Questions by Parents/Students
Q. Why would a student take an online course through Learner Middle & High School?
A. We offer a world of options for students. At Learner Middle & High School, students can complete a semester course in four to 16 weeks. Students can catch up on missed credits, take a subject not offered at their traditional school, improve their technology skills, solve a scheduling conflict, try a different method of learning, or supplement their learning activities if homeschooled or temporarily home bound. Full-time students at LMHS can focus their energy on a few subjects at a time – while still covering the classes they need in the school year.
Q. Are LMHS courses for credit?
A. Credits earned in an LMHS course are equivalent to a traditional middle and high school semester-length class. Full-time LMHS students earn credit towards their diploma by following the graduation requirements as stated in the Student/Parent Handbook. LMHS student services will assist part-time students and their parents in ensuring that credits earned at LMHS will transfer to their primary middle or high school.
Q. Is LMHS accredited?
A. Yes. Committed to the provision of quality programs for students, LMHS is accredited by the National Association for the Legal Support of Alternative Schools. In addition, Learner Middle & High School is a candidate for accreditation with AdvancED. The North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI) are accreditation divisions of AdvancED.
Q. Do students take the courses on their own time or school time?
A. The beauty of online courses is that students can study where, how and when they want. However, students must adhere to their instructor's course outline and guidelines, which may require specific assignment due dates, participation in live online chats, threaded discussions, and online or oral quizzes.
Q. Do students need a computer at home?
A. LMHS highly recommends that students have continuous access to a computer with Internet access, preferably in the home. If students don't have a computer with reliable Internet access at home, they can use computers at the public library, internet cafes and community centers. Students will also need to have a webcam or webcam access in order to participate in oral quizzes.
Q. Is there a teacher for every class?
A. Yes. Certified teachers work closely with students in each course to provide guidance and frequent feedback as students progress through the curriculum. LMHS teachers are content area experts in the fields that they teach.
Q. Will students need to be online at the same time as the instructor?
A. The majority of LMHS courses are conducted asynchronously, allowing students to participate at any time of the day. Some courses do require that students attend live chat sessions with their instructor and/or classmates, and most courses require two oral quizzes during the course via webcam. For class meetings, times and dates are determined by the instructors. Individual meetings for assistance or oral quizzes are by appointment.
Q. What is the difference between "asynchronous" and "synchronous" discussions?
A. Asynchronous discussions, or "threaded discussions," are intended for students to post messages at their leisure, or as otherwise instructed by their teacher. Synchronous discussions, or online "chats" are intended for all students and their instructor to be present to communicate at the same time.
Q. What about assignments, quizzes and tests?
A. LMHS courses all have assignments that students turn in via a digital dropbox housed right in the course. Most of the courses also contain quizzes, tests, and a culminating project.
Q. How many LMHS courses can students take at one time?
A. Part-time students usually take only one to two courses at any given time, depending on their current academic schedule at their primary school. On average, a full-time LMHS student will take six credits per academic year in order to fully meet graduation requirements. The number of courses to reach six credits depends on the number of one-semester and two-semester courses taken. For example, most science, math, and English courses are two-semester courses, thus 1 credit each. Many electives are equivalent to one-semester courses and are 0.5 credits each. Full-time student schedules are determined on an individual basis and may vary.