More Options, More Support: Choosing the Right Online School
As every homeschool parent knows, the opportunities for education have expanded significantly in recent years. With so many options available, decision-making can sometimes feel overwhelming. Our new full-time online private school was created to give families greater flexibility as they find the right fit for their child’s education. This program was developed in response to feedback from current families who were looking for additional academic support and structure at home. In this article, we’ll explore both the part-time and full-time online school options to help families better understand the differences between the two programs and what each offers.
A Flexible Option for Homeschool families
The part-time online school is designed to support homeschooling families who want added enrichment and community while still maintaining flexibility in their daily schedules. Rather than functioning as a replacement for homeschool, this option is intended to complement parent-led learning at home.
In this model, parents guide students through language arts and math at their own pace. Students then attend one hour of live Integrated Studies instruction with a teacher Monday through Thursday. Because of the flexible structure, this option may work especially well for families who enjoy being closely involved in their child’s daily learning and schedule.
The part-time program is also a helpful option for families with younger students in grades K–2, since the full-time school is currently offered for grades 3–8. Each day is designed to provide flexibility while supporting parents in their homeschool journey.
What full-time online school looks like
The full-time online private school is a teacher-led, faith-integrated, accredited K–8 program designed for families who would like more academic structure and support throughout the school year. This option may be especially helpful for parents who want teachers to manage pacing, grading, accountability, and intervention.
Students in grades 3–8 attend live three-hour classes Monday through Thursday in Integrated Studies, math, and language arts. Teachers interact with students through live discussions, small-group lessons, and math labs using face-to-face digital instruction.
To support student progress, each family is assigned a dedicated academic success advisor who stays in contact throughout the year. Advisors assist with academic placement, assignment tracking, goal setting, and general support. Parents can also monitor grades, attendance, and progress through the family dashboard.
As one administrator explained, many families appreciate the full-time option because it allows parents to “focus on being the encourager” while teachers provide grading, feedback, and instructional support.
Preparing students for high school and beyond
The full-time online school was designed with long-term academic preparation in mind. In math and language arts courses, students regularly practice foundational skills such as clear writing, logical reasoning, and communication.
Students also complete three nationally recognized benchmark assessments each year in math and language arts. These assessments help families and teachers better understand grade-level readiness and identify areas where additional support may be helpful before students transition into high school.
Because students receive teacher oversight, grades, and official transcripts, families also have a documented academic record as students prepare for future educational opportunities.
Middle school students participate in project-based and application-driven learning experiences through courses such as Business & Entrepreneurship. In these classes, students create and manage their own income-generating activities while practicing real-world skills like budgeting, marketing, negotiation, and problem-solving.
Students are also encouraged to develop independence by learning to manage assignments, projects, and personal progress using the school’s digital platforms and organizational tools.
For families hoping to remain connected within the AHS community long-term, the online school can also provide a pathway into high school-level credit courses offered through AHS Online.
What are integrated studies?
One unique aspect of both online programs is Integrated Studies. These courses combine faith and academics through subjects such as history, science, geography, and humanities while encouraging students to recognize connections between gospel principles and the world around them.
Integrated Studies topics rotate every two weeks and are taught through live teacher-led instruction and discussion-based learning.
For the 2026–27 school year, Integrated Studies topics include:
- Earth Science — tectonics, oceans, weather, and Earth’s systems
- Geography of North America — landscapes, cultures, indigenous peoples, and modern nations
- American Classics — foundational literature connected to the American story
- Modern U.S. History (1900–Current) — world wars, civil rights, technology, AI, and global change
- Business & Entrepreneurship — middle school students launch a real income-generating activity (IGA)
- Geography and Leadership (half-year courses)
- Art & Music or elective courses
Future years will continue rotating through new science, history, literature, geography, and skills-based topics, including Physical Science, Ancient World History, Life Science, AI Mastery, Digital Arts, Leadership, and STEM-oriented courses.
Through hands-on and interactive learning experiences, the goal of both programs is to help students become lifelong learners who can think critically, communicate clearly, and connect their education to both faith and personal character.
A great resource to see what plan is the right fit for you and your family is our quiz. Just scroll down to the bottom of our Plans and Pricing page linked below:
I am a service missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints with a focus on Christ‑centered education and its ability to strengthen lives worldwide. I’m a passionate writer who is a strong advocate for mental health and personal growth.
