Enrolling at BlueSky: Programs, Process, and What to Expect
Choosing an online school for your student is a big decision, one that comes with plenty of questions. At BlueSky Online, we’ve been guiding Minnesota families through the enrollment process for 25 years, and we understand that every student’s path to online education looks a little different.
Maybe your student needs a complete change from traditional school. Maybe they just need a couple of credits this summer. Or maybe they’re doing well in their brick-and-mortar school but need the flexibility to take additional courses online. Whatever brings your family to BlueSky, we have a program designed to meet your student where they are.
Here’s everything you need to know about BlueSky’s enrollment options, the process itself, and answers to the questions families ask us most often.
Understanding BlueSky’s Three Program Options
BlueSky isn’t one-size-fits-all, and that’s intentional. Over 25 years, we’ve learned that students need different levels of support and flexibility depending on their circumstances. That’s why we offer three distinct programs.
Full-Time Program: Complete Online Education
Our full-time program is designed for students in grades 6-12 who want to complete their entire education online through BlueSky. This is our most comprehensive option, where students take all their required courses with us and graduate with a BlueSky diploma. Who tends to do well in the full-time program?
- Students who need a more flexible schedule due to work, family responsibilities, or competitive athletics
- Students with health needs (including mental health)
- Students who didn’t have a positive experience at their previous school (bullying, exclusion, etc.)
- Students who learn better in a self-paced environment
- Students who haven’t found success in traditional classroom settings
- Students seeking a more individualized approach to education
- Students who want to accelerate their learning or graduate early
Full-time students have access to everything BlueSky offers: our complete course catalog, our experienced teaching staff, our Maker Space, and the full support of our student services team. They’re part of the BlueSky community year-round, with opportunities to connect with classmates through online discussions, creative projects, and optional in-person outings.
The full-time program follows the traditional school year calendar, with students enrolling in fall and spring, though students can enroll at any time. Because BlueSky is a Minnesota public school, there is no tuition cost for Minnesota residents; it’s completely free, just like attending your local public school.
Supplemental Program: Flexible Course Options
Sometimes students don’t need a complete online education, they just need the flexibility to take a few courses online while continuing at their traditional school. That’s where our supplemental program comes in. The supplemental program is perfect for students who:
- Need to recover credits from classes that didn’t go as planned
- Are testing whether online learning is right for them before committing fully
- Need a different learning environment for certain challenging subjects
- Are balancing school with intensive athletic training, performing arts, or other commitments
Supplemental students can take anywhere from one course to half of their course load, combining BlueSky classes with their traditional school in whatever configuration makes sense. They receive the same attention from our experienced staff and have access to the same support systems as our full-time students.
The beauty of supplemental enrollment is its flexibility. Students can start courses at multiple points throughout the year, and work with their home school to ensure credits transfer properly. Many families use supplemental enrollment as a tool, filling gaps in their students’ education or providing alternatives when traditional school isn’t meeting specific needs. Like our full-time program, there is no tuition cost for Minnesota residents taking supplemental courses.
Summer Program: Learning Year-Round
Learning doesn’t stop when the school year ends, and neither does BlueSky. Our summer program offers students the chance to take courses during the summer months, whether they’re catching up, getting ahead, or just staying engaged with academics during the break. Students choose summer courses at BlueSky to:
- Recover credits needed for graduation or grade advancement
- Get ahead on required courses to lighten their load during the regular school year
- Explore elective subjects they’re passionate about
- Maintain academic momentum and prevent summer learning loss
- Free up space in their fall schedule for other opportunities
Summer courses are condensed but comprehensive, designed to cover the same material as courses offered during the regular school year but in a shorter timeframe. BlueSky’s summer program is open to both current BlueSky students and students from other schools. It’s a popular option for families who’ve found that traditional summer school options don’t offer the flexibility they’re looking for.
Note that the BlueSky summer program has a fee for non-BlueSky students.
The Enrollment Process: What to Expect
The most common questions we receive are about enrollment. It can be a little daunting or overwhelming; thankfully, we’ve refined this process over 25 years and have worked to make it as straightforward as possible. Here’s the breakdown:
Step 1: Determine Which Program Fits Your Student
The first step is figuring out which of our three programs aligns with your student’s needs. If you’re unsure, our support staff can help you think through the options. There’s no pressure we want to make sure BlueSky is the right fit before moving forward.
Step 2: Complete the Enrollment Application
Once you’ve decided on a program, you’ll complete an online enrollment application. The application gathers basic information about your student, their educational history, and their goals for online learning. This typically takes 20-30 minutes to complete.
Our team can provide guidance on this process and answer questions about how it works in your specific situation.
For supplemental students, you’ll remain enrolled at your current school and add BlueSky courses to your schedule. We work directly with your home school to ensure proper credit transfer and course alignment.
Step 3: Course Selection and Schedule Building
After your application is processed, you’ll work with our team to select courses and build your student’s schedule. This is where BlueSky’s personalized approach really stands out. We don’t just hand students a generic schedule; we talk through their goals, their learning style, their strengths and challenges, and create an individualized plan that sets them up for success.
