Back-to-school season is here! Scholars and their families are enjoying the last few days of summer break and preparing for a new and exciting school year. Many families are getting ready for their first school year with an independent study program like Compass Charter Schools (CCS). This means that their scholars will be learning outside of a traditional classroom and creating personal learning plans and goals.
Preparing for a new year of learning through an independent study program is often a little different than preparing for school at a traditional brick-and-mortar. We’re sharing a few useful tips to help scholars who are new to independent study prepare for the new school year. Here are our top four tips:
Organize Your Learning Space
Independent study programs, like CCS, offer scholars the flexibility to create personalized learning experiences. Scholars who participate in this type of educational program spend time learning outside of a traditional classroom, which means they have the freedom to create their own learning space. To prepare for the start of a new school year, we encourage scholars to create and organize a learning space that inspires them and helps them focus. Having a designated workspace can help scholars stay organized and on schedule. Learning coaches and scholars can work together to prepare the learning space for the year. It’s often helpful if the area is well lit with minimal distractions and a table or desk for scholars to do their work and stay focused. To stay organized throughout the year, families may also want to consider adding a few shelves or a bookcase with folders and binders to the workspace, and a place to display academic achievements. To get the new school year off to a great start, we believe it’s important for scholars to have an organized, designated learning space that inspires and encourages them.
Create Your Learning Schedule
Unlike brick-and-mortar schools, scholars who choose an independent study program have the ability to create a personalized learning schedule. They can choose to focus on their academics early in the morning, in the evening, or even on the weekend if needed. Before the new school year begins, we recommend that scholars and their families create a learning schedule or outline. This schedule can be broad or very specific depending on each families needs. When creating a schedule, we encourage scholars to think about their preferences and needs. Some scholars may need to focus on their academics early in the morning before practice, auditions, and other activities. Other scholars may be at their best in the afternoons and want to focus on their academics during the later part of the day. Regardless of preference, we encourage scholars to create a schedule at the beginning of the school year to help them stay on track with their academics!
Update Your Electronic Equipment
Scholars who learn through an independent study program usually need some type of an electronic device to help them research, study and complete their assignments. Scholars at CCS use programs like StrongMind, SeeSaw, and AdobeConnect to complete and submit academic assignments. We strongly encourage scholars and their families to update and prepare the electronic devices that they plan to use during the school year. The IT department at CCS helps scholars and their families prepare their electronics and software programs to ensure academic success. Families at CCS are strongly encouraged to seek guidance from the IT department to ensure that their devices are ready for the new school year. It’s important to start the year with equipment that’s ready to help scholars learn and achieve their goals!
Order Your Curriculum Materials
Scholars in an independent study program learn outside of a traditional classroom. This often means that they need to order their curriculum materials rather than receiving them in a classroom. While many scholars in the online program at CCS do not need to order any curriculum materials, scholars in the homeschool program definitely do. CCS has a great team of credentialed educational facilitators that help homeschooling families select and order the curriculum they need for the new school year. We encourage families to order their curriculum and materials before the start of the new school year. Doing so often gives each family some time to glance over the curriculum and make changes if necessary. It’s a great way for families to ensure that they are prepared for the new school year!
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Compass Charter Schools (CCS) is a WASC-accredited virtual charter school that serves families throughout California. Interested in learning more about CCS’ flexible academic programs? Visit our website, or contact our enrollment team at enrollment@compasscharters.org or (877) 506-8631.