How to Transfer to an Online School Mid-Year

December 16, 2024

Once you’ve decided to make the change to a new school, it’s time to look at how to smoothly transfer from public school to online school. Our blog post provides helpful steps, and don’t forget to download and print our PDF checklist to keep yourself on track when making the transition!

Now that the school year is halfway done, your child might be feeling frustrated in their current school for a number of reasons. If you’ve discussed alternatives, online school probably came up as an option. A number of factors could impact the decision to transfer from public school to online school mid-year. These might include:

• A more flexible schedule that accommodates the student’s interests, passions, or talents, or your family’s lifestyle
• Personalized learning that focuses on each student’s specific needs
• A safer and more inclusive place to learn without anxiety or fear
• A greater variety of courses that set students up for post-graduation success
• Accelerated learning options for gifted students
• Opportunities to learn independently through innovative means

If you’ve discussed any of these scenarios or have contemplated the question, “Is switching to online school worth it?”, then transferring to online school is a decision you should seriously consider.

Why?

Because it addresses every point mentioned above. Switching to online school gives you the schedule flexibility, the tailored learning, the safe environment, the expanded course selection, the accelerated learning path, and the self-directed learning that public schools simply can’t offer. And yes, you can switch schools during the year!

Once you’ve decided to make the change, it’s time to look at how to smoothly transfer from public school to online school. You can also track the steps you need to take when switching to online school mid-year using our handy checklist. Download it here!

1. Research potential online schools

Google “online schools” and you will find countless options. But not all online schools are created equal. Let’s look at some of the more important items to consider before you decide to enroll in online school.

What school criteria is most important to you?

Plenty of websites offer some courses and call themselves an “online school.” But your education is way too important to settle for anything less than a high-quality online school that provides the following:

• Accreditation: Accreditation should be one of the top considerations when researching educational options. Enrolling in an accredited private school ensures that students receive a high-quality education that has been accepted nationally and internationally. If you’re not familiar with accreditation, the process ensures that schools meet demanding educational and operational standards, and shows schools, colleges, and universities worldwide that credits were earned through rigorous, standards-based curriculum.
• Curriculum: If one of the online schools on your list offered 30 courses and another offered 300, which would you choose? Students love a diverse menu of courses, so most would probably go with the school that has the more expansive catalog. A wide selection of course offerings allows students to pursue a well-rounded education that will serve them well beyond high school. Additionally, you might want to find an online school that offers challenging Advanced Placement^® and Honors courses, NCAA- and University of California a-g-approved college prep courses, and dual enrollment for students wanting to get a head start on college.
• Student support: Switching to online school means more independent learning…but it doesn’t mean you’re completely on your own! A reputable online school will provide all the support students need to achieve their academic goals. Look for schools that offer academic coaches, advisors, and live teachers who regularly hold office hours to ensure you’re getting all the support you need to succeed.
• Costs/scholarships: Sticking to a budget and receiving a high-quality education are both important–and it is actually possible to have both. Research the costs of the schools on your list as well as the must-haves you need in an online school, then determine the value. If you’re able to find an online school that offers everything you need at a lower cost than others, then it’s certainly worth further exploration. Only you know what you can spend, so just be sure that you’re getting your money’s worth. It’s also a good idea to ask about scholarships for online students.
• College counseling: If you’re looking to continue your education after graduation, guidance is essential. When making the switch to online high school, be sure to find out whether your new school offers college counseling. After all, the college application and selection process can be overwhelming for high school students as well as parents–especially those going through it for the first time. Having an experienced advisor or counselor to help you navigate the whole college preparation process can eliminate much of the associated stress.
• Social aspects and extracurricular activities: Online school doesn’t mean solitary school. Many online schools offer live classes with virtual classrooms full of students from across the country–and even around the world. This gives students the opportunity to learn new cultures, make new friends, and collaborate with people they would never have had the opportunity to meet. Plus, the more flexible online school schedule gives students hours back in their day (no more bus rides or commutes to and from school, no more seven-hour school days, etc.) to pursue their interests or participate in extracurricular activities.
• Transfer convenience: Good online schools will make sure parents and students experience a smooth transition from traditional school to online school. This includes easy transfer of previous school credits, a convenient enrollment process, access to transcripts, and more.

Do the benefits of this online school align with the student’s needs or reasons for switching from traditional school to online school?

Go back to the reasons you’re considering making the switch to online school.

• Is scheduling flexibility a high priority?
• Is the decision more driven by the need for a more personalized education experience?
• Are you looking for an education that’s more self-directed and independent?
• Do you get the support you need at your current school?
• Are you not being challenged enough with advanced classes?

Some online schools may offer solutions to a couple of these concerns…but is that enough to commit? It shouldn’t be. When it comes to a high school education, you should never settle. There are online high schools out there that can satisfy all of your concerns–just don’t stop looking until you find them.

Reach out to the top schools on your list

Once you’ve narrowed down your list of online schools that fit all your important criteria, start reaching out. Begin by asking the school for more information, signing up for an open house or information session, and speaking with the school’s admissions team. Don’t stop there, however. Solicit the opinions of prospective fellow students, their parents, online reviews, and other sources to get an unbiased view of others’ experiences with the school.

