Ask yourself how your student is feeling so far.

• Is school what they thought it would be this year?
• Are they on the right track with assignments and grades?
• Would they benefit from more of a challenge?
• Do they need more support?
• Could a change improve their learning environment?

For some students, a change in learning environment could fuel their happiness and academic success. But how do you know if switching schools in the middle of the year is the right thing to do?

Well, transferring midyear doesn’t have to be overwhelming or complicated. In fact, many families face this decision every year. In an era of school choice, there are options for families needing a change—including public school online.

Every situation and student is different, but there are several primary motivators that families consider when choosing to transfer in the middle of the year.

Mental Health

Your student’s happiness is the key to their success. Sometimes, our children face challenges in their current learning environment (like bullying) that can prevent them from learning safely and comfortably. With online school, your child can experience a more personalized approach to school in a safe space with caring teachers.

Academic Concerns

Whether your child is having a hard time academically, is a gifted learner, or would focus better without the distractions of a traditional classroom, online school allows students to concentrate on their own progress. Plus, their academic path can be adjusted to meet them where they are and will enable them to focus on areas that need improvement at a pace that works best for them.

Personalized Attention

Perhaps your child doesn’t fit into the constructs of their current learning environment. How much more could they discover about themselves if learning could be more personal? Families who transfer to online school midyear have found that their students can personalize their workspace, attend classes from anywhere there’s internet, take breaks as needed, and explore outside interests.

Health Concerns

Children with weakened immune systems, allergies, asthma, illnesses, or frequent medical appointments can continue school from home with fewer learning disruptions and less exposure to the germs and sicknesses that get passed around throughout the school year.

Surprising Situations

Life can throw us curveballs, and many families who made a midyear transfer shared that they never anticipated needing another school option. This might be due to an unexpected move, natural disaster, or other family change. No matter the circumstances, these families found that the flexibility and personalized approach of online school worked well when a different option was necessary.

What do I do if I need to transfer my child?

If you find yourself in a situation where your family needs to transfer schools, know there are options. Talk to a dedicated enrollment consultant to learn more about online learning with K12 and how to get started. No matter when you switch, you and your child will have lots of support to finish the school year strong.

Learn more about transferring to online school midyear.

Learning Coaches provide personalized, consistent support tailored to their child’s needs, helping keep them engaged, motivated, and on track. Keep reading to discover how you, as a Learning Coach, can make a significant difference in your child’s online learning experience.

What is a Learning Coach?

A Learning Coach is typically a parent or guardian actively supporting their child’s academic journey at a K12-powered school. This role fosters critical life skills like organization, self-motivation, and goal-setting while guiding students through coursework. While not a formal tutor, a Learning Coach adapts to their child’s needs, helping them grow into independent learners prepared for diverse learning environments. You can explore the specific tasks Learning Coaches perform to see how they support each student on their path to success.

DID YOU KNOW?

K12 provides comprehensive training and resources to help parents become confident Learning Coaches. If you’re passionate about being involved in your child’s education, this opportunity allows you to play an essential role in their growth and success.

The Importance of Learning Coaches in an Online Learning Environment

Online learning presents many opportunities that traditional schooling does not, and it also comes with some challenges. Students can become easily distracted in their homes, where all their favorite toys and devices are within reach. Maintaining a consistent routine while learning virtually can also be more difficult since unexpected obligations like caring for younger siblings, running errands, or completing home repairs can interrupt your family’s schedule.

This is where Learning Coaches play a pivotal role. They are a steady support system, helping children stay focused and engaged and ensuring they don’t fall behind. They can help students set up dedicated workspaces, fill out school planners, and work through time management activities.

One major benefit of online school is that parents, as Learning Coaches, can be more involved in their children’s education. They have visibility into the curriculum, connection to the teachers, and access to progress reports to help keep things moving.

