Are you a parent who has heard year after year that your child is excelling in school? They may have even placed in your school’s academically talented and gifted program, if they have one in place. However, there are probably times that arise where you wonder, is my child being challenged enough? Your child may even tell you that they are bored with their schooling or that things are too easy for them.
While some might look at a situation like this and think they wish their child had those types of “problems,” it can be looked at much like the situation of a struggling child: they aren’t getting their individual learning needs met. Both students in that scenario aren’t able to excel to their full potential until the right program is put in place. That’s where we come in!
At My Virtual Academy, we help students on both ends of the spectrum, and everywhere in between. We are able to offer courses that are customized to fit your child’s needs. We realize that every student learns differently and at their own pace and our staff works diligently to make sure every student has what they need in place to excel!
As a parent contemplating schooling options for their gifted student, there are a lot of things to consider. Let’s take a closer look at things that might be on your mind to see if virtual learning is the right fit for your family.
Time Management
One of the benefits to virtual learning is the immense flexibility that comes along with it. Students can learn at their own pace, at their own time, and from anywhere that has an internet connection. They have due dates and things of that nature, but the daily schedule can look different for practically every student. Students often feel that this removes a lot of pressure and allows them to focus as much time as they need to master the lesson being taught. They aren’t rushed along, nor held back, to fit the needs of 25+ other students in their class, like in traditional schools. Some gifted students find a flexible schedule to be a huge plus because they can dig deeper into what they are studying (if they so choose) or can proceed to the next lesson.
As with all time management, there needs to be responsible use of time. You should feel confident that you and your student can properly commit to the time it takes to learn from home. Whether you work or learn from home, it’s very easy for someone to get sidetracked and before you know it, hours have passed and the work you set out to be done is still waiting there. It’s important that lessons get done and as a parent, it’s important that you have time to monitor your child’s activities. You don’t have to be over their shoulder at every turn, but it’s important to stay active in their education. Especially in the beginning of making the switch to virtual learning, it’s essential that you make sure they understand how to do the work online and are there to get in touch with us if any issues arise.
Attitude
What is your child’s attitude toward school? Do they love it and look forward to it? Is it boring and viewed as more of a chore? Is it a struggle to get them motivated to learn or are they eager and excited to learn new math skills and how things interact in science?
These factors are important when thinking about enrolling your child in a virtual school. If they dread every aspect of school, getting them online to do their studies could become a hardship for the parent. It would take a lot of patience and dedication to make that situation work. On the other hand, if they are eager to learn and don’t mind completing their coursework, then this would be an easy transition for both the parent and child.
Socializing
When parents think of schooling from home, they often are worried that their child may be withdrawn or lack social interaction with others their same age. That’s definitely not the case! There are many activities and organizations that students can involve themselves in from community theater, sports, choirs, 4H clubs…the list goes on and on. There are also different outings that are dedicated for students that homeschool and they could tag along on those field trips! When you get connected to these various groups, you’ll realize that your student is socializing just as much as students in a traditional school.
Resources and Materials
When you choose to enroll your student in My Virtual Academy, we provide everything your student needs to succeed while enrolled in our program. That includes a computer (if needed) and the software required to complete their coursework. Our staff is dedicated to helping your student shine and they keep in close communication with their students. This gives the student and teacher time to check in with each other and discuss any questions they have. Each student also receives a mentor that works closely with them. 
Finances
Parents often worry about the financial commitment that learning from home might bring. The good news is that we are a TUITION-FREE school! That’s right – tuition free! Your student will work toward obtaining their high school diploma from home and it won’t be of any cost to you. So now, you and your student can focus your efforts on obtaining the best middle and high school education in the comfort of your own home with no financial worry.
I’m interested! What do I do next?
We think your gifted student would exceed your expectations when enrolled at My Virtual Academy. Our enrollment specialists would love to talk to you and answer any questions you may have. Please give us a call at 800-297-2119, go to our website, or visit our Facebook page. We look forward to hearing from you!