"For some, online classes replace summer school"

This summer, hundreds of high school students in Loudoun County Public Schools are taking advantage of summer classes offered online in partnership with George Mason University.

Since high school summer school – usually attended by about 500 students – was canceled this year due to budget cuts, the school system has seen a jump in the number of students enrolling in online classes, said Peter Hughes, director of curriculum and instruction for Loudoun County Public Schools.

Last summer about 60 students took courses online. This year more than 220 are signed up.

“Because there is no summer school there isn’t another option,” he said. “There are a variety of reasons for students taking these courses. Some failed, some need it to graduate and some take it because they want to accelerate.”

Most of the core high school classes are offered online over the summer, including English 9,10,11 and 12, Algebra 1 and 2, geometry, world history, government, earth science, biology, physics and a variety of language courses.

The courses are 140 hours and require some discipline to get through and a different learning style than a regular high school class, Hughes said.

“Students have to be pretty motivated,” he said. “The course is meant to be spread out over the summer. We expect the time commitment would be the same total number of hours, just more flexibly organized.”

Hughes said the curriculum is built around the same major concepts students normally have in a high school classroom.

There are textbooks, and each student who is enrolled is matched with a teacher who serves as a mentor for the class. Students can e-mail or call the teacher if they need help or advice along the way.

Most of the summer courses are already underway and some will begin in the next week or so, Hughes said.

“Almost every high school has students in an online course at this point,” he said. “It probably will make a difference to some kids. With the budget decision to reduce summer school, our job then was to begin looking at what other alternatives could fill the need.”