Personalized Support for Each Student

Every child has a different learning style, pace, and set of needs. Who better to recognize and adapt to these differences than parents as Learning Coaches? Learning Coaches work with teachers trained in online instruction to provide personalized support that addresses each student’s strengths and areas where they may need extra help. Whether your child needs to bridge gaps in their understanding or requires additional challenges to stay engaged, as a Learning Coach, you’re empowered to collaborate with your child’s teachers to create a customized learning plan tailored for success.

Building Motivation and Accountability

While comprehension is essential, true academic success also depends on skills like self-discipline, time management, and accountability. Learning Coaches instill these habits by working closely with online learners to develop effective study routines, prioritize tasks, and manage their time wisely. This helps them excel in school and prepares them for life’s demands beyond the classroom.

Real-World Impact: Success Stories of Learning Coaches

What could your child achieve with the proper structure, motivation, and emotional support? This is the big question we encourage parents to think about when considering online school options. We know the parent and Learning Coach role with K12 brings immense value to students, helping them reach academic milestones and conquer comprehension roadblocks—but we don’t expect you just to take our word for it or to do it alone.

We know your child is your focus and top priority. You want to make the best, informed decision regarding their growth and development. Below is a real-life example from a parent who became a K12 Learning Coach and saw firsthand how they helped transform their child’s educational journey.

From Hands-On to Independent Learning

Connie was initially overwhelmed by the demands of managing her son Jared’s online schooling. In 4th grade, Jared required 4 to 6 hours of supervision per day, which Connie couldn’t sustain while juggling other responsibilities.

However, with the support Connie received as his Learning Coach, not only did Jared’s academic performance improve, but he also became more independent. Jared learned how to manage his time, stay on task, and reach out for support when needed.

Here’s what Connie had to say:

“Thanks to the structure and autonomy provided by the K12 model, Jared learned how to self-motivate and work independently. While I’m still facilitating the daily process, the time commitment and nature of my involvement are much different.”

In this instance, Connie confidently adjusted managing her son’s education and assured his grades and progress would remain strong. She knew that as a dedicated Learning Coach with support herself, her son would get the assistance he needed in a way that worked for her daily schedule and responsibilities too. The support she received from teachers and other parents in the Learning Coach Community provided both guidance and reassurance throughout Jared’s learning journey.

Personalized Learning and Teacher Collaboration

Continuing with Connie’s story, she also benefited from knowing her child would receive tailored, practical guidance from a dedicated teacher trained in virtual instruction—which eased her concerns regarding her own ability to teach her child the necessary coursework.

“I knew there were some subjects I wouldn’t be able to help Jared with,” Connie explains. He could talk to his teacher whenever he had questions about his assignments. Sometimes, the teacher would recommend supplementary content from the Learning Hub to further his understanding.

Knowing that a certified teacher would be available to monitor and support her son’s academic performance made a significant difference for Connie and took the pressure off her as the Learning Coach—she wasn’t on her own. This reassurance allowed her to focus on her daily responsibilities as a parent, confident that her son received the guidance he needed to thrive.

The Role of Learning Coaches in Supporting Emotional Well-Being

We’ve briefly touched on how Learning Coaches take a holistic approach to mentoring and supporting students, but let’s dive deeper into what that means—specifically regarding emotional well-being.

We recognize that anxiety, feelings of overwhelm, and personal struggles can significantly hinder a child’s academic performance. These emotional and psychological challenges can create barriers to learning, making it difficult for students to focus on their studies or reach their full potential.

Here’s how we make a difference by prioritizing personal wellness:

Creating a Safe, Supportive Learning Environment

A Learning Coach helps students navigate academic stress by offering practical strategies. For example, if your child is anxious about a big exam, as their Learning Coach, you can work with them to break down the material into manageable chunks and teach them stress-reduction techniques to help them regain confidence and focus.

Preventing Burnout and Overwhelm

We’re all familiar with unhealthy study habits like last-minute cramming or pulling all-nighters—study methods that aren’t sustainable and rarely work. Learning Coaches can strongly discourage these practices, knowing that academic success is achieved through steady, consistent studying, and personalized support.

