All-Star Online Schooling Program?!

[kristenthegreat]

It clearly depends on the 'online/home school' program, your college (if you're doing an online class through there), and a variety of other factors, such as your/your childs dedication, why they're doing it, time available etc. Some colleges/classes are easier online (particularly if you take to the material well), but you may have a sucky teacher. I will agree with the others who posted about how this is good for athletes who are Olympic/World competition bound (like Kiara), not necessarily cheerleaders seeing as we don't exactly have an event as prestigious as other sports.

That being said, for those concerned about 'activities', there are PLENTY of after-school programs offered (at least that I know of in CT) if you want those experiences. A woman in my town offers art classes on various days (both my mother and I took from her..I was in the same class as my doctor lol), I know of a variety of theater classes/teen repertory places (Again, I went to one lol), lots of music classes (ok, you may not get a concert, but I'm sure you could enter various competitions/outside music orgs)..granted, these things cost MONEY, but there are at the very least OPTIONS so you're really only missing prom/an official graduation. And you'd only miss prom if you weren't invited to an outside one/didn't throw one yourself..

 

[MomOf2ThatsMe]

And you'd only miss prom if you weren't invited to an outside one/didn't throw one yourself..

Lots of high schoolers around here that do allstars miss prom anyway because it inevitably falls on the weekend of Worlds.

 

[INeverStopCheering]

That being said, for those concerned about 'activities', there are PLENTY of after-school programs offered (at least that I know of in CT) if you want those experiences.

There are local art, theatre, and music programs everywhere. But if the goal of this program is to make more time for cheerleading, I don't think these girls are going to be able to pursue these types of activities, where as in school, there is time set aside for them.

 

[fullinitup]

im pretty sure it is not even a requirement it is an option and for anyone there is tutoring that is available and accessible for anyone that may be struggling with a particular course and needs some extra attention or have it taught or explained a diff way.

 

[Aussiekat]

I'm sure we can all agree that online schooling works well for some and not so well for others, but I think the main concern here is that it is almost promoted as a "requirement" for being on the team, which leaves little choice for athletes and parents in pursuing the right educational environment for them as individuals. It would be hard to see this programme work unless it was mandated, because we all know how hard it is to have a productive training when team members are missing. So, if a handful of athletes decided that regular school was a better arrangement for them both socially, academically (and for whatever other reasons), would they then not make the team?

 

[SheCheers]

There are major differences IMHO between "online school" and "online courses". Online courses usually run like a regular class with due dates, exams, etc. online school is usually self paced and flexible. You can move forward once you've mastered/grasped a concept so you can work ahead or behind and whenever you want to. You can also do it year round. Online schools also offer languages, music, art, etc. so there is time built in for those activities.
Socialization can happen because you can actually be out in the real world interacting with people of all ages, instead of sitting at a desk expected to be quiet surrounded by people all about your same age. Plus you'd be surprised by then number of people who actually do this and coordinate events for those doing online/homeschool.

 

[kristenthegreat]

There are local art, theatre, and music programs everywhere. But if the goal of this program is to make more time for cheerleading, I don't think these girls are going to be able to pursue these types of activities, where as in school, there is time set aside for them.

It also depends on the age and the school..when I was in HS, we only had 3 or 4 art classes, and you only had them half-year. There were some music courses, but the one I did involved some after-school time or missing class. In some cases, students aren't even getting them built into their public school unless it's mandated. Otherwise you know kids would rather just have the study period to goof off..

 

[cheermommaRN]

You also have to understand the cheer culture in AZ. There are not a lot of really good gyms (Worlds caliber)...you have Desert Storm and Power...that's about it. Both gyms are in North Scottsdale which is 3 to 4 hours from Tucson and even more from Yuma and Flagstaff (if you live in Yuma you are probably closer to Cali). Many of the level 5 kids live in the East Valley which can be a 2 hour drive if you live in Johnson Ranch or Queen Creek.
For kids that have to travel far, this is a great opportunity to get tutoring onsite....
If Cali wanted to make a killing they would open a gym in Gilbert or Chandler, AZ....they would have more kids then they know what to do with....

 

[Deleted member 1556]

What I don't understand is that it's just cheerleading. We're not Olympic training athletes swept away at some 24 hour a day training facility. We're just...cheerleaders. Is online schooling really necessary for....cheerleading?

 

[SaraDee023]

wow, if the athlete/student can handle it, thats a great idea. i think the athlete's skill level will rise, and the teams will become stronger. however, if the athlete gets too caught up in the training and forgets (or is too tired) for school this can cause issues. another point, cheerleading is serious, but dont you think the athlete might need time OUT of the gym. just healthy time....too much time can cause athletes to get burnt out.

