Personalized Education

Summer is officially here, and that means students may be taking a break from their courses. This is a great opportunity to try a new book! We recently hosted our summer assembly with guest speaker Elisabeth Dahl, author of the book Genie Wishes. It was a great way to end the school year!

As a virtual school, CMASAS takes online safety very seriously. One concern some parents have are internet challenges. These “challenges” have become popular and are often times dangerous. One challenge that has been in the headlines is the alleged “Momo challenge.” 

Talking about math and engaging with your student about numbers is important, true math is learned by doing. However, there are countless studies which show that talking about math and numbers can spark an early interest in math and can decrease anxiety around math. 

The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page. — Saint Augustine Have you heard? A group of CMASAS students are in Havana, Cuba this week! We launched a new program this year where students embark on national (USA) and international trips with their teachers and peers. Get a glimpse into what our students areexperiencing on their 9-day exploration of Cuba, witnessing the nation’s culture, conservation efforts, and vibrant art.

What a beautiful thing it is when students are celebrated for their individuality and are given opportunities to advance in their education in truly personal ways. Online school is one of the few unique environments in life where students, regardless of personality type, can step into their strengths. In online school, extroverts are not considered too assertive and introverts aren’t deemed as too shy. With personalized education platforms, extroverts can find stimulation through immediate interaction while introverts can simultaneously find solace in careful reflection.

Does technology make us feel alone? Does it inhibit us from being our true selves? Since the development of the Internet, smartphones, social networking sites and texting, many have debated whether these tools for connection actually connect people or rather separate them. Many sociologists, psychologists, and even neurobiologists agree that technology decreases intimacy, inhibits genuine connection, and even causes social anxiety and stress.

Can you believe it? December is half way through and the holidays are upon us. For many, the holiday season is a time of vibrant celebration filled with meaningful traditions. Though this season can often be stressful, lonely and tiresome, it also brings fellowship with friends and family, intentional times of reflection and gratitude, and extra events or activities of fun and adventure.

One of our values at CMASAS is to come alongside families on the journey that is educating their children. Because circumstances change, children grow and life continues to throw us curve balls, educating our kids truly is a journey. That’s why we are inviting parents to join CMASAS co-founder Tamra Excell in a live webinar, as she presents practical tips and resources that can help parents navigate through their own personal homeschooling journey.

Ask any one of the instructors, administrators or staff of CMASAS why they are passionate about online school education and they’ll probably tell you a personal story, a story of how online school impacted their lives. Hi! My name is Kimberly and I write blog posts for CMASAS and help with social media. It is such a privilege interacting with all of you, this online family. Online school deeply impacted my life, and I wanted to share my story with you. I was homeschooled from kindergarten through ninth grade and was enrolled in a couple different online schools and virtual learning programs over the years. My time as an online school student was unforgettable and I learned so many lessons that have helped me pursue a remarkable life.

This week's message comes from school co-founder Christopher Geis. Christopher lives in sunny San Diego and travels throughout the country to meet with CMASAS students and staff. While you will mostly hear about successful and positive outcomes from CMASAS students, one outcome has bothered me for the past month and I would like to share it with you and hear your thoughts and comments.

This week's Food For Thought comes from online school co-founder, Tamra Excell. Read more about Tamra and her mission to create a personalized education for all students on her website here. How much control do you feel over your own life? Are you in the driver’s seat, or do you feel like you are being taken for a ride?

This week's message comes from school co-founder, Chris Geis. Chris lives with his wife, Linda, in sunny San Diego and travels throughout the country to meet with CMASAS students and staff. The most frequent question I hear from parents thinking about enrolling their children in CMASAS is “what makes us different from other online schools?” The quick answer is simple - it's the people - our instructors, Personalized Education Coaches, Administrative team - that separates us from the rest. After all, it is the connections that students make during their school years that are most memorable - even for students at a distance based online school.

