A benefit of schools powered by K12 is that the educational materials—a computer, textbooks, supplies for offline activities, and more—are provided.
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A day in the life of online school for Cash and Brandi (mom and Learning Coach).
Cash
Grade 5th- Favorite Subject
- Science
- HOBBIES
- Archery
Why K12?
Brandi switched her children to online school after being a traditional homeschool family. They were looking for more rigorous curriculum as the kids got older and the flexibility to travel with their dad for work. Cash, the youngest, also has dyslexia and dysgraphia, and Brandi wanted to make sure he got the services he needed. Brandi saw the value of online school so much that she switched her teaching career to teaching at a K12-powered school once her kids were learning more independently.
Live Classes and Assignments
Schoolwork for Cash is a mix of scheduled, live classes called Class Connect sessions, self-guided offline assignments, and special school services like speech and occupational therapy.
For example, a typical day may have Cash starting with a live math class led by his state-certified teacher and then a writing assignment later in the day on his own. If he gets stuck, his mom and Learning Coach Brandi is there to help, or he can reach out to his teachers in the live classes, via email, or during weekly office hours.
Student Schedule
Learning Coaches typically spend between 4 to 6 hours each day with elementary school students like Cash, providing oversight.
Brandi set up her workspace near Cash’s learning space, so she’s nearby if he needs help. Being physically close lets her listen in to what he’s doing as she’s taking breaks from teaching her classes. The older kids are more independent but still stop by to have a paper proofread or a math problem explained.
Student Schedule
Daily Schedule
Class Schedule
Curriculum
The number of classes students take varies per grade level and individual. For example, students in 5th grade, like Cash, typically take between 4–6 subjects each semester, with maybe 2–4 of those requiring scheduled, live classes.
In addition to core academic subjects like English, math, science, and social studies, K12-powered schools have a great selection of electives, including the advanced learner options Cash enjoys. The school also provides support services, such as occupational therapy and counseling.
Class schedules may vary considerably based on the individual student and their needs, their state, and any special programs
Cash’s time away from the computer looks like …
Drawing, planting seeds in the garden, practicing archery, and playing with their dog Star.
Overcoming Challenges
Cash has dyslexia and dysgraphia, which can make reading and writing challenging. His K12-powered school was able to test him right away and get him extra support services, like speech and occupational therapy, that he wasn’t getting as a homeschooled student. He feels validated and as if he matters at school now.
With the new services, he’s improved in reading and writing, he can type better, and he has new tools he can use to help him in the future. Cash also attends special education courses and counseling, but Brandi says you’d never know because he’s also in honors classes and earns excellent grades.
Family Time
Initially, Brandi and her family chose traditional homeschool so that they could all travel with dad for work. Online school gives them that same flexibility to spend time together as a family. Once work is done for the day, they can go to the zoo, explore the park, or take a family hike.
A significant benefit of K12-powered school is that you have more control over your time. You can schedule appointments, enriching activities, or trips to visit family and not miss any schoolwork.
Teacher Support and Communication
Brandi saw the value of online school so much that she shifted her career to be a part of it. In addition to the help from her children’s teachers, she can speak to the level of support as a 4th grade teacher at their school.
As an online teacher, Brandi gets creative with engaging assignments like a student favorite on strange animals. She can also pull her students into one-to-one sessions when they need extra help on a topic or into small group sessions in certain subjects. That additional personalized support helps her create an environment where all her students feel like they matter.
More Q & A with Brandi
I was surprised that our family dinner conversations got better. Once the boys started online school, we discussed more about what they learned during the day. There was more curiosity from our end as parents and more interest in sharing from their end as students.
The main thing for me was the curriculum. The K12-powered school gave us enough options for my children to take honors classes, advanced learner classes, and dual enrollment classes at the local college. Plus, they offered all the support services we were looking for to help Cash with his dyslexia and dysgraphia.
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Learning with K12
K12 powers a wide variety of educational options. including tuition-free public schools and tuition-based private schools. See what’s available in your area.
These are the stories of real students attending K12-powered schools and their families. Content is a combination of direct quotes and summaries from in-person interviews. Their stories each reflect their experiences at their respective schools. Actual experience can vary by student and school. These pages are designed to reflect a typical day in the life of a student attending an online K12-powered school. Individual class schedules and requirements will vary by state, school, and the individual needs of each student.