Stanford University Online High School

Why did you choose OHS?

I moved on to the Stanford Online High School in 3rd grade. I began with Stanford's EPGY and moved on to the Stanford Online High School my eighth grade year. During my time with EPGY and OHS, I have experienced nine years of online education in four countries. The OHS became my continuity in my ever-changing world. From eighth grade to tenth grade, I was a part-time student with the Stanford Online High School. It was during the summer after my sophomore year that I was confronted with the difficult decision of how to complete my high school education. During my sophomore year, I had been living in England with my mother, while my father lived in Egypt and my brother attended school in Washington D.C. Having family on three continents made it difficult to be together at the same time and I decided to move to the United States near my brother with my mother. This reduced the number of continents my family was spread across from three to two. I knew from my past experiences with the OHS, the high-caliber of the program and the academic freedom it offered. The OHS teachers engaged me in ways that cultivated my curiosity. They opened possibilities due to their dedication and willingness to explore topics the students propose. In class, while there may be a curriculum, it never limited the discussion to simply those topics. The teachers want to foster a culture of inquisitiveness and intellectual curiosity. The OHS offered me a rigorous dynamic program that would help me to develop as a person, with the flexibility to allow me to be close to my family.

What are classes like at OHS?

There is no denying that classes at the OHS are challenging. The workload is difficult and the courses require a lot of focus. However, the challenge makes the classes engaging and extraordinarily rewarding. The instructors are excellent at making sure that any work done is relevant to what is studied and helps to progress students'knowledge. There are no assignments that serve as 'busy work'; rather, the assignments are specifically created to promote a vibrant discussion of the material. The instructors at the OHS offer the best of all worlds. Not only are they all vastly knowledgeable in the subject they teach, they are all extremely receptive to questions and encourage an active discussion in class. Most classes last an hour and fifteen minutes and meet two times per week, either on Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays. The classes are spread throughout the day. This schedule offers students the freedom to organize their own work schedule and to fit extracurricular activities in during the week. The classes are hosted on Adobe Connect software and consist usually between 10-18 people. This allows students to have active discussions face-to-face over the computer without feeling that their voice isn't heard. When students aren't on camera asking or answering questions, they are able to talk with peers in a text chat. The organization of the software allows any idea that a student may want to propose to be noticed by the class. Often times instructors separate students into smaller groups called 'breakout rooms' that allow us to take different paths on a problem, whether that be a math question or an interpretation of a stanza of poetry. The class format promotes an active discussion and allows students to contribute their points while maintaining a connection with each student.

What is student life like at OHS?

The greatest concern that most people have with online education is the social aspect. However, it need not be such a worry with the Stanford University Online High School. Throughout the year, there are meet-ups all across the country and even the world. Just last year, I was invited to a meet at the U.S Senate. One of the OHS students had been working as a senate page and offered to tour us within the Senate itself. It is an experience that I absolutely will not forget anytime soon. The meet-ups aren't the only way that the physical distance between students is overcome. Extracurricular clubs enable students to meet and discuss topics that they all share a common interest in. In addition, students often create Skype groups. These Skype groups help to forge relationships that are just as strong as those of students in brick and mortar schools. Student life at the OHS is extremely supportive and diverse. With students from all over the world, students can bring a vast amount of perspectives to classes and friendships. The students all support each other and are completely open to helping each other both academically and emotionally.

How has OHS helped you realize your goals?

The OHS has enabled me to explore my limits in many different ways. At my brick and mortar school I wouldn't have been able to take as advanced of classes as I have at the OHS. The teachers and administration were kind enough to give me a chance to see how I could stretch my academic abilities. The academic options I had were expanded dramatically. While the work may be tough, it is worth every bit of effort as I can see myself grow not just academically but as a person. The OHS, especially the Core classes, have helped me to reevaluate many of my own opinions and to help me develop into what I consider an improved version of my past self. Also thanks to the OHS, I have been able to see my family much more. I can now see my dad in Egypt much more often and can visit other relatives in the United States more often than if I was at a brick and mortar school. The ability to access the rigorous education from anywhere in the world is so valuable. In addition, the flexible schedule has enabled me to explore interests outside of the classroom such as scientific research. Just recently, I was able to go to a research festival at the National Institute of Health in order to see presentations by the people at the cutting edge of biological research. After the presentation I was then able to take my class, Critical Reading and Argumentation, in the cafÃ©. The ability to have a rigorous mobile education has freed me to develop personal connections and to pursue my interests.

Ask Chad a question:

Your Name:
Email Address:
Your Question: