The first time I attended a meeting with my son’s teacher, he was just starting kindergarten. I squeezed into a tiny chair designed for children, my knees nearly touching my chest, as the teacher detailed the challenges. “He hardly participates,” she said. “He prefers to wander off and engage with his classmates.” She handed me a worksheet he had been assigned, and instead of tracing the numbers as directed, he had written, “I LOVE YOU MOM.”
That was the first moment I felt tears prick at my eyes during a teacher conference, the first time I was offered a tissue, and the first time I wished more than anything that he could simply conform to expectations — if only for his own ease. That was only the beginning of many heartbreaks.
His school years unfolded like a rollercoaster, filled with highs and lows, but most often, it was the same narrative echoed by various teachers. He was inattentive, unmotivated, and a source of distraction for his peers — the “good” students.
Eventually, he was diagnosed with ADHD. We tried medication, which provided some improvement initially, but when we adjusted the dosage, he experienced adverse effects and requested a break from the meds. How could we say no? He utilized strategies from his cognitive behavioral therapist to manage his ADHD, but soon, the troubles at school returned. The breaking point came during our sixth-grade parent-teacher conference. The feedback was all too familiar, but now it included new concerns. His classmates were starting to bully him, teachers reported. They would coax him into doing silly things, knowing he would comply, like pretending to be a dog.
My heart shattered.
On the drive home, I felt utterly defeated. “We can’t let him endure this,” I lamented to my husband, tears streaming down my face. “Middle school is challenging enough for typical kids.” He agreed, and we knew we needed to take action. But what could we do?
Some parents might consider homeschooling, but I wasn’t one of them. I had thought about it, but the idea of managing my son’s entire education was daunting — I often felt unqualified and overwhelmed (not to mention my patience levels are frequently low). However, I had heard about a public online school or a hybrid homeschooling option, so I decided to investigate further. Within weeks, my son was enrolled in an online school program called LearnSmart, which adhered to our state’s curriculum. Before he officially started, we underwent an orientation process that lasted several days, during which we learned about the program and what was expected of us.
The school provided us with a loaner laptop, printer, and all necessary books and materials at no cost. His school days commence at 9 a.m., Monday through Friday, featuring social studies, language arts, an hour for lunch, followed by science, math, and a final hour for any loose ends — akin to a study hall. While there are no music, art, or physical education classes like in traditional schools, we can explore those activities at home or find community classes.
He accesses his classes through a platform called Blackboard, where he hears his teachers and can communicate with them and his classmates via chat (there’s also a private chat for questions he prefers to keep discreet) or through his microphone. The daily lessons appear on his screen like a smartboard in a typical classroom, allowing him to follow along with videos or presentations and engage as needed. He submits his assignments online, and occasionally, he completes tasks by hand, which we either scan or photograph and send to his teachers.
As for social interaction, he isn’t isolated from his peers just because he’s learning online. The school offers numerous clubs, talent shows, and even physical meetups. Recently, they organized an event at the local science center exclusively for online students in our area. Additionally, with three siblings and a neighborhood full of kids, he has plenty of opportunities to socialize. We feel confident about his social development, and he does too.
My role is designated as his “learning coach.” Thankfully, I’m not the one teaching — I’m there to support him and help keep him focused, which can be a substantial task at times. The school’s website allows me to view all materials he will need for the week, his classes, assignments, grades, and any overdue tasks.
Daily, I monitor his attendance on the website. It’s crucial to maintain this, as he must meet a specific number of school hours annually to qualify for promotion. He takes regular tests online, but for state assessments, we drive to a nearby hotel where he takes a proctored exam, with a teacher overseeing to ensure no cheating occurs.
While it requires more effort from me than simply sending him off on a bus and assisting with homework, it’s not as intensive as I had imagined full homeschooling would be; I still entrust him to his teachers while primarily serving a supportive role.
The positive changes have been remarkable. There’s no need for a specialized learning plan like a 504, which he had in traditional school to grant him permission to get up if he felt restless. As long as he can hear his teachers, he can move around his space; we even bought him a little trampoline that he often uses instead of sitting in a desk chair. The distractions from, and of, other students are significantly reduced since there’s no opportunity for side conversations or antics, except during brief “hangout minutes” before class starts. Moreover, the flexibility of online learning allows us to conduct school wherever we go.
The additional effort and planning are minor compared to the transformation I’ve witnessed in his outlook. If someone told me I had to stand on my head for the entire school day while balancing a 10-pound weight, I would do it for my son. Because he, like every child who learns differently, deserves an academic environment that enables him to thrive. Right now, that environment is our home.
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In summary, online schooling has provided my son with an accommodating environment that caters to his unique learning needs, fostering both his academic and social development, all while allowing me to play a supportive role in his education.
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