Today, institutions and organizations are adapting to the demand for hybrid schedules. Full-day, in-person work weeks are now a thing of the past with many opting to work from home or having split schedules.
Now, charter schools in Orange County are offering the same to local students, changing the way and manner in which primary and secondary students can have access to their teachers and learning.
Although the debate of whether in-person learning is superior to online formats is a matter of choice, the fact that opportunities now exist for students and parents to choose is incredible.
Whether you or your student are looking for an educational program that meets the interest and needs of your schedule, charter schools offer a great selection of hybrid programs to choose from.
Here’s a list of some of the best benefits offered by charter schools:
Charter School Misconceptions
It is universally accepted that every student should have access to educational opportunities. For many primary and secondary school-aged students, much of the debate concerns their attendance at either public, charter, private, or homeschooling options.
With the exception of private schools, all other options provide tuition-free learning, meaning that any eligible student can enroll.
While public school and homeschooling options have remained reliable institutionalized educational options, it’s charter schools that are closing the gap on the way students are able to access their education.
Many charter schools now offer hybrid programming to meet the needs of the newest generation of students. With so much flexibility, there’s no longer a need to choose between homeschool and in-person learning.
The new hybrid programming is no doubt gaining popularity due to a post-pandemic landscape.
Far beyond that, however, hybrid programming, such as the one being offered at charter schools, gives greater flexibility and choices to meet the individual needs of parents and students.
Every Student Is Unique
If no two students are alike, then how can a standardized format of learning be considered effective? Charter schools posit this quandary and provide a fresh new outlook to their educational approach.
Much like our ancient human ancestors that banded together to form a community to help and keep each other alive, so too is the approach used in charter schools.
Rather than having a lecture-style format of teaching, students are placed in small groups that facilitate student-centered learning.
In this format, a teacher may introduce a new concept or learning outcome, give students minimal but crucial information, and then allow the students themselves to explore and experiment with the new concept.
Learning in this format is derived from their communal findings and interactions, placing the focus on their small community and not on individual students.
You might be wondering if this approach may create a situation in which some students may slack off due to more proactive members of their group. Fair question.
However, charter schools find that the emphasis on community makes students more empathetic to the needs of their classmates and motivates students to contribute for the benefit of their group.
Hybrid Formats
As the capability of our technology advances, there’s no question that our education systems will have to adapt to fulfill those needs while staying flexible for the future.
Charter schools are embracing the hybridity of in-person and online learning by providing an array of options that include:
- Homeschooling
- Online
- 2-Day in-person
- 3-Day in-person
- 4-Day in-person
- 5-Day in-person
- Hybrid of in-person and online learning
In addition to their highly accessible formats, charter schools are also well-rooted in their local community, helping to balance the technology they leverage with connections between their students and the communities they live.
Field trips and events at local businesses or organizations, and opportunities for internships and volunteering, allow students to stay connected and parents to become active in local events.
Student Safety
Although student safety has always been paramount to any school setting, it’s hard to ignore the recent attention this topic has garnered in the news and within our day-to-day discourse.
While in-school incidents are terrible to comprehend and come to terms with, the safety of students and staff is of the utmost importance to schools across the nation.
One of the benefits of homeschooling and full-time educational programming offered by charter schools is that parents who may have concerns about student safety can now opt in for fully remote programs.
While students and parents will still be invited to participate in in-person programs or events, the added benefit and consideration of fully-remote programs is something to consider.
Closing
Just as every student is diverse in their own way, so too should their choices when it comes to their educational programming. Gone are the days when one-size-fits-all education was the norm.
Now, thanks to the milestones in technology, and the diverse lifestyles of all families, hybrid learning is more accessible than ever.
When considering if a hybrid program may be the best for you and your student, it’s important to note the specific needs you are looking for. Hybrid programming may help students who may be averse to in-person learning, or who may benefit from solitary learning from time to time.
Regardless of the reasons, you can rest assured that charter schools seek to provide the best educational programming available.