabulary
Hobbies: Art, Dance

Favorite Subjects: History, Science
Hobbies: Science Fairs

Why K12?

Elmater wanted an option that would challenge her advanced students academically. Online school powered by K12 allows for Gabbie and Josh to work at their own pace. This gives Gabbie more time to work on her writing and Josh more time to work on his science experiments and award-winning science fair presentations.

Live Classes and
Assignments

Schoolwork for Gabbie and Josh is a mix of scheduled, live classes called Class Connect sessions, self-guided offline assignments, and extra educational activities their mom and Learning Coach, Elmater, helps arrange for them.

For example, a typical day may have Josh starting with a live math class led by his state-certified teacher, followed later in the day by have self-guided lessons for history (he’s learning about early civilizations) and World War II reading for Language Arts. If he gets stuck, his mom is there to help him as well as his sister as she goes through her work for the day.

A typical day for Gabbie may start with vocabulary practice and a writing exercise and then include live math and science classes later. She, Josh, or Elmater can ask the teacher questions in the live classes, via email, or during weekly office hours.

A benefit of schools powered by K12 is that the educational materials—a computer, textbooks, supplies for offline activities, and more—are provided.

Family Schedule

Learning Coaches typically spend between 4 to 6 hours each day with 3rd grade and other elementary school students like Gabbie, providing guidance and oversight. Middle schoolers like Josh tend to be more independent so the time expectation changes to 1 to 3 hours per day and is more verification that students are on track.

Elmater spends more one-to-one time with Gabbie since she’s an energetic 3rd grader who needs more reminders to take breaks and refocus. With Josh being in 8th grade, more of the hands-on component has shifted to him so her role is more to make sure things get done. She says this is good training for both of them—for him to start becoming an even more independent learner and person.

Student Schedule

Family

Gabbie

Josh

Q & A with Elmater

Why did you switch to online school?

The traditional schools seemed to have the curriculum in a box, where everyone had to fit into that box. It wasn’t focused on the individual child.

I wanted a more student-focused option for my children, an option where they could work at their own levels and take more advanced courses.

Curriculum

The number of classes students take varies per grade level and individual. For example, students in 8th grade like Josh typically take between 5–6 subjects each semester, with maybe 2–4 of those requiring scheduled, live classes. For elementary school students like Gabbie, it may be between 4–6 subjects, with 2–4 of those requiring live classes.

The other subjects are completed via self-guided assignments and skills labs in the K12 interactive online learning system.

In addition to core academic subjects like English, math, science, and social studies, K12-powered schools have a great selection of electives, including career exploration in some middle schools.

Classes schedules may vary considerably based on the individual student and their needs, state, and any special programs.

SEE HOW OUR CURRICULUM IS DEVELOPED

Q & A with the Family

Why do you like online school?

Elmater: I am quite happy with K12. My children are learning how to learn. They’re becoming more independent and we can tailor our approach more for both Gabbie and Josh’s learning.

So, for example, they can both move more quickly through their math lessons. Then Gabbie can take more time in writing skills and Josh can take more time with history reading because they save time working through math.

I can tailor the day for their personalities too, not just their academics. So Gabbie is more energetic and wants to be involved in everything. Josh is calmer and to himself. Online school lets me take breaks with Gabbie or make her tea in a fancy cup while allowing Josh do his work and check in on his progress.

Gabbie: I like online school because you don’t have any distractions.

I like being able to take breaks with my brother too. We like to go on walks or ride bikes together.

Josh: The biggest thing for me is that I can work at my own pace to get through lessons so I can move through things faster.

I don’t have as much homework as I used to because I get my assignments done during the school day. That all gives me more free time that I can use to do my experiments, write up my data, and get outside more.

Advanced Academics

The ability to personalize each student’s learning allows advanced children to move through schoolwork more quickly and take classes at their academic level.

Josh says he’s continuously challenged in his online school now, especially with math where his teacher gives him extra assignments to push him. One of the main impacts Elmater has noticed since switching to online school is the boost in academic confidence for both her children now that they are at a school that matches their potential.

Q & A with the Family

Was there anything that surprised you about online school?

Josh: I talk to my friends from my old school, and they’re surprised by the types of stuff I’m already learning. It’s like I’m further ahead in school now.

The whole science fair experience surprised me too. I wasn’t expecting my project to make it so far, you know, to the national level.

Elmater: I’m continuously surprised by how much I get out of my children being in online school.

It is fulfilling to be a part of their learning, and I’ve also taken on more for my own lifelong learning. I’m taking a few online world language courses now.

Teacher Support and Communication

Teachers at online schools powered by K12 are state-certified and dedicated to their students and their Learning Coaches.

Teachers are available via email and phone for extra support, and Elmater even has her own live Class Connect office hours with her children’s teachers.

Josh’s favorite teacher is one of his former science teachers, who helped him develop his award-winning science fair project on solar panels. The teacher still keeps in touch, offering motivation and assistance even though Josh isn’t in their class anymore.

Q & A with the Family

What is it like doing school at home with your whole family; how do you navigate all that as the Learning Coach?

Elmater: To me, being Josh and Gabbie’s Learning Coach is simply another part of parenting.

I don’t think it makes me special. I’ve learned so much from working with my children in their learning. We also take field trips to local parks or playgrounds with other families when we can.

Gabbie: Mom makes learning fun for me.

Social Time

Gabbie and Josh have the benefit of a neighborhood where lots of the kids are friends.

Josh has friends over to play basketball outside. Gabbie and her friends take walks together and play games. Their mom says, sometimes it feels like the whole community is hanging out in their backyard. They each have their physical activities too. Josh is a swimmer, Gabbie does ballet and hip-hop dance, and they both play golf.

Q & A with the Family

Do you have any advice for families that might be considering online school?

Elmater: Don’t make it harder than it is and don’t be bashful in asking questions.

K12-powered schools give you a lot of resources, your daily class schedules and assignments, and all the materials your kids need to do their work. You also have your own village of support in the teachers and other Learning Coaches. I’ve learned that my knowledge is enough to guide my children in the right direction. You can do it too.

Gabbie: You’re going to have fun. You can make friends.

Josh: My advice would be to relax and look for the good side.

I was worried at first because I wasn’t going to be around other kids all day besides Gabbie. Once I got used to online school, I saw how much more free time I had, and that was worth it to me. Plus, I still get to see and talk to my friends.

More Q & A with the Family

What do your breaks look like during the day?

Elmater: I like the school class schedule because it is flexible enough to take the breaks my children need throughout the day. That helps teach them that, yes, frustrations happen, and you can take a minute to regroup, but the work still needs to get done by the end of the day or end of the week. It helps them learn how to self-regulate and get back on task. That’s an essential set of skills they weren’t learning in their old schools.

Gabbie: Well, I like to do a lot of different things for breaks. I like to dance. Sometimes I want to make tea with mom or play piano with Josh. Other times I want to be outside, so we’ll go for a walk or sit on the front porch.

Josh: We have a basketball hoop outside and when I get frustrated by something in class, I like to go out after and play for a bit. It helps me relax so I can think about the concept or problem differently. Sometimes my friends will come over to play basketball, which is fun.