Is Online School Right for Your Child?

July 10, 2025

Online school is a popular education choice for families around the world. But there are many factors to consider when deciding whether online school is right for your child. This blog is designed to better inform you about online school and determine whether it’s the right education option for your family.

The COVID-19 pandemic obviously introduced online school to the masses. And while the number of online students has dropped since its pandemic-years peak, it remains a popular education choice for families around the world.

So, what actually is online school? Essentially, it’s a form of education that takes place over the internet using online tools, programs, and platforms. Also commonly known as distance learning or e-learning, online school employs a variety of methods, including:

• Synchronous learning, which involves students taking live classes online and participating in a virtual classroom environment with an instructor and classmates
• Asynchronous learning, where students access recorded lessons at their convenience
• Hybrid learning, which combines elements of both synchronous and asynchronous courses in a student’s schedule

COVID-mandated virtual learning opened the eyes of millions of students and parents who witnessed that online school–when done right–is an outstanding learning option. Consider these statistics that illustrate the success and appeal of online learning…

• Worldwide, 49% of students have completed some sort of online learning
• Online learning was poised to grow by more than 200% between 2020 and 2025
• 70% of students say online learning is better than traditional classroom learning
• 63% of students in the US engage in online learning activities daily

Part of the appeal of online learning is its highly flexible schedule; most online classes can be taken at the student’s convenience. Another advantage of online learning is its customization to each student’s abilities, learning styles and speeds, and interests. And while these features of online school can benefit just about anyone, online school isn’t necessarily for everyone.

That’s why we’ve written this guide–to help better inform you about online school and answer the question, is online school right for your child?

Why Families Consider Online School

Let’s explore some of the reasons so many families have turned to online school for their children.

Health concerns

If your child experiences physical or mental health challenges, online learning is a wonderful solution. Chronic illnesses, disabilities, and other physical health issues can be so difficult to deal with–especially if your child attends a traditional brick-and-mortar school. You’re concerned about the physical challenges a traditional school environment presents, about the possibility of contracting an illness, and about the relative lack of care options available at school should your child fall ill. Online learning eliminates those fears, because you know your child is in a safe, healthy environment conducive to learning.

Then there’s the mental health concerns, such as anxiety, stress, and depression–all of which can be exacerbated in a physical school environment. Online school removes many of these stressors, such as cafeteria cliques, bullies, social challenges, and others. Without these stresses, students can simply enjoy their education as well as the support that comes with it.

The need for flexibility

A traditional school day tends to make life outside of school a major challenge. This is especially true when there are work commitments, relocations, frequent travels, and intense extracurricular schedules involved. For example, if your family travels often, or you’re a military family that moves to new locations frequently, traditional school is an extremely difficult endeavor for your child(ren). Online school is the perfect option for these types of families, because the learning can continue uninterrupted no matter where you’re located. Whether you’re moving to a different state or an entirely new country, online learning ensures your child’s education continues uninterrupted.

Maybe your child is an elite athlete or an aspiring performer. Online school offers the flexibility that allows your child to attend hours of practices, rehearsals, games, meets, competitions, and performances each week. They can then complete their studies before, after, or in between their scheduled activities. This is also a convenient arrangement if your child works regularly. With online school, they can maximize their daytime availability while receiving a high-quality education in the evenings. Or vice versa.

Personalized learning

If your child previously attended a traditional school, you’re well aware that the classroom instructional model just can’t cater to each individual student. For starters, there are too many students per classroom and not enough teachers to instruct them. Then there’s the fact that teachers follow a pace and curriculum designed for the “middle of the pack” students–not the ones who are struggling or routinely mastering the classes. Those students are typically either left behind, or they’re bored because they already know the material.

We all know that each student learns at a different speed and through different approaches. A good online school makes personalized and self-paced learning top priorities. Holston Academy, for example, uses a model of student-centered education that literally places the student at the center of their academic journey. Our educators act as mentors and guides (not lecturers) by 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 start.

