Traditional vs. Virtual School: 5 Things to Consider

Updated November 2023

There are many ways to learn. Until last year, many considered online school an alternative for students who couldn’t keep up. But now that almost all students have experienced some form of virtual learning, it’s evident that online school benefits all learners.

Here in Minnesota, families can send their children to any school. Private schools, online schools, charter schools, and homeschooling are all alternatives to conventional public schools. This post discusses the significant differences between traditional and online schools.

1. Online school is flexible.

Each student is unique, whether they thrive in a traditional environment or online. Attending classes Monday through Friday, week after week, isn’t realistic for every student. Some students have a financial obligation to work. Others are training in elite sports or without reliable transportation.

Virtual school allows students to learn independently without a strict schedule. At BlueSky, students can choose between Group Pace or My Pace. The freedom to choose their learning environment gives students a sense of autonomy.

Group Pace

Group Pace courses are for students who prefer structure and community. These students attend classes during regular school hours. Students have frequent opportunities to interact with their peers in live learning environments.

In Group Pace classes, students must attend one or more weekly live online sessions. This ensures that all students are caught up, allowing for productive discussions.

My Pace

My Pace courses are for students who need a flexible schedule. These courses feature self-paced, independent work and variable start and end dates. This allows students to create an individualized learning experience.

Students who choose the My Pace option are still held to high expectations. BlueSky staff help students create a time management system and structure their assignments. While they have more flexibility, students learn valuable lessons in responsibility and ownership.

2. Online school eliminates distractions.

Traditional school is packed full of distractions. Virtual school allows students to focus on learning, free of peer pressure, gossip, and bullying. Many students participating in online school still get plenty of social time. It just means they spend time with friends doing things they enjoy rather than sneaking in a few minutes between classes.

Social anxiety is a significant barrier to learning in middle and high-school-aged students. We use a social-emotional learning structure that provides mental and emotional support for a better educational experience.

Some students find that virtual school is a better fit for them. It allows students to focus on schoolwork and learn independently.

Students also choose online learning to supplement traditional school. Supplemental classes provide courses for college entrance requirements.

3. Online school prepares students for college and careers.

Traditional and online schools allow students to enroll in Post Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) or college-level courses. BlueSky goes beyond those options by offering college and career planning electives. Our career academy provides students with opportunities to explore as they consider their future. These courses enhance students’ college and/or career planning. 

4. Online school provides individualized support.

When students go to school online, it can look like they’re going at it alone. But that could not be further from the truth at BlueSky. We work hard to provide an effective learning environment for all students.

We provide students with a supportive and caring staff who value every student. The support system we offer students and families is one of the most critical aspects of BlueSky! Every student has a counselor, advisor, and social worker. This team helps students navigate their day-to-day responsibilities and look toward the future. This staff is available via email, phone, and text so students can reach them anytime.

We often hear families concerned with how little support their students receive from brick-and-mortar schools. This usually concerns the ratio of counselors or teachers to students. But BlueSky students have that support from the start until graduation and beyond. At BlueSky, we have a counselor-to-student ratio of 1:100. The state average is 1:570! We also have a high number of advisors and social workers who are available to support students. With so many dedicated BlueSky staff members, you know your students will get the individualized attention they deserve.

5. Online school goes beyond the curriculum.

BlueSky courses help students develop valuable skills. Our curriculum emphasizes social and emotional learning (SEL). This allows us to teach in a way that is compassionate and supportive. We give students the tools to develop and refine their social-emotional learning skills.

All students at BlueSky have a dedicated team to support them in their academic and social-emotional success. BlueSky teachers, advisors, counselors, and social workers strive to engage students in learning. We meet the unique needs of each student through constant communication and encouragement. Students frequently communicate with teachers in various ways, including via phone, e-mail, chat, and text messages. Students are taught self-advocacy skills and are always encouraged to contact their support team whenever needed.

BlueSky Teachers

Teachers provide students with daily instruction and individual help in classes. They are specialists in their instruction area and will help with assignments. Because BlueSky teachers design their lessons, they can easily modify assignments to accommodate struggling students with a specific concept. This allows students to receive the content through their learning styles. Our teachers are compassionate, flexible, and always willing to meet students where they are in their learning journey.

• Design engaging lessons
• Provide one-on-one help
• Communicate with students by phone, email, text messages, and online chats
• Communicate expectations, requirements, and deadlines
• Work with each student to figure out how they can be successful
• Provide comments, encouragement, and suggestions
• Keep students updated on their progress

BlueSky Advisors

Advisors are the go-to person for help with academic courses, navigating school, and establishing a schedule. They connect students with the right person to help them succeed.

• Act as the first line of support
• Keep in touch with students through email, text, and online chats
• Get to know each student and their family
• Provide encouragement and support
• Help students problem-solve when obstacles get in the way
• Monitor students’ academic progress and provide updates
• Keep track of class attendance
• Inform students about BlueSky events, deadlines, and requirements
• Act as an advocate

BlueSky Counselors

School counselors support students in meeting their academic and career goals. They assist in scheduling classes, graduation progress, and preparing for college and careers.

• Help each student plan their path from enrollment to graduation and beyond
• Inform each student about the credits needed for graduation
• Help students choose courses according to their interests and credit needs
• Provide guidance and resources for exploring colleges and universities
• Help with financial aid applications

BlueSky School Social Workers

All students have access to a school Social Worker. They assist with school, family, and personal concerns- anything that might affect well-being. They can provide resources and referrals and are also available for crisis help. BlueSky social workers also offer elective courses such as Mind Over Mood, Attacking Anxiety, and The Real You that help students develop coping skills and work through specific mental health challenges.

• Provide confidential help with school, personal, or family concerns
• School concerns (motivation, goal setting, scheduling, attendance)
• Family concerns (divorce or separation, serious illness or death, any other issue)
• Personal concerns (relationships, self-esteem, mental health, substance abuse, grief and loss)
• Resource and referral (financial help, legal help, prenatal care, housing, mental health care)
• Crisis help (any major event or issue that needs immediate help)