Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
While some students and families view summer as a break from school, others know that summer learning can help provide educational flexibility for their total school experience.
For many families, summers are full of adventure and activities. Some are heavily involved in individual or team sports. Others travel to visit friends and family or just to experience awesome places.
Perhaps on a trip to Yellowstone or even just camping in the Utah backcountry, you've thought: "This experience is great for my kids. They are learning so much while having a good time. It's too bad they can't get school credit for this."
Actually, they can with the flexibility offered by Utah Online School. And here is one example of how a student benefitted from UOS flexible learning options.
UOS flexibility allows pro soccer player to earn a diploma
"I signed my first professional soccer contract with Real Salt Lake, as a goalie, at age 17," Real Salt Lake player Jeff Dewsnup explained. "With two more years of high school ahead of me, UOS was the only way I could have signed the contract while completing my high school education."
Dewsup said one of the great things about UOS was the continuing support and guidance all students receive. "UOS offers mentors who are very helpful and give constant encouragement to keep progressing in your classes. I have really appreciated having the encouragement from the teachers and mentors, as well as the online pacing, to help me stay on task and where I need to be to complete each course," he said.
"I would tell other students that UOS is a great option for high school, for many reasons. Perhaps they just want to finish more quickly, or without having to attend in-person at a school. Or maybe they want to work during their final years of high school to save for college," Dewsnup said. "UOS provides a lot of flexibility for when you complete your classes, (without the scheduling issues of attending school in-person.) It's a great way to prepare for higher education as well. For me, it has allowed me to fulfill a dream in soccer that I couldn't have done at such a young age."
UOS achieves student success by tailoring learning to student needs with the support of certified teachers, adult mentors, and counselors. Best of all, UOS is an accredited public school, free to Utah students.
Learn anywhere and get school credit
With classes ranging from art history to hospitality and tourism to wildlife biology and forestry, the summer course offerings at Utah Online School are more like the options at a fun summer camp than the old style of summer school. And in many instances, summer activities can be coordinated with classes at UOS so students can earn high school credit.
For example, a family that is planning a beach vacation during the summer could coordinate with a class on marine biology or environmental science. Or a family that spends lots of time outdoors could match that with classes on outdoor recreation, geology, astrology, photography, etc. With nearly 70 course options (and a list that is always growing), there is almost always an opportunity for individual flexibility. Likewise, a student who plays summer sports can earn PE credit. Summer music lessons can earn music credit.
A jump start for learning
At UOS, students can start earning high school credit as early as seventh grade. Getting a head start on high school credits means increased flexibility in a future high school schedule. It can even make early graduation a possibility for students interested in that option.
At many Utah high schools, popular elective courses are often restricted to seniors or are filled by random selection because demand far exceeds available slots. That's not a problem at UOS. In fact, UOS offers far more courses than many boundary schools.
In addition to traditional subjects like reading, art, history and math, UOS has classes like computer science, programming, coding, world languages (20-plus), music (guitar, ukulele, music theory and more), wildlife and marine biology, honors courses and ACT prep.
Do you have a student who will be old enough to drive? UOS offers drivers education that includes the curriculum and simulator requirements.
Credit recovery courses are also available during the summer
If you have a student behind on credits or who wants a better grade on a course they've already taken, Utah Online provides those opportunities. Utah Online helps students recover failed credit needed for graduation. Students may sign up for credit recovery during the school year or during summer.
A record of success
Utah Online School serves more than 10,000 students each year with more than 150 teachers, counselors and staff. In over 15 years, the cumulative total of students served has exceeded 110,000. Those numbers continue to rise as parents seek ways to provide their children with the best available education.
Over that time UOS has achieved a course completion rate exceeding 90% and a graduation rate of more than 95%.
Teachers and staff at Utah Online School are highly qualified, licensed and certified. They are also passionate about helping students. Whether your student is seeking part-time, full-time or concurrent enrollment, Utah Online School has the experience and expertise to help them find educational success.