Better class variety

Traditional schools can only offer so many courses. Online schools, however, can provide a much larger selection of classes designed to appeal to all students. Holston Academy gives middle school and high school students (grades 6-12) the choice of more than 300 online classes. Our course catalog includes some very interesting topics, a huge menu of world language options, and early career exploration classes.

Additionally, Holston Academy offers Honors classes, Advanced Placement (AP) courses, and dual enrollment options for high schoolers. Traditional schools, while they may offer some of these examples, can’t provide as many as online schools can.

Key Considerations to Think Through

If any of what you’ve already read in this article made you stop and think about your current situation, your student is likely a strong candidate for online learning. Whether it’s physical and/or mental health challenges, a busy schedule that requires flexibility, or the need to escape a difficult social environment, online school can deliver tailored solutions that can make life so much easier.

And once you’ve identified the factors motivating you to consider online school for your child, you’ll be better equipped to figure out which type of online learning program makes the most sense for your family. When you reach that point, and it’s time to start choosing between online schools, here are some important considerations to keep in mind:

How your child learns best

Does your child learn best when there are visual aids involved? Or do they pick up more information by listening? Perhaps they’re most productive when they’re involved in hands-on learning? It’s critically important to know how your child learns best so you can create the right personalized learning plan for them.

Visual learners are more likely to engage in learning when they have examples or materials to look at. So you’ll want to consider a learning program that uses video and other visual cues to teach the lessons. Auditory learners tend to thrive on more of a lecture environment–a live online class with teacher instruction could be a great fit. And hands-on learners get the most out of lessons when they’re physically involved. Courses that offer labs, projects, and STEM learning could be the solutions.

Besides the actual type of learning, consider the learning environment that best suits your student. Many students succeed through independent learning on their own time, in a quiet environment that’s free of distraction. Those students would likely thrive with asynchronous online classes. Other students need face-to-face interaction with teachers and peers as well as a more structured environment that involves hands-on guidance. If that sounds like your child, online learning may not be the optimal choice.

You know your child better than anyone. So the decision to switch to online school will require some conversation as a family. Discussion topics might include whether your child is able to remain engaged and motivated in an online learning environment, how they feel about self-paced learning, and whether they’re able to follow a less structured schedule–all while keeping in mind that online learning offers the best personalization options.

Technology and home environment

Another consideration is whether your home is prepared to take on distance learning. For example, is your home equipped with:

• A stable, reliable, and fast internet connection?
• Devices that can smoothly handle video and interactive platforms?
• A quiet place for your child to learn?

These are all must-haves for online students. But there are other factors to consider, such as whether your child (depending on age) will require supervision and guidance–and whether you or a caregiver will be readily available to provide that.

If you’re seriously considering online school, make sure your home is ready to handle it, especially technology-wise. A new or recent computer should offer the power and speed needed for smooth video streaming and playback. A tablet or phone can serve as a capable replacement if needed. If live online classes are part of your child’s online school schedule, you’ll want to make sure you have the right video conferencing application downloaded and ready to use (Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, etc.) before classes start.

As for the physical environment, work with your child to figure out where they want to learn and what will make that space comfortable. Some kids like music or white noise while they’re studying, so a device like an Amazon Echo could be useful. Involve your child in the room setup to get them even more excited about school.

Student development and social considerations

While online school does offer some social components, it’s not the same as being in a school with fellow students. It’s important to note that many online learning programs do offer group projects, clubs, and extracurricular activities. That said, these options may not be enough to fully replace the daily peer interaction your child is accustomed to.

And this is important because you want your child comfortable in their learning environment. Quieter, more independent students may be completely fine with the online school setup. However, kids who thrive in crowds, have large groups of friends, and are natural extroverts may struggle in an online environment. Make sure to have a deep discussion with your student about their preferences so they understand the difference in environments.