For full-time students, this means building a complete schedule that meets graduation requirements while incorporating interests and aspirations. For supplemental and summer students, it means identifying exactly which courses will serve them best.
Step 4: Orientation and Getting Started
Before courses begin, students participate in an orientation that introduces them to BlueSky’s expectations and support resources. This is especially important for students new to online education; we want them to feel confident and prepared from day one.
Our experienced teachers understand that online learning requires different skills than traditional classroom learning. They’re experts at helping students develop time management, self-advocacy, and the independence that makes students successful in the online environment.
Common Questions About BlueSky Enrollment
Over 25 years and thousands of students, we’ve heard just about every question families have about online school enrollment. Here are answers to the most common ones:
Is there tuition? What does BlueSky cost? BlueSky Online is a Minnesota public charter school, which means there is no tuition for Minnesota residents. It’s completely free, just like attending your local public school. Out-of-state students may have different arrangements. Contact us for specifics.
Can my student play sports at their home school if they’re enrolled as a supplemental student at BlueSky? Yes! Minnesota law allows students enrolled in online schools to participate in activities and athletics at their resident school district. This means your student can take classes at BlueSky while still playing on their high school team or participating in band, theater, or other activities. However, you’ll need to work with both BlueSky and your resident district to coordinate this, as your home district will have to agree.
When can students start? Are there specific enrollment periods? Full-time students typically enroll at any time, though we encourage students to enroll at the beginning of the year. Students who enroll at the start of the semester tend to see better outcomes and won’t have to worry about waiting for an opening. We review our waitlist (if there is one) each week and approve enrollment as seats become available. Supplemental and summer students have more flexibility, with multiple start dates throughout the year.
What if online learning doesn’t work out for my student? We understand that online education isn’t the right fit for every student, and that’s okay. Students can transition back to traditional school if needed. For supplemental students, this is simply a matter of not enrolling in additional BlueSky courses. For full-time students, you would re-enroll in your resident school district. We encourage families to communicate with us if concerns arise so we can provide support and explore whether adjustments might help before making a change.
Does my student need a computer? What about internet access? Students do need reliable internet access and a computer to participate in BlueSky courses. For full-time students, BlueSky can provide a laptop for educational use, if needed. Families are responsible for internet connectivity, though we can provide information about low-cost internet options available in Minnesota. For other technology-related questions, check out our Technology & Access FAQ page.
How does BlueSky handle students with IEPs or 504 plans? BlueSky serves students with special education needs and honors existing IEPs and 504 plans. Our special education team works with families to ensure students receive appropriate accommodations and support in the online environment. If your student has an IEP or 504 plan, let us know during the enrollment process so we can coordinate services.
What if my student needs to take a course that isn’t offered at BlueSky? While BlueSky offers a comprehensive course catalog, there may be specialized courses we don’t currently provide. In these cases, we can often work with families to arrange credit through other accredited providers or help students access courses through their resident district while remaining enrolled at BlueSky.
How much parental involvement is required? This depends on the student’s age, maturity level, and learning style. Younger students (grades 6-8) typically need more parental oversight to stay organized and on track. High school students often work more independently, though parent involvement in monitoring progress and communicating with teachers is always valuable. BlueSky provides tools for parents to monitor student progress, and our teachers communicate regularly about how students are doing.
Regardless of age or grade level, parents and guardians are always a valuable part of a student’s support team. While the level of day-to-day involvement may shift as students grow more independent, we encourage parents and guardians to remain active partners—especially in conversations about how to best support their student’s individualized learning. BlueSky communicates regularly with families and welcomes their involvement every step of the way
Will colleges accept a BlueSky diploma? Yes. BlueSky is an accredited Minnesota public school, and our diploma is recognized by colleges, universities, technical schools, and employers. Our graduates have gone on to attend universities across the country, join the military, enter technical training programs, and pursue a wide range of post-secondary paths. Our counselors work with students on college applications, transcripts, and the entire post-secondary planning process.
Our counselors also publish a monthly newsletter, the Counselor Chronicle, which includes an alumni spotlight section highlighting what past BlueSky students are doing today. It’s a great way to see the range of paths our graduates have taken. You can find it on our Resources page under the Counselor Chronicle section.
If you have more questions that weren’t answered here, check out our Enrollment & Course FAQ page or reach out to us.
Ready to Learn More?
After 25 years as Minnesota’s premier online school, we’ve learned that the best enrollment decisions happen when families have all the information they need and feel confident in their choice. We’re here to answer your questions, address your concerns, and help you determine whether BlueSky is the right fit for your student.
Every student’s journey to online education is unique. Some students know immediately that BlueSky is what they’ve been looking for. Others need time to explore their options, ask questions, and think through what makes sense for them. Whatever your timeline, we’re here to support you through the decision-making process.
Ready to take the next step? Visit our enrollment page to learn more about each program and start the application process. You can also contact us directly with questions, we’d love to hear from you and help you navigate this important decision.