Learning Coaches work with students to eliminate poor studying habits and transform learning into a positive experience. While they help promote accountability, they don’t overload students with information or place unreasonable expectations on them. Learning Coaches remind students that it’s all about achieving meaningful, incremental progress over time.

How to Become an Effective Learning Coach

Would you like to become a Learning Coach for your child? Would you benefit from having access to the tools, resources, and strategies necessary to better support their studies?

Here’s how to get started on your Learning Coach journey when you enroll your child at a K12-powered online school:

• Find Community: Be sure to log in to the K12 National Learning Coach Community through your enrollment portal to connect with other parents, ask questions, and share resources and tips.
• Establish a Routine: Set and maintain a consistent daily schedule that includes dedicated time for lessons, breaks, and extracurricular activities.
• Stay Patient: Remember to maintain a supportive atmosphere. Avoid getting frustrated and take a break when necessary. Celebrate your child’s success when they progress, even if it’s a small step forward!
• Communicate Regularly With Teachers: You can always ask questions about your child’s progress, areas needing improvement, and any resources or strategies to enhance their learning experience.
• Utilize Resources: At K12, we provide parents access to a wide range of resources to succeed as Learning Coaches.

Empower Your Child’s Future: The Lasting Impact of Learning Coaches

With the support of a dedicated Learning Coach, your child can thrive both academically and personally. From helping students master their coursework to providing emotional support, parents as Learning Coaches play a crucial role in each child’s success. Explore K12’s programs, from online public school to live online tutoring, and give your child the tools they need to achieve greatness.

Ready to see how you can transform your child’s learning experience as a Learning Coach? Learn more about the Learning Coach role or contact us today for personalized support.

So, what is bullying?

Bullying is repeated, unwanted, and aggressive behavior where someone uses their power, real or perceived, to hurt someone. This can be making fun of or insulting someone, name-calling, causing physical harm, excluding someone on purpose, damaging personal property, and spreading rumors. Cyberbullying takes place online, often through social media, but it can also occur through text, forums, and gaming. Sometimes, it’s anonymous; sometimes, it’s not.

Know the Warning Signs of Bullying

Bullying can be hard to talk about, especially for kids, making it all the more important to know what to watch for and the signs. Even children who typically share openly may not discuss these situations with their parents or teachers.

StopBullying.gov is a great resource to learn more about bullying prevention and find out what you can do—starting at home with your own family.

You can watch for signs of bullying like:

• changes in social behavior
• trouble sleeping or bad dreams
• lower grades or loss of interest in school
• sudden changes in eating habits
• lost or damaged possessions
• complaints of feeling ill or faking being sick

If you notice any of these signs with your child, you can open up a conversation with them to find out if anything else is going on. From there, you can plan and take appropriate next steps, whether speaking to your child’s teacher, meeting with a classmate’s parent, or teaching your child how to block and report others online.

Bullying Is Tough, Talking About it Helps

In addition to knowing the warning signs of bullying, there are things you can do to help your child practice kindness and encourage the kind of community where bullies aren’t welcome in the first place.

You can talk to your kids about:

• what a bystander is, and how you can use your voice to stand up for others
• how important it is to be respectful online and on social media
• understanding the difference between being a tattletale and sharing serious issues like bullying with trusted adults
• practicing empathy and working to understand people who may have different perspectives and experiences

K12 is committed to making sure every student feels comfortable and respected. Together, we can create communities of kindness where inclusivity is important.

You can learn more about how we create safe spaces through our K12 Days of Kindness initiative.

Be a Buddy, Not a Bully

Want to start a low-key chat about bullying at home with your family? Here’s a conversation starter and downloadable checklist that sums up the signs to watch out for and what you can do if you see them.

Find More Resources

There are a lot of great resources out there about bullying prevention. StopBullying.gov is a great website to visit for more tips and tools about dealing with bullying and creating safe spaces. Many of their resources are designed for children, so you can have your child learn about these critical issues from other kids like them. Bringing up the tough topics at home from the perspectives of other kids can be a way to open the conversation.