For the majority of our online school students, it’s back to school season! New school years and courses are an excellent time to start fresh, build good routines, practice great disciplines, and reignite passions for learning. Here are five back to school tips we’ve curated specifically for our online school students.

At CMASAS, we not only strive to give children the best online education possible but we also seek to fully empower and care for our students in every sphere of their lives. This doesn’t mean that we can ensure that our students eat healthy meals or have good relationships with their siblings, but we do structure our enrollment programs, courses, and class work in ways that empower and aid students under many different circumstances.

Much more than simply an alternative to traditional classroom education, online school empowers students to think differently, dream bigger, and pursue futures of innovation and excellence. In a world that is becoming increasingly mobile, technologically based, and information heavy, our goal at CMASAS is not simply to help students keep up, but to push them to pave the way. One of the methods that this next generation is able to design a new way of living is through entrepreneurship. Here are three ways that online school empowers students to become entrepreneurs.

Ask any third grader what their favorite ice cream flavor is and they will surely have a definite answer. Or ask a handful of sixth graders who their favorite athletes are and you’ll receive a whole myriad of responses. Children learn from a young age how to differentiate preferences and pick favorites. It’s part of the process of developing into a unique individual. Though it’s easy to pick a favorite ice cream, it can often be challenging for young people to determine other more important preferences and “best fits.” How do I learn best? What are the proper motivators I can use? How do I prefer to communicate with others? At what pace can I push myself to learn and complete tasks? These are questions that children and teens are never taught to ask themselves and rarely do educators give young people the tools they need to determine these important preferences.

Nearly every child has a desire within them to slow down time and never grow old. It’s the Peter Pan in every youth that shies away from adult ways of life. As educators, it’s important to allow children to act as children throughout their studies, while also empowering them with the principles and tools they need to become thriving adults. The transition from youth into adulthood is a bit challenging for everyone, yet student’s of online schools are prepared for college and careers in unique and immense ways. Online school students are taught practical lessons that are easily applicable in work places and careers, such as the ability to think globally, to stay organized, to work in a variety of settings, and to use technology well. Here are three of the most prominent ways in which online school prepares students for careers.

Unless you're a total bookworm, summer reading lists are probably not your absolute favorite. The lists are typically filled with a mix of classical literature, novels written in the previous century, and weighty volumes that teachers profess will be entertaining and applicable to your life but never truly are. But hopefully you've experienced the wonderful way in which one can get lost in the world of a book and how reading can be the very best tool for gaining knowledge. Eric Schmidt says, "I still believe that sitting down and reading a book is the very best way to really learn something."

School can be stressful, especially if the school’s curriculum, classes and programs do not match each student’s learning style, goals, interests, and personalized needs. At CMASAS, we strive to create stress-free, personalized education that empowers each student. Here are four reasons why online school can help minimize a student’s stress.

Technology is morally neutral. Computers, cell phones, websites and social media applications — they can all be used for immense good or in ways that do others great harm. Cyberbullying is not a new phenomenon but rather is a growing and alarming occurrence in the lives of young people today. As parents and as educators, it is important to know how to empower children to use technology (especially social media) in healthy and wise ways. Though social media is nothing to fear, it is estimated that nearly 30% of students in the U.S. are involved in bullying online — as victims, perpetrators or both. Be empowered to take some time to talk with your children about cyberbullying and how to safely use technology while still having fun.

Albert Einstein once said, “If you judge a fish by his ability to climb a tree, he’ll spend his whole life believing he’s an idiot.” For many students, this is what traditional school systems feel like. Take for instance the young man who knows he is destined to play basketball professionally and spends every free moment training, practicing and perfecting his skills. His coach believes the young athlete is talented, his parents encourage his love for sports, and he is well on his way towards playing at a collegiate level. However, his math score is too low based on school accreditation standards, thus he will not be able to move from the 11th grade to the 12th grade.

