The Future of Learning Recovery Is Flexible: Why Online Schools Are Built for This Moment
August 18, 2025
Content written by guest blogger, Cory Plough, Head of School for Holston Academy.
It’s hard to believe that more than five years have passed since the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted every aspect of our lives and forever changed education. While life for most of us feels “back to normal,” many students are still paying the price academically.
According to Hanover Research’s 2025 Trends in K-12 Education report, it will take students, on average, about four extra months of schooling to catch up to pre-pandemic levels in reading and math. And those same researchers note that “traditional approaches can’t move fast enough to meet students where they are.”
As an educator and as Head of School at Holston Academy, I have to ask: if the traditional model can’t get our students caught up, what will?
The answer, in my opinion, is flexibility.
Flexible, student-centered online schools like Holston are uniquely equipped to help students recover through personalized, adaptive instruction that meets them where they are and moves them forward at their own pace.
The Limits of Traditional Recovery Models
Think back to what school looked like when you were growing up. Chances are, your day was a series of 45-minute classes, a bell ringing every hour, teachers lecturing from the front of the room, and homework to complete later.
Fast-forward to today. For many students, not much has changed aside from smartboards replacing chalkboards and tablets replacing notebooks. The fundamental structure of traditional education hasn’t shifted in decades, and that rigidity is hurting students who need something different.
When instruction is built for the “middle,” struggling students fall further behind while advanced learners are left waiting for the rest of the class to catch up. Supplemental tutoring can help, but why can’t that individualized support be part of the school day itself?
Even after billions of dollars in federal COVID relief funds went toward tutoring and summer programs, many students remain far from grade-level proficiency. That should tell us something: if we keep doing things the same way, we’re going to keep getting the same results.
It’s time to rethink the model.
Why Flexible Online Schools Work
More and more families are realizing they don’t have to wait for traditional systems to change. Many have turned to online schools because of the built-in advantages that education experts have been recommending for years: self-paced learning, flexible scheduling, real-time data tracking, and one-on-one support.
At Holston Academy, these elements aren’t add-ons. They are at the heart of what we do every day.
Self-paced learning
When students are given the time they need to master a concept, they succeed. Short class periods and one-size-fits-all pacing leave too many students behind, while others are ready to move ahead but are forced to wait.
Our courses at Holston are self-paced, allowing students to revisit challenging material as often as needed or move on when they’re ready. Teachers provide detailed feedback and guidance, ensuring mastery instead of memorization.
Flexible scheduling
At a traditional school, learning stops when the bell rings. At Holston, students can access their courses 24/7. This flexibility is essential for students with demanding schedules like athletes, artists, travelers, or those with unique learning needs. Education should fit the student, not the other way around.
Real-time data tracking
Holston uses MindPrint Learning assessments to understand each student’s cognitive strengths and challenges. This real-time insight allows us to tailor support for every learner. Academic Coaches use these data-driven strategies to help students with time management, problem-solving, and study habits that fuel long-term success.
One-on-one support
At Holston, we believe in fostering independence, but students are never alone in their journey. Our teachers and Academic Coaches are available to meet individually with students each week if needed, offering instructional support, celebrating achievements, and helping them navigate obstacles. Communication is constant and personalized through calls, texts, emails, and live sessions.
Helping Students Catch Up And Stay Ahead
When students fall behind, every day matters. Our Personalized Learning Plans ensure that we can quickly identify gaps, target problem areas, and build a roadmap to get students where they need to be. Because of our flexible model, we can accelerate that process far more effectively than a traditional school schedule allows.
But catching up on coursework is only part of the story. Once students regain their footing, we continue to build momentum. Our goal isn’t just to help students catch up, it’s to ensure they never fall behind again. We strive to also see students enhance their soft skills and executive functioning skills, which play a role in keeping them on track and not falling behind again.
A Sustainable Model for the Future of Education
Online learning isn’t a temporary fix or a stopgap solution. It’s a sustainable, scalable, and proven model for helping students reach their full potential. At Holston Academy, we see it work every day.
For students still struggling in the wake of pandemic learning loss, there’s no reason to wait. Flexible online schools like Holston are showing what’s possible when we design education around students instead of forcing students to fit into outdated structures.
See What Flexible Online Learning Can Do
If your child is still behind or simply ready for a more personalized, effective approach, our team at Holston Academy is here to help. You can explore our programs at holstonacademy.org, schedule a 1:1 meeting with our admissions team, or call us at (833) 782-6922.
We’d love to show you what learning can look like when flexibility, personalization, and student success are the priorities.
About the Author: Cory Plough serves as Head of School, bringing over two decades of expertise in online and blended learning environments. Throughout his distinguished career, he has excelled in multiple roles including teacher, professional development coordinator, coach, curriculum specialist, and has held education leadership positions for more than ten years. With multiple Master’s Degrees and extensive experience across private, public, and charter programs, he has established himself as a pioneer in blended and online education while caring deeply about personalized learning, and comprehensive student and staff support. A respected voice in educational innovation, he has presented at numerous conferences on digital education methodologies, contributed to the development of national standards for online education, and currently serves on the planning board for a national conference dedicated to advancing online and blended learning practices.