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For students and parents, the start of a new school year brings excitement and anticipation. It can also create concerns as students try to schedule the classes they want and need and families try to figure out how to juggle school and extracurricular obligations.
For those who need educational flexibility to graduate early, to make up credits or to get the courses they want, Utah Online School can help. Fall enrollment is currently open at Utah's premier online school, serving K12 students with both full or part-time options.
Utah Online School is an accredited public school, free to Utah students.
Each year, thousands of Utah students benefit from the individualized educational opportunities at Utah Online School. Whether your child wants to attend a traditional school part-time or to take all their classes online, UOS has a solution that will work.
Here are examples of students who benefitted from Utah Online School's flexibility:
World-class archer
One student taking advantage of the flexibility of a Utah Online School schedule is Abby Winterton, who was 15 when she won her first national archery title. As a member of the U.S.Archery team, a rigorous competitive schedule made it difficult to meet all the requirements of a traditional school.
As a part-time student, Abby credited Utah Online School with allowing her to fit her schoolwork around her practice and competitions. She said she has been able to study on the road, at a friend's house and even in a park.
"Balancing school and archery has luckily been a pretty simple thing for me. All of my teachers have been super great to work with and have helped me the whole way," Abby said.
Middle school musician
Grey Nielson takes classes at Utah Online School so he can devote more time to music. He started to play guitar two years ago and his parents and music teachers quickly discovered he is something of a phenom.
Grey's mother, who happens to be a high school English teacher, recognized that a traditional school schedule was hindering rather than helping him. "The Utah Online School option means Grey can complete his classwork early, freeing up extended periods when Grey can practice his guitar without interruption," she said. "But we also wanted him to have some in-person learning, so we opted for a blended schedule."
A family solution
The Markhams have three students enrolled at Utah Online School as well as their local boundary schools.
London, a 7th grader, took advantage of the option to earn high school credit even though she is just started middle school.
In addition to school, Claire, a 9th grader, devoted about 20 hours a week to dance. She took UOS summer courses and extra classes throughout the year to get ahead so her schedule is more manageable throughout the year.
As an 11th grader, Lincoln was an avid golfer. To put in the time he needs to perfect his game, he spends several hours each day on the course. "He finishes high school in the morning and we see him before he heads out to the golf course to practice until it gets dark," mother Leslie Markham said.
A snowboarding dream for twins
Twin sisters Barrett and Devin Hendrix have been competing nationally in snowboarding since they were 8 years old. The competition requires extensive travel and lots of time on the snow. Utah Online School allows them the time and flexibility to compete, all while receiving a high-quality education that will lead to a diploma.
Barrett says winning the USASA Women's Open Class Slopestyle national championship was a highlight that might not have happened without the options provided by Utah Online School.
Gymnast can take classes anywhere
Emmaleigh Miller discovered her goal of becoming an elite gymnast conflicted with the rigid structure of regular high school.
"I chose UOS because of the flexibility it offers," Miller explains. "I'm able to do school at the gym, when I'm traveling for competitions, or at home whenever I want. Because of this flexibility, I'm able to put more time in at the gym without the stress of having to work around a traditional school schedule."
A record of success
Utah Online School serves more than 10,000 students each year with more than 150 teachers, counselors and staff. Now beginning its 17th year, over that time UOS has achieved a course completion rate exceeding 90% and a graduation rate of more than 95%.
Here are some other comments from students who found success at Utah Online School:
- "Utah Online School provided me with a wonderful support system and gave me the opportunity to work at my own pace so I could graduate a year early."
- "It has made it possible for me to have time and flexibility to start being an entrepreneur while still in school."
- "I loved being able to learn as much as I wanted with UOS, and take more courses than are provided in my local district. I also loved working on my schedule, and pace, which made learning easier, and more fun."
- "It has helped me so much with my GPA and being able to concentrate on the lesson not someone judging me because I have a resource teacher in class with me."
- "In the end, I was able to graduate early with nearly all my General Education college course credits."
Whether your student is seeking part-time or full-time enrollment, Utah Online School has the experience and expertise to help them reach their academic goals.
