Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
What's it really like to be a teenager learning from home? Students from Mountain Heights Academy shared their honest thoughts on online school and how it's shaping their daily lives.
More time for what matters
Online school gives teens time to focus on the things they really care about: passions, work and new hobbies.
If you ask a Mountain Heights Academy student what their favorite thing about online school is, most will say the same thing: flexibility. Because everyone loves getting more time back in their day.
Lauren, a Mountain Heights Academy 2025 grad and Level 10 gymnast competing in the highest level of the U.S. Gymnastics Junior Olympic Program, shared, "My favorite thing is the flexibility that I have with it. I am a level 10 gymnast; I can still fit in my training … I can [also] get things done whenever I have the time."
And Abram, a 10th grader, simply said, "I like the freedom of it. I like being able to just do my work and for the rest of the day, do whatever."
Mountain Heights Academy creates a supportive environment where students are able to enjoy life to the fullest. Students have been able to explore all kinds of passions, from taking fencing lessons and caring for rabbits to starting Krav Maga classes. If your teen has an interest — or a curiosity they're dying to scratch, online school may be for them.
Teachers who make a difference
Can your teen name a favorite teacher? Mountain Heights Academy students definitely can.
Sofia, a Mountain Heights Academy alumnus, said, "Probably my favorite thing about MHA is the faculty. These teachers have been so incredible and inspiring. It's an amazing experience to be able to get to know the teachers at a new level and to be really known by the teachers — not just one or two, but the majority of my teachers!"
In a traditional school environment, teachers have to spend the majority of their time teaching the same lesson over and over again to different groups of students, with little time or space for customization, questions or mentoring.
But at Mountain Heights Academy, teachers have flexible schedules and are able to host up to four office hours each school day, where their only focus is helping individual students and getting to know their personalities, learning needs and interests.
Connection with peers, and preparation for the future
While attending Mountain Heights Academy, Courtnie, a 12th grade student, has had the chance to be a student leader for Girl Talk (an MHA club) and an officer for the National Honor Society. She's also a member of Hope Squad and recently participated in MHA's Washington D.C. Seminar — an annual event where approximately 20 students in grades 10-12 travel to Capitol Hill to understand history, meet with elected officials and learn powerful lessons about civic engagement.
"I love how MHA has options for students to get involved and interact," Courtnie said.
Mountain Heights offers more than 20 different academic, leadership, fine arts and other clubs, as well as field trips, a back-to-school carnival, service-learning activities, formal dances and more. And in Utah, online school students can try out for sports at their local boundary school.
Mountain Heights Academy also gives students many options to prepare for their future through a free ACT "bootcamp," annual college tours to colleges throughout the state, internship credits, honors classes and concurrent enrollment at local colleges. Its diploma is also accepted by any college or university.
"My academic success ended up taking a 180-degree turn," Ben, a recent alumnus, said. "Had it not been for Mountain Heights Academy, college would have been out of the equation for me."
Helps Utah teens thrive
If your teenager is feeling held back, misunderstood, frustrated or lost with their current school, online learning could be the change they need. Mountain Heights Academy has been helping students in grades 7-12 thrive since 2009. Part-time enrollment for fall has closed, but full-time enrollment is open until Monday, Aug. 25 at 3 p.m.."
Mountain Heights Academy is an accredited, tuition-free online school for Utah students in grades 7-12. With its flexible curriculum, accessible teachers and college-preparatory classes, Mountain Heights Academy has been developing connected and successful learners since 2009. Learn more at https://mountainheightsacademy.org/.
