Online high schools in New York
The state of New York has long been associated with high education standards. Regents examinations and charter schools, for instance, have encouraged innovation and rigor. Today, the state is at a crossroads as it explores various alternatives for virtual education. Private online high schools in New York state offer flexibility in scheduling and curriculum for different types of students.
Online studies in New York City
In New York City, selected schools in the Innovation Zone, or iZone, provide online resources, while experimenting with initiatives such as competency-based grading. The NYC iZone website describes collaborative learning and cultural exchange opportunities as well as exposure to the real world through guest lectures and internships.
Some public schools and districts offer selected online classes that are not offered in-school. For example, the NYC Department of Education supported program, iLearnNYC, encourages students to take virtual courses such as these:
- Advanced Placement, or AP
- Credit recovery
- Foreign languages
Such programs reach out to diverse groups, including at-risk and high-achieving students. Generally, these schools run on a work-at-your-own-pace schedule, and age limits are possible -- some schools require students to be at least 18 years old.
Advantages of New York online high schools
Some education professionals believe that online education provides benefits not found in traditional classrooms. In a New York Times article on April 6, 2011, educator Gary Stager writes that online learning is not bound by artificial schedules, random teacher assignments or age segregation. Stager proposes that students feel more connected online than in school settings where talking may be seen as an infraction and teacher access is curtailed.
As you research part-time or full-time online high schools in New York City and across the state, check that academic programs fulfill state requirements and allow your credits to transfer.