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When summer school is discussed among Utah Online staff, there is an excitement that is tangible.
Utah Online School offers a robust variety of free summer classes. With these courses, students can get ahead on credits and enjoy extra flexibility in their regular school year schedule. This means more time for extracurricular activities, concurrent enrollment, internships, and anything else.
As an example, consider the Johnston family who live in a rural area in southern Utah. They have four children and the two oldest are enrolled in Utah Online School classes.
"As a mom, I have loved the opportunity Utah Online presents my children even though we live in a rural setting because it opens the door for them to choose from dozens of course offerings- many of which are courses their local boundary school can't offer," explains mother Meagan Johnston, who is also a STEAM teacher. "Plus, as they choose courses they are interested in, they stay focused and engaged in their learning."
Because her oldest boys Mason and Wrigley enjoy outdoor activities, Meagan says she enrolled them in the Utah Online School outdoor recreation class.
She says, "They were able to use all of the outdoor activities that we participated in during the summer to meet the physical requirements of that course such as hiking, swimming, kayaking, etc. This summer they are planning to take wildlife biology together because it sounds interesting to them.
"I like sticking to some sort of schedule to keep their minds active during the summer. Since my kids were little we have participated in learning activities throughout the summer such as math fact games, library days, visiting museums, etc.," Meagan says. "Now that they are older, they participate in UOS classes during the summer and even during the school year to meet their needs and interests and to create more flexibility in their schedule during the school year. It also gives them an opportunity to have some structured time during the summer and to keep their minds active and learning."
Early graduation and educational flexibility
Mason Johnston says the foods class was his favorite so far at Utah Online School. But having fun isn't the primary reason he attends.
"It allows me to get more credits so I can graduate early." Mason says he loves woodworking. "I'm currently in the process of creating an Etsy shop called Rugged Woodworking UT to sell handcrafted cutting boards that are made using one solid piece of wood with no glues, stains, or plastics," he explains. "Because I will have most of my credits done by the time I'm a senior, I am planning on attending our local technical college as a senior to earn a certificate that will help me build my business so that once I'm graduated I already have a skill set to use to make money."
Younger brother Wrigley says his motivation for taking UOS summer classes is to complete required classes "so that I can have more time for fun electives in high school."
The benefits of online learning are not restricted to families in rural areas of the state. In 2011, the Utah Legislature approved a Statewide Online Education Program that allows eligible students to earn middle school and high school graduation credit through the completion of publicly funded online courses.
Many parents and students don't realize that the program allows students in any district in the state to create a personalized education plan that combines in-person and online courses. Taking advantage of this option provides families flexibility in scheduling and curriculum as well as the opportunity to earn high school credits.
And as a Utah public school, UOS classes are free to Utah students.
With 16 years of experience providing online learning and serving more than 10,000 students annually, UOS plays a leading role in providing critical education to students throughout the state.
UOS is fully accredited, has NCAA approval and the teachers are certified and highly qualified educators.
Open enrollment for both summer and fall semesters is currently underway. In addition, students can enroll for grade replacement or credit recovery courses.
Even with the current school year underway, students have options for taking courses from UOS while still attending their local school. No matter the situation, UOS can support the needs of students through its expansive course offerings and supportive learning environment.
Grade replacement
Sometimes life brings unexpected events that interfere with students' learning and ability to maintain their GPA and academic goals. Luckily, Utah allows students to replace grades on their transcripts through the grade replacement program.
By enrolling with Utah Online School, students can replace courses when it works best for their schedule.
To ensure your student follows the correct procedure for grade replacement at their boundary school, they will need to speak with their counselor.
Credit recovery
For students who struggle or fail classes in school, UOS offers credit recovery to help students across the state get back on track for graduation.
While it's available all year, summer is a great time to take advantage of the credit recovery program. For a flat $50 fee, students can recover as many recovery courses as they can complete during a nine-week session. As soon as a course is complete, they can start a new one, which allows students the opportunity to complete courses as quickly as they master the concepts.
Schools across the state trust Utah Online School and routinely refer students seeking makeup or original credit.
A tried-and-true option for online education
If the idea of online and in-person blended education is appealing, but you don't know where to start, Utah Online School has perfected the process.
UOS serves 10,000-plus students yearly with more than 150 teachers, counselors and staff. In more than 16 years, the cumulative total of students served has exceeded 110,000. Along the way, UOS has achieved a course completion rate exceeding 90% and a graduation rate of more than 95%.
Learn anywhere with UOS and get school credit
With nearly 70 course options and a list that is always growing, there is almost always an opportunity for individual flexibility.
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 Utah Online School. In fact, Utah Online School offers far more courses than many boundary schools.
In addition to traditional subjects like reading, art, history and math, Utah Online School has classes like forensic science, computer programming, coding, world languages (20-plus), music; guitar, ukulele, music theory and more, wildlife and marine biology, fashion design, honors courses and ACT prep and drivers education.
Utah Online School promotes student success by tailoring learning to student needs with the support of certified teachers, adult mentors, and counselors.
Enroll today in Utah's premier online school, serving K12 students with both full and part-time options. Utah Online School is an accredited public school, free to Utah students.