2. Enroll in the school you chose

You’ve weighed all your options, done your research, and decided on an online school that meets all your needs. Now’s the fun part–enrollment! Every school will have a slightly different process, but here’s a general idea on how to enroll in an online school:

Gather all relevant documents

Start the process by reaching out to your new online school and confirming the documentation they need to get you enrolled. Some of the documents new schools typically require include a birth certificate, transcripts/report cards, immunization records, student assessments, an IEP (if applicable), and a notice of withdrawal from the student’s traditional school. You may need to reach out to your previous/current school to request documents such as transcripts or report cards. Once you have everything you need, complete the application form!

Unenroll from your current school

Once enrollment for the new online school is complete, a parent must unenroll their child from their current school. If the student is enrolled in a public school at the beginning of a school year and withdraws during the school year, you may need to send two letters to the school. You can find a school withdrawal letter template here.

The first letter notifies the school in writing that you are withdrawing your child from school. The second letter should come from the new online school confirming that your child is indeed enrolled in the new school and that they are requesting school records. Keep in mind, some states have different rules related to withdrawing or unenrolling from school. Be sure to check with your state’s department of education to ensure you’re following the correct procedure.

3. Start the transition to online school

Since COVID-19, most students are at least somewhat familiar with learning at home. That said, full-time online school is drastically different from what students experienced during the pandemic. There will be a transition period between leaving traditional school and beginning online school. Here are a few things you’ll need to do before you start your amazing new online school experience:

1. Attend orientation for your new school. Not all online schools offer orientation, so make sure to confirm whether your new school has a new-student orientation program.
2. Set up your home workspace. You know where you’re most comfortable, so create your school workspace in that room or environment. A quiet, calming area of the home is an ideal place to set up. You don’t need to isolate yourself, but there will be times–especially during your live classes–when you want and need privacy. Wherever you decide to set up, make sure there’s a good internet/WiFi connection available.
3. Get the right equipment for your workspace. Do you prefer to work from a desktop computer or a laptop? Do you use extra monitors for multiple workspaces? Do you like to take notes on a tablet rather than a computer? Is your computer’s camera sufficient for online classes? These are all questions to consider. Since a computer is the heart of your online school setup, you’ll want to make sure it performs reliably and has a smooth internet/wireless connection. Test out your equipment before you begin classes, and invest in some new technology if needed.
4. Build a new school schedule. When you enroll in your new online school, you’ll receive your class schedule, which is the foundation for your overall school schedule. Working around your classes, start planning out each day, taking into account the time you’ll need for not only your lessons but also for studying, homework assignments, projects, breaks, extracurricular activities, chores, and other activities at home. This is a step that parents and students should collaborate on, as this is an entirely new experience for kids who are used to having their school schedules dictated to them. It may not sound difficult, but it can be incredibly challenging for a teenager to stare at a nearly blank schedule and wonder how to budget their time wisely.

4. Start online school

Once all of the above has been accomplished, it’s time for school! What can you expect? Well, any reputable online school will get you properly prepared for this new education experience. As an example, here’s how Holston Academy sets their new students up for success:

• Each student is assigned an Academic Coach who develops an Academic Plan for every individual student based on previous courses they’ve taken.
• Our Education Team reviews the student’s transcripts and assessments and builds a Personalized Learning Plan specific to their academic strengths and opportunities, as well as their interests and future goals. This plan is reviewed with each student and their family before final courses are assigned.
• Once courses have been assigned, each student receives a welcome email from their teachers to introduce themselves, provide contact information, and let them know of office hour availability.
• Students work with their Academic Coach and teachers to set up regular check-in meetings throughout the school year.

Once classes start, students may feel a bit unorganized or scattered…don’t worry, that’s perfectly normal! As with any major change, there is a transition period. But in a short amount of time, once a regular routine has been developed, students become quite comfortable with their new schedules and way of life.

During this transition period, it’s important for parents to be there for support and to help guide their child down this unfamiliar path. Help them with any procedural questions they have (such as how to turn in assignments, how to get in touch with a counselor or teacher, etc.) and as a sounding board for them to voice any concerns or trepidation about the online school process. From a parent’s perspective, one of the major benefits of switching to online school is the ability to more consistently support and be active in their child’s education, up through graduation.

Transferring to online school mid-year

It may sound daunting, but transferring to online school–even during the school year–may be the best academic decision a student and their family make. Now that we’ve walked you through how to transfer to online school, take the time to have the discussion, weigh the pros and cons, do diligent research, and make the decision.

Holston Academy, a registered and accredited California private school, is here to help any student who is looking to switch to online school. We are a small, student-centered learning community that empowers students in grades 6-12 to excel academically and develop the skills needed to thrive in a future path they define. We see ourselves not only as an online school, but as a community dedicated to nurturing independent thinking, fostering a lifelong love for learning, and shaping responsible global citizens. To learn more about Holston Academy, visit https://holstonacademy.org/about/ or call us at (833) 782-6922.