The Benefits of Online Middle School

May 23, 2025

There are many benefits to online middle school. In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into those benefits and explain why it’s such an appealing option to middle schoolers and their families.

What Are the Benefits of Online Middle School?

With the school year nearing its conclusion, now is a good time to reflect on your student’s performance and overall satisfaction with their academic experience. If you’re considering a change, then it’s time to examine the benefits of online middle school. And there are many! In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the benefits of online middle school and explain why it’s such an appealing option to middle schoolers and their families. Let’s dig right in and explore the many benefits of online middle school.

High-quality education with real value

Most online middle schools–at least those worth considering–are accredited. If you’re not familiar with accreditation, it is an ongoing process that ensures that schools meet high-quality educational and operational standards. A school that is accredited has had their internal processes and systems reviewed by an external party to ensure they meet a high standard of education. In other words, accreditation is a method of separating schools that uphold consistent academic standards from those who don’t.

Additionally, online middle school offers students the opportunity to pursue their interests by offering courses that most traditional schools don’t. For example, if they’re into computers and gaming, they can take coding courses and game design classes. Or maybe they’re talented artists–online middle schools offer a variety of art classes that allow students to grow their passion. Best of all, online middle school classes are instructed by experienced teachers (who know how to teach online) who truly care about the success of their students.

Personalized learning that fits each student

If your child attended a traditional elementary or middle school, you’ve likely noticed that the learning models employed by these schools simply can’t cater to each individual student. There are too many students per classroom, there aren’t enough teachers, and they follow a pace and curriculum designed for the “middle of the pack”–not the struggling students or high-achieving students. Those students are typically either left behind, or they’re bored because they’ve already mastered the lessons.

You won’t find this type of learning model with an online middle school. Because students learn at different speeds and through different approaches, online middle schools like Holston Academy offer a student-centered education–a model that literally places the student at the center of their academic journey. Our educators act as guides (not lecturers), providing resources, advice, and support while allowing students to take ownership of their learning. Shortly after enrollment, each Holston Academy student receives an individualized learning plan based on how they learn best, so they’re set up for success right from the get-go.

Build confidence and key life skills

Many online students, because of the self-paced nature of their education, develop elite study skills, digital fluency, and the ability to learn independently. And these are all important skills to master as they prepare for high school, college, and a career.

If your middle schooler doesn’t possess those skills yet, don’t worry! Online middle school will help them develop a routine that works for them. Before you know it, your student will be managing their own schedule, taking ownership of their studies, and growing their independence. At Holston Academy, students always have the support of their Academic Coaches to mentor and guide each student to success.

Check out our article that details how the benefits of online school help nurture future-ready skills.

Flexible schedule

All families operate on their own schedules. Sometimes those schedules clash with a typical school schedule, with parent work obligations conflicting with rides to and from school, after-school activities, and other inconveniences. Online middle school completely eliminates that drama. A flexible schedule, in fact, is one of the main reasons families switch to online school.

With online middle school, students and parents have the freedom to create their daily schedules to allow for breaks, time off, and travel. In fact, families with students who are exceptionally gifted athletically or artistically often lean on this type of schedule flexibility to allow for training, practices, rehearsals, performances, meets, competitions, and events–as well as all the travel time involved. Studying and schoolwork can be done whenever–and wherever–it’s most convenient for the student.

Additionally, some families travel extensively or live abroad, making it difficult for students to stay afloat when they’re missing so much school. Online middle school solves that puzzle, because they can complete their studies while they’re traveling or even once they reach their destination.

Consistent learning environment

Hand-in-hand with the benefits of a flexible schedule is the ability to sustain a consistent learning environment despite families’ various lifestyles and commitments. As we just noted, the flexible schedule is a major benefit for student-athletes, performers, and travelers. But just as importantly, middle schoolers can still receive a consistent, outstanding education regardless of where their schedules take them. With online middle school, there’s no need to worry about missing a week or two of school. Students can bring their education with them wherever they go.

This also applies to military families who are always on the move. One of our very own students, Mikah “Eddie” Ramos, is part of a military family. Yet, with Holston Academy, she’s maintained a consistent education that’s allowed her to not only succeed academically but also to pursue the many passions she has. You can read Eddie’s story here.

Online middle school supports mental health 

Middle school students are as susceptible to mental health issues as anyone else. In fact, middle school can be a particularly rough time for some students, as they’re still growing–physically and emotionally–into the young adults they’ll soon be. Unfortunately, most traditional middle schools are unable to provide enough support for student mental health.

Students with anxiety already deal with stress. But trying to handle that stress in a school that lacks adequate counseling and support options can make everything worse. Another benefit of online middle school is that it removes many stressors for students who already experience mental health challenges–like crowded hallways and classrooms, rushing from class to class, cliques in the cafeteria, bullies, and so on. Without these stresses, students can simply enjoy their education as well as the support that comes with it.

Access to unique courses

Traditional middle schools can only offer so many courses. Online middle schools, however, can offer a much larger selection of classes designed to appeal to all students. Holston Academy gives middle schoolers the choice of more than 150 online classes. And they include some really cool and unique topics, different world languages, and even early career classes. A few examples:

View our entire course catalog here.

As your middle schooler moves on to high school, Holston Academy offers an equally impressive menu of courses. This includes Advanced Placement (AP), Honors, and college-level classes that prepare students for the next level. Learn why Scarlet, a Holston Academy student, says that online education has changed her life–read her story here.

How Online Middle School Works

Below is a general outline on how online middle school works:

  • Build a schedule. When you enroll your middle school in their new online school, you’ll receive their class schedule. From there, your family can plan each day around classes, accounting for the time they’ll need for lessons, studying, homework, projects, breaks, extracurricular activities, chores, and other activities around the house.
  • Start online school. What can you expect once it’s time to start? Here’s how Holston Academy sets their new students up for success as they begin online middle school:
    • 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.
    • Students work with their Academic Coach and teachers to set up regular check-in meetings throughout the school year.

That’s it! Online middle school is easy to begin at the start of a new school year or even when your student is transferring mid-year.

What About High School and Beyond?

Once your middle school student has finished eighth grade, it’s time to move on to high school! With Holston Academy, your child’s transition to the next level is absolutely seamless. Why? Because our school grows with your students. We provide them with the support, structure, and consistency they need in middle school so they’re ready to take on high school without skipping a beat.

And once your student begins high school with Holston Academy, the sky’s the limit! Between our array of elective courses, college preparation, dual enrollment, and counseling, your child is going to build an impressive transcript that college admissions teams love to see.

If you and your student are ready to experience all of the benefits of online middle school, check out everything that Holston Academy has to offer. You can click here to request more information about how we can create the perfect middle school experience for your child. Or call us at (833) 782-6922.

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