 

[gymncheercoach]

Wow, some of you have a really big misconception about online school.

My daughter attends www.k12.org/ohva (Ohio Virtual Academy). She will be entering 2nd grade in the fall, so she has been attending OHVA for 2 years. She loves it. The curriculum is excellent and she even has the option to start a foreign language in 3rd grade and she has over 40 languages to choose from. Her virtual class meets twice per week via webinar. The children are on mics and even have a button to push to 'raise their hand' to answer a question the teacher has asked. All other days are taught by the designated learning coach (parent) and the curriculum is all provided for you. They even provide a computer and printer, and reimburse your monthly internet fees. Her teacher is only a phone call or email away and she takes the time to work with her whenever needed. There is also an optional in person tutoring program for core subjects that is again, absolutely free. Her class also takes field trips all over the state with multiple field trips options categorized by region every week. You pick and choose which ones you want to attend. We usually do about 1 every other month. Because my daughter only has to spend 3 hours or so a day on school, it allows her to be able to participate in more activities outside of school such as; girl scouts, cheerleading, gymnastics, swimming, pottery, horse back riding, yoga, etc. She probably has more social interaction than children in a traditional school since she isn't tied behind a desk for several hours- she is out learning about the world first hand.

 

[MomOf2ThatsMe]

Wow, some of you have a really big misconception about online school.

My daughter attends www.k12.org/ohva (Ohio Virtual Academy). She will be entering 2nd grade in the fall, so she has been attending OHVA for 2 years. She loves it. The curriculum is excellent and she even has the option to start a foreign language in 3rd grade and she has over 40 languages to choose from. Her virtual class meets twice per week via webinar. The children are on mics and even have a button to push to 'raise their hand' to answer a question the teacher has asked. All other days are taught by the designated learning coach (parent) and the curriculum is all provided for you. They even provide a computer and printer, and reimburse your monthly internet fees. Her teacher is only a phone call or email away and she takes the time to work with her whenever needed. There is also an optional in person tutoring program for core subjects that is again, absolutely free. Her class also takes field trips all over the state with multiple field trips options categorized by region every week. You pick and choose which ones you want to attend. We usually do about 1 every other month. Because my daughter only has to spend 3 hours or so a day on school, it allows her to be able to participate in more activities outside of school such as; girl scouts, cheerleading, gymnastics, swimming, pottery, horse back riding, yoga, etc. She probably has more social interaction than children in a traditional school since she isn't tied behind a desk for several hours- she is out learning about the world first hand.

Just curious...is the program self-paced for the most part, or is it more rigid? Also, how does it compare price-wise to say, an average private school at... $6000 a year?

 

[thatgirlisfierce]

this would be a better idea if cheerleading was an olympic sport.

 

[Hi! It's me!]

As a homeschooling parent I am going to chime in here. It all depends on your program. I have homeschooled my youngest since 1st grade and it has been great, Lots of activities, lots of support and I borrow the books from the resource center, I don't purchase them. Her field trips are free through her program and up to me as to whether or not we attend. There are also classes she can attend for art, music, writing, math, etc and I have a certain amount of ed. units to spend on these. Next year, due to divorce I am moving her to a charter that is 2 days in the classroom and 3 days homeschool. It is easier to miss school, I am in Cali and many kids are athletes or running to tv and movie auditions, so many of our homeschool/ charter school programs are designed with those situations in mind. One of my twins did not do well in a classroom enviorment and I pulled him. He is doing an online hs, free of charge, all books are online, he meets with his counselor every week to go over any difficulties he is having. He also has the option of going into the center everyday if he wants and using their computers, He will graduate with a diploma, something not all programs offer, and he is doing really well. When faced with pulling my son or letting him drop out, shudder, I got online and spoke to every hs counselor out there. The trick with these programs is finding the one that works for you. Do your research and be willing to move on if it doesn't work for you.

 

[AllHeartxo3]

You also have to understand the cheer culture in AZ. There are not a lot of really good gyms (Worlds caliber)...you have Desert Storm and Power...that's about it. Both gyms are in North Scottsdale which is 3 to 4 hours from Tucson and even more from Yuma and Flagstaff (if you live in Yuma you are probably closer to Cali). Many of the level 5 kids live in the East Valley which can be a 2 hour drive if you live in Johnson Ranch or Queen Creek.
For kids that have to travel far, this is a great opportunity to get tutoring onsite....
If Cali wanted to make a killing they would open a gym in Gilbert or Chandler, AZ....they would have more kids then they know what to do with....

I was born in Yuma on the marine base

Anyways you're right, there are barely and level 5 gyms and if you want to cheer for a gym that can take you to worlds then this is what you have to do.