Of course, there are plenty of social options outside of online school that can keep students socializing and busy. For example, local sports leagues, community clubs and groups, and other neighborhood activities can be just as socially rewarding as hanging out with kids in school.

Support services your online school offers

When considering an online school, an often overlooked feature is the academic support services it offers. By academic support services, we mean:

• Academic coaches/advisors/counselors
• Tutoring services
• 1:1 sessions with teachers
• Progress tracking
• IEP accommodations

These are important features that not every online school offers (pro tip: Holston Academy offers all of the above). You want to know that, if your child struggles in class, their teacher is available outside of class hours to help. And that they have an academic advisor standing by to provide guidance and mentor your student during challenging academic times. It’s also helpful knowing that tutoring services are available if your child is really struggling in a subject. And that you can always see the type of progress your student is making in each class.

The reason that these support services are so important? Because you want your child challenged in school–inside and outside the classroom. Breezing through easy classes may look fine on a transcript, but what is your child really learning in that situation?

A good online school will not be a walk in the park. It will challenge your child to push and learn more and develop great habits that they’ll use the rest of their lives. It will focus on high-quality instruction from experienced online teachers who are ready to provide real-time feedback. Academic support services can help your child excel by serving as guardrails that guide them back to the road that takes them where they want to go.

Long-term goals and flexibility

As your student progresses through school, your family will need to determine whether online school fits into those long-term plans. A few questions to consider:

• Is your student planning on attending college?
• Would your child like to graduate early to get a jump-start on post-graduation life?
• Is your student considering joining the workforce upon high school graduation?
• Does your child participate in high-level extracurricular activities such as elite athletics or performance?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might want to strongly consider online school for your child. Let’s look at why…

• Is your student planning on attending college? Online school helps prepare high school students with the skills they need to succeed in college. Knowing how to learn independently before heading to college prepares students to work and study on their own. Students must take ownership of their schedules and daily responsibilities and decide how and when to complete their assignments. They need to know how to juggle deadlines and track their progress, skills that stay with students throughout their lives.

On a more academic-specific level, many online schools offer dual enrollment courses that allow high school students to earn college credits. There are also plenty of helpful career-specific courses designed to build a student’s knowledge in a particular field so they’re ahead of the game once college begins.

• Would your child like to graduate early to get a jump-start on post-graduation life? Some students simply don’t want to wait to get their college careers going. And with online school, they have the means to graduate early. If their schedule allows, students can load up on high school courses and advanced courses that will provide the extra credits they need to graduate from high school early.
• Is your student considering joining the workforce upon high school graduation? If college isn’t in the cards after high school, online school can prepare students for a career in a trade by offering industry-specific courses to give them a head start. Career-focused learning in high school can help pave the way to a quick entry into the workforce after graduation.
• Does your child participate in high-level extracurricular activities such as elite athletics or performance? As we discussed, elite athletes, artists, and performers who are pursuing collegiate and/or professional dreams abide by a very grueling schedule filled with practices, rehearsals, competitions, games, meets, etc. Cutting back on these activities just isn’t an option during this pursuit for greatness. Online school has proven to be a godsend for these types of students, as they can still receive an amazing education. And one that fits into their schedules. If this sounds like your child, and you haven’t yet thought about online learning, it may be time to strongly consider it.

How to Know If Online School Is Right for Your Family

Online school is very popular because it’s an absolutely fantastic fit for many families. But is online school right for your child? Success with online schooling hinges on knowing what your child needs and choosing the right fit.

Since this is your child’s education, it’s important to research online schools to determine which fits best. Consider where your child is in their education timeline, whether the online school offers programs and courses designed to enhance your child’s future, whether it’s flexible enough to meet the needs of your family, and if the school provides the support students need to succeed.

As an accredited online school, Holston Academy offers all of the benefits of online learning…and then some. Our mission is to cultivate future-ready students within small learning communities, where each student is known, valued, and supported. We also aim to provide our students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to excel in the next stages of life. Read about our approach at Holston Academy, and click here to request more information.