Are labels useful or harmful? This is a question posed to me after a recent panel on neurodiversity. It’s a commonly-asked one and, I think, an important one. Having a name for an orientation, condition, or preference can give a sense that one isn’t alone. A sense of belonging. If there is a name for it, then that could mean there are others who are similar. It can be affirming, giving a reason for certain challenges, and hopefully highlighting the benefits too. This same label can provide something to search for on Google, to read up on in the research, or to locate meet-ups or groups with others who wear this same label. It gives a place to start.

Young would-be entrepreneurs struggle with frustrations. People and systems stand in their way. No one listens to them or appreciates what they try to do. Their great strength lies in their absolute self-confidence, and it seems to them no one shares their convictions. And, the traditional education system becomes their number one enemy.

When transferring to a new online high school, one of the most important factors is to make sure all of the student’s transcripts are transferred. Luckily, at CMA-SAS, it's incredibly easy for students to transfer mid-semester because transcripts make it easy to slide into session. It happens all the time.

These terms are often used inter-changeably. If you become proficient or competent in multiplication of numbers 1-10, you are saying that you are able to perform the task of multiplication, and likely with accuracy and little to no struggle. You could also say that you have mastered your multiplication tables 1-10.

You know that whole back-and-forth exchange where a student thinks that a teacher “gives” grades, and the teacher responds that the student actually earns the grade? Unfortunately, in many cases the student’s perception might be closer to the truth. Not in your classroom, you say? Well, let’s hope so, but humor me a moment and let’s take a closer look. Have you ever taken off points for work being turned in late? How about grant extra credit points? What about deducting points for grammar on an assignment that was for a topic other than writing?

“What do you mean due dates?” Maria was confused by the report saying her son was behind in a class. The school said it was self-paced, so when the family went out of town for a funeral last week, she didn’t worry about him missing school. He should just be able to get back into the flow when they returned, right?

There's a reason that Dr. Seuss has enjoyed enduring popularity for decades. His stories resonate with kids giving them a lifelong love of learning and reading. What is the reason for this lasting legacy that keeps his books firmly on the shelves of every childhood bedroom? It's quite simple: Dr. Seuss thinks like a child. He is creative, filled with life, and his imagination knows no bounds, just like children. The vivid landscape he paints with the pleasing cadence of his rhymes creates a world that children wholeheartedly identify with and enjoy. It's a world without limits and restraints, a world where anything is possible. A world where students in a high quality online school get to play and create.

Disclaimer: At CMA-SAS, we like to feature of the voice of our students, so this blog post carries a bit more heat than usual all while creating an effective message that we just couldn’t hold back. 

This CMA-SAS #touchthefuture blog post takes a look at a question we received from a parent interested in our personalized online school: To ask your own question, click here to take this survey.

Once upon a time, the United States Congress mandated that a college conduct over half of its instruction in physical classrooms to be eligible for federal financial aid. The law unfairly discriminated against people who participated in online schooling. Residents of rural areas, working adults and military members were especially hurt by the law. Thankfully, Congress removed the 50 percent classroom instruction threshold in 2006 and financial aid became available to all eligible online students. Today there are numerous ways to obtain financial aid and scholarships for online classes.

Tommy is getting ready to start the 9th grade at the CMA-SAS online high school. Although he's excited about the new opportunity, he's also determined to be more mindful when it comes to keeping track of all of his homework assignments. In the past, he was notorious for losing important papers or turning them in late because he'd misplaced them. His bookbag looked like a junkyard, full of once crisp looseleaf now shredded.

Many parents are finding a personalized online high school curriculum via the distance-learning alternative a compelling advantage. A virtual education provides more choices in where you attend and how your child learns; however, the ability to learn without the normal classroom structure, and overcoming student procrastination are both crucial factors.Thats's where personalized education comes in.

When you look at a picture like this, what is your first thought? Pretty? Funny? Happy? Maybe some other nice adjective? I can tell you one thing for sure. Those words never went through my head when I was younger. Whether looking at a picture of myself like the one above or just seeing myself in the mirror, the words that always traveled through my head were things like ugly, worthless, small, stupid and crazy.

