Table of Contents
Online learners get higher test scores
It’s no secret that more and more students are enrolling in online classes in lieu of traditional schools. “Between 2012 and 2016, the total number of students studying strictly on a physical campus dropped by more than 1 million, or 6.4 percent.” Online high schools and colleges offer benefits such as flexible scheduling, individual attention, and the ability to study at your own pace. Additionally, for students who are serious about getting their high school diploma online, testing statistics have been shown to be better for online students than students attending traditional public high schools. Now that most colleges are recognizing diplomas from accredited online high schools, you may be better off attending an online high school, like High School of America, rather than trying to do things the old-fashioned way.
How do Online Students Perform on Tests?
Testing statistics for online students vary depending on the student, but overall, they’re impressive. “Homeschooled students score, on average, ten to thirty percent better than their fellow students in the public-private brick and mortar schools at the same grade level. Homeschooled students also show to be above average in their leadership skills, have higher self-esteem, and are more likely to serve their community. All of these qualities are what colleges regularly look for when considering admission into their institution. These students also are more likely to score well on tests like the ACT and SAT.” Not all online students are homeschooled and not all homeschooled students use online courses, but overall, studies show that students who are using online courses at home perform better than their peers in testing.
The Research
Online learning is beneficial for students who thrive in an online environment
The US Department of Education did a research study evaluating evidence-based practices in online learning and discovered that not very much research had been performed on this subject in the past. They also concluded that there are too many variables to definitively declare whether or not online learning is better. Every child is different, learns differently, is raised in a different environment, and has different needs. That’s why online learning is beneficial for most, but not for everyone. The study concluded:
“Students in online conditions performed modestly better, on average, than those learning the same material through traditional face-to-face instruction. Learning outcomes for students who engaged in online learning exceeded those of students receiving face-to-face instruction… Interpretations of this result, however, should take into consideration the fact that online and face-to-face conditions generally differed on multiple dimensions, including the amount of time that learners spent on task. The advantages observed for online learning conditions, therefore, may be the product of aspects of those treatment conditions other than the instructional delivery medium per se.”
The Benefits of Online High School
Online high school could be for you, no matter your situation
When you think you have what it takes to study online as an alternative to regular high school, High School of America may be for you. With the flexibility that online education provides, not only could you excel in your test scores, you can also spend your free time participating in extracurriculars, jobs, and volunteering to become that much more qualified for your college of choice. Other than just wanting to perform better in school, these are some benefits of online learning and reasons that students choose to get a quality online education:
“For many students and families… it may be preferable to earn a high school diploma entirely online. Some students are unable to enroll at a brick-and-mortar school if a parent is in the military or works in an industry that requires the family to move frequently. Online education also appeals to young athletes, entertainers, actors, and musicians who need a curriculum that accommodates their busy schedules. While their education won’t be tied to a particular time or place, academic expectations will still be rigorous and will prepare the learner to graduate on time.
Students in rural areas may elect an online high school if a brick-and-mortar school is too far from home…Other students who find fully online programs appealing include those whose personal struggles — be they physical or emotional — have made attending a physical high school untenable. Chronically ill students, for example, may find it easier to complete their work online at a pace that allows for downtime and medical treatment. Students who are easily distracted, upset by bullying from peers, or in need of a great deal of one-on-one teaching may find an online environment is a better fit for them than a traditional classroom.”
High School of America
When alternate routes to high school success, such as online learning, appeal to you, High School of America could be the solution. Our accredited programs and high-quality staff will help you get better grades as you work at your own pace from wherever you want. All you need is a wi-fi connection and a desire to learn. Contact one of our advisors today to learn more and begin the application process.
