September 15 is National Online Learning Day, an unofficial holiday that deserves celebrating now more than ever.
In the seemingly endless wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, as many as 75% of U.S. schools are turning to online learning platforms, according to research compiled by ThinkImpact. And with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization touting that 1.2 billion students in 186 countries were affected by the Coronavirus, it’s a necessary step to ensure young learners stay on course.
In fact, it has forced parents and ambitious, college-bound students to rethink how they’ll compete for acceptance at the most coveted colleges and universities. Similarly, it has encouraged many schools to evaluate their current teaching models and improve upon the technological solutions they offer to their students.
No matter how you look at it, improved technology in the education space is essential. But finding the right solutions among the ever-evolving education landscape takes time, and that’s a luxury many parents—seeing their children’s future in the balance—worry they simply don’t have.
However, the growing interest in online learning isn’t limited to brick-and-mortar schools adapting to new technology. Since spring 2020, ASU Prep Digital has seen a 600% increase in enrollment of full-time online students around the world. As a model for online learning long before the pandemic broke out, it’s a solid option for students looking to transition their studies online full time, supplement their in-person learning experience or accelerate their pathway to college amidst these uncertain times.
For Brianna Hosteen, a high school junior enrolled full time in ASU Prep Digital’s online courses, it was the roster of accomplished graduates that first attracted her to pursuing the digital program. But it was the fact that the program gave her a clear path toward college admission and the chance to earn concurrent high school and university credits that sealed the deal. For her mom, Kristen, it was about finding the foremost experts to do the job.
“I wasn’t sure how some of the schools would handle online classes, so I’d rather have her in a school that already had experience in virtual teaching,” she said.
Brianna has a heavy load of high school and college-level courses this semester, including calculus, English, forensic science, history, chemistry and human development. She plans to complete her high school diploma and several college credits with ASU Prep Digital by 2023, then take her newfound knowledge to Arizona State University.
And she’s not alone in that endeavor. Millions of other students in Arizona and beyond are transitioning to online learning with ASU Prep Digital as more than a means to an end. It’s a tried and tested solution with increased accessibility and flexibility, the opportunity to self-pace learning and the ability to refine critical thinking skills with a global perspective.
Take a course tour and explore college pathways to see if ASU Prep Digital’s online K-12 and college-level courses are right for your student.