Josh is sophomore enrolled in online high school. He's a budding cellist who finds the e-learning curriculum to be more in tune with his demanding practice schedules for the local youth symphony than a traditional academic institution. Although he's looking forward to the end of another semester, there's also a burning desire to temporarily get away from the familiar and explore new territory.

Lately, we've had quite a few questions about what exactly defines a "personalized education". Here's a bit of information to clearly line up how we define it at CMA-SAS.

Hi! My name is Zenya and I am seventeen years old. My dream is to become a professional ballet dancer. My mom took me to my first ballet class when I was four years old. When I took my first class I knew that this was what I wanted to do the rest of my life. Many people laughed at me and asked how a four year old could know what career they want. But so far I have still kept striving toward this dream that I wanted since I was four.

At CMA-SAS, we care deeply about providing students with helpful information 24/7. That's one benefit we love about not being restricted to a bell schedule or classroom walls. This blog post offers students a few tips to write an incredible research paper, which many students are working on now.

We often hear from parents that traditional schooling doesn't prepare children well for the current economy. This blog post takes a look at how online school helps build entrepreneurial students and prepares them to build a successful and meaningful life-long career.

Music is a passion that is often realized when a person is extremely young. Parents who allow their children to embrace music as a child, encourage them to take lessons and pursue their goals. Children with exceptional talent and a love of classical music, often aspire to being first chair in an orchestra. In rare cases, when their talent is honed early on, the choice may have to be made as to what best serves their needs.

We are seeing education across all grade levels take to the Internet, and for good reason. There are a lot of tried and true benefits to learning in an online environment. When students learn online, they are exposed to learning in the digital age. For those entering the workforce, chances are they are going to have to know how to communicate effectively online with people around the world. Going through an online education program in high school and beyond will teach the skills necessary to succeed from a rhetorical standpoint.

We have had several decades of reassessment about the best approaches to educating our children. New technologies have delivered a plethora of options and abilities that that have given parents new options for educating their children. We have been offered the unique opportunity to become educated as global citizen's in today's quickly changing landscape, which requires this cross-cultural reality check.

Expression and communication are key components of any education and these tips will help you to create an awesome video to help you communicate through the lens of our digital culture. One of the many perks of online school and a personalized learning curriculum.

Through the course of a personalized learning program, you may find that you need to give a presentation or two on what you've learned. For online presentations, it's important to use programs that give a sense of visual movement while still communicating your ideas effectively: for those things, we recommend Prezi, along with the standby of Keynote or Powerpoint (when used effectively). For those who don't know, Prezi is a system that allows online students to create a presentation that provides a great amount of visual stimuli and allows you to pan towards and away from information very easily. But just using the right software isn't all you need in order to create a dynamite presentation: follow these tips to make sure that the next presentation you give is astounding.

Meet Kari - As a student she travels the world utilizing a personalized education. It’s a great experience. With easy access to teachers who mentor and mold, students interact in diverse roles to increase their knowledge base and learn to adapt to free-willed thinking scenarios. Being able to virtually connect to a classroom has left her with a sense of belonging, not only because she has participated in an engaging learning environment without ever stepping into a classroom, but is also included into a venue where her ideas are challenged and embraced as she learns. This comes as a result of having fantastic teacher mentors.

Everything in education is changing. Information is moving faster. Instructors have access to an ever-growing array of resources. And almost every school in the country is offering online courses. Even the tradition-rich American Bar Association, which has a reputation for being a bit stodgy, has approved an online J.D. program.

Rory is a math whiz who enjoys helping his friends complete difficult equations on their homework assignments. His sharp thinking and happy-go-lucky nature also helps him in his role as a young swimmer. Since he takes his sportsmanship seriously and trains everyday, Rory's parents decided to enroll him in an online high school that will focus on his personalized education as he completes the rest of his studies.

