Over the last decade, online learning has become increasingly prevalent. For many high school students, online courses provide increased opportunities for credit recovery and for getting ahead academically.
When people speak of online classes, however, concerns regarding course intensity and quality of learning abound. Among online providers, BYU Independent Study (IS) stands out for its rigorous online curriculum and effective course design.
At Great Valley High School (GVHS) in Malvern, Pennsylvania, BYU IS courses are available to students during the summer to supplement their learning. Commonly, GVHS students take BYU IS math classes in order to get ahead and begin earning college credits while still being in high school.
Noticing the significant number of students using the BYU IS courses to get ahead, GVHS head counselor Meridith Bebee became curious about these students’ performance in higher math classes. After careful study, Bebee and GVHS staff were more than satisfied with what they found. “We wanted to make sure that students who took these classes were prepared to be successful in their next math course,” Bebee explained, “and the data showed that they were.”
Mike Brousseau, the BYU CE academic outreach representative responsible for the partnership with GVHS, said the following: “I think it’s a testament to the type of curriculum we’re building here. . . . When kids take a BYU IS class, we’re not just checking boxes; we’re concerned about how these students turn out.”
“The [BYU IS] curriculum is pretty well-aligned with what students would get if they took an in-person course at Great Valley,” Bebee shared. “We feel like we can confidently allow students who want to take those summer courses to do so.”
BYU IS is expanding the academic opportunities of tens of thousands of students at high schools across the country. Whether you're looking to catch up academically, get ahead in your studies, or simply gain access to a greater diversity of course content, BYU IS is there to help.
While there are many reasons one may prefer in-person learning, rest assured that the quality of education need not be sacrificed in taking online classes. BYU IS is a pioneer in the field of online learning, providing individuals and schools with high-quality academic products to further education around the globe.