Laying the Foundation in Elementary School
Online students in kindergarten through grade 5 require a lot of support from their parents or academic coaches and educators. Laurel Springs provides a variety of academic resources to create a proper learning progression, but much responsibility falls on parents or academic coaches to ensure successful completion of assignments and projects. A daily routine for students in this age group should include a variety of activities and breaks to help children stay engaged and on task.
Furthermore, parents need to monitor and recognize their child’s comprehension in order to successfully partner with their teachers at Laurel Springs. This helps to mold the student’s lessons and learning pace.
Shifting to Independence in Middle School
The Middle School years are a transformative time for students, and Laurel Springs aims to help parents contribute to their success by providing age- and academic level-appropriate resources.
Parents of students in grades 6 through 8 can allow their children more independence. While parents still need to assist with some lessons and coursework, children must have the opportunity to think critically and solve problems more independently at this stage.
Additionally, this freedom makes it even more imperative that parents monitor their child’s progress and comprehension. Parents should communicate with teachers regularly to help develop learning plans.
Taking Ownership in High School
As students in grades 9–12 become more capable of directing their studies, parents can move into more of a supporting role in their child’s academics. Students should create and act on their own schedules at this stage.
Students are encouraged to meet with their College Counselors and communicate directly with them via Naviance. Resources for High School parents include Observer accounts to monitor their child’s progress, ability to connect with their child’s College Counselor, and access to Naviance for observing their child’s college plans. This allows students to take true ownership of their education and future goals, while giving parents a window into their progress.