Minnesota high school students can now earn a high school diploma in a way their parents never dreamed of - in a virtual classroom consisting of students and teachers from all corners of Minnesota, from Ada to Zumbrota. Minnesota Online High School (www.mnohs.org), a new public school opening in September, will offer free online courses taught by licensed Minnesota teachers to students throughout the state.
The innovative school has caught the attention of students and educators state-wide, attracting students and teachers from no fewer than 38 counties across Minnesota. So far, about 75 high school juniors and seniors have enrolled for fall classes, and at least 85% of these students live outside the Twin Cities Metro Area. Earlier this summer, over 100 teachers applied for 10 teaching positions, and approximately half of the teachers hired live in Greater Minnesota.
Teaching and learning online has many advantages
"Online learning is a wonderful option for students who are self-motivated and have particular learning needs that can't be met in a traditional classroom setting," says Sharon Balke, Director of Student and Parent Services at Minnesota Online High School (MNOHS).
Online learning offers a number of advantages for students seeking an alternative. Some enroll because they have difficulty scheduling or attending classes due to chronic physical health conditions, mental health issues, jobs, or other family responsibilities. Others are seeking more independence and the personalized attention that online teachers are able to provide. Parents of homeschooled students are enrolling their students at MNOHS as they reach the upper grades, to ensure college readiness in all academic areas. Many students view online learning as excellent preparation for college classes, which are increasingly being taught online.
Online schools such as MNOHS also offer professional development opportunities for teachers, who are realizing the potential of online learning, both as an instructional method and as a way to conveniently add a part-time job. Some of the teachers hired at MNOHS have experienced a reduction in hours at their "brick and mortar" schools, while others are starting families and were attracted by the increased flexibility of working online. All teachers at MNOHS work flexible hours from their own homes.
Elissa Raffa, Co-Director of Curriculum and Teaching, finds teaching online to be an effective method of bringing out the best in her students:
"Like many teachers and students, I got involved in online education because of the flexible hours. I ended up loving it because of the quality of relationships I've been able to develop with students.Time and again I see how students and staff are able to share their best selves with one another online."
MNOHS teachers have access to state-of-the-art curriculum materials, such as interactive online textbooks, but also have the flexibility to create exciting and interesting lessons within a course framework that meets Minnesota State Graduation Standards.
"When you teach online nobody hides in the back of the room," according to Leigh Oltmans, Co-Director of Curriculum and Teaching. "You work with every student as if he or she were sitting in the front row. It's energizing and very rewarding."
Experienced faculty and staff
Although the school itself is new, the four-member development team of MNOHS has provided valuable online learning experiences to Minnesota students for close to ten years. Members of this core group are recognized as pioneers in the field of online high school education, having founded and developed Mindquest, an award winning online high school program and one of the first of its kind in the nation.
"MNOHS grows out of our combined experience - the best that we have learned and the best that we can imagine," says Julie Williams, Director of Operations for MNOHS.
The core team has assembled a highly-respected Board of Directors and Advisory Group with expertise in critical aspects of online learning, public school law and financing, technology and instruction, governance, public relations, student services, and assessment of student achievement. Four of the Board members and one Advisory Group member are administrators in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System (MnSCU), including Dr. Gary Langer, the Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Innovations and Minnesota Online at MNSCU, and Paul Wasko, the Director of eStudent Services for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. This close connection to Minnesota colleges is in line with a key component of the MNOHS mission, which is to prepare students for the rigors of post-secondary study and facilitate their transition into college. While enrolled at MNOHS, students can also seamlessly take online college courses through the Post-Secondary Education Options (PSEO) program to earn both high school and college credit.
MNOHS is unique
Among online schools, MNOHS is unique. In addition to offering highly interactive courses that meet State Graduation Standards, MNOHS offers a variety of student and parent support services. Some of these services include college planning assistance, career counseling, as well as a Student Center for socialization and extracurricular activities, such as student government and a school e-zine.
Parents are also an important part of the equation at MNOHS. Research clearly shows that students are more successful in school when their parents are involved in their education and in the life of the school. At MNOHS, parents are offered easy access through the internet to up-to-date information about student progress and participation, and all parents and teachers speak by phone monthly. There are also opportunities for parents to meet each other through an online Parent Center, with facilitated discussion groups and a PTA.
How to enroll or get more information
More information about MNOHS is available at www.mnohs.org. Enrollments forms are now being accepted and can be submitted online. Students are encouraged to submit their enrollment forms as early as possible to allow enough time to transfer school records.
For questions, please contact Sharon Balke, Director of Student and Parent Services, at 612-227-8499, or by email at sharon.balke@mnohs.org.
Current MNOHS Students and Teachers reside in these Minnesota Counties:
Anoka
Becker
Carlton
Crow Wing
Dakota
Dodge
Douglas
Fairbault
Goodhue
Hennepin
Itasca
Kandiyohi
Lake of the Woods
Marshall
Martin
McLeod
Meeker
Morrison
Mower
Nicollet
Norman
Olmsted
Otter Tail
Pine
Pipestone
Polk
Ramsey
Renville
Rice
Roseau
Sherburne
St. Louis
Steele
Stevens
Wabasha
Waseca
Washington
Winona
Member of Minnesota State College and University System.
An equal opportunity employer/educator.
Un Educador/Empleador De Oportunidad Igual