Imagine graduating from high school, yet still struggling to read well. That may seem like an impossible scenario, yet literacy continues to be a problem for on-site and online high school students alike. Dr. Terry Salinger is an educational expert who serves in multiple roles as the Senior Advisor to the National High School Center, as well as the Managing Director and Chief Scientist for Reading at the American Institutes for Research. Her research and statistics from the National Adult Literacy Survey showed that over the past 15 years, over 15 million high school students have graduated barely proficient in reading at the fifth grade level. Another statistic revealed that 19 percent of high school dropout students "are only able to perform at basic or below-basic levels..."

We have all heard the adage, 'Do what you love and you will never have to work a day in your life'. While many may argue the validity of this statement, no one could argue the sentiment. The path to a fulfilling and happy life may well be to follow your passion The problem lies in finding out just what your passion is.

The traditional high school classroom can hold many students back. With one teacher presenting material to a large group on a set schedule, the pace is rarely right for anyone. The brightest or most prepared students in the room lose interest quickly; those who encounter obstacles may be left behind and have great difficulty catching up. Time is wasted, and many—if not most—students are bored. Fortunately, there is an alternative: online high school may offer a solution to each of those problems, along with other perks that may not have occurred to most parents.

Don't underestimate the positive influence that online high schools can have on today's youth. With state-of-the-art systems and qualified teachers, students can still enjoy participating in the activities they love while working to become tomorrow's leaders.

Tony and Sue are excited to begin their study abroad program in Europe. They've already received their passports, made flight arrangements, and have been actively researching the cultural aspects of the town they'll live in. Both understand how fortunate they are to have the opportunity to see other parts of the world at such a young age. The contacts in their community are equally honored to see them pursue studies elsewhere and are eager to see how they'll be able to bring what they learn back to their hometown.

A personalized education motivates students to learn and succeed by making the curriculum relevant and interesting for them. Here are four different ways that personalized education motivates students in our online school, Christa McAuliffe Academy School of Arts and Sciences.

A growing number of international students are choosing to study in the USA via online virtual schools. Populous countries such as China and India have so many students that not all can get into universities in their native country. To illustrate just how important it is to earn international qualifications in secondary school, consider the following story.

Meet Irie Her family owns a store titled The Bell Jar - and yes, the name is a reference to the late poet Sylvia Plath. Irie's enthusiasm as a young entrepreneur empowers her dreams for making an impact in the fashion industry.

A Day in the Life of a Bullied Teen A tall, shy boy with braces enters his history class on the first day of school. He's just moved to the area, and he's nervous about what the new experience will bring. As a sophomore in high school, he's intelligent with strong musical skills and feels capable of taking on the workload. However, he's still wary of leaving behind the only friends he's known since elementary school and befriending strangers.

One of the greatest pleasures in working in education involves helping students grow from year to year. The greatest gift? An email or visit from a former student who has grown into a remarkable adult. The flip side of this though is that in the traditional school structure, some students slip through the cracks because it's too difficult to personalize education. Too difficult to bring struggling 9th graders up to speed.

Today's question: How can online high school curriculum best gear students for the modern world they grow up in? (tweet this!) I love when students read the brilliant article called Nacirema.

As a  graduate of Christa McAuliffe Academy School of Arts and Sciences, I feel like I’ve learned a great deal of how to cope with the ultimate freedom CMASAS provided us by assigning a no-deadline curriculum. Undoubtedly, it’s the best thing a school can give since we could work our minds off thoroughly on our assignments without being forced, while keeping up with our extra-curricular activities.

Marcus was a precocious child, even as a toddler. He put on shows to entertain the neighborhood kids. He was cast in child roles at the local repertoire theater and sang in summer stock musicals. By the time he was old enough for middle school, he put his 10-year old foot down. Marcus refused to go to junior high because he wanted to go into "show biz."

Every spring, online high school students receive acceptance letters and mothers and fathers gleefully tell friends and family about young Timmy's launch into college then career stardom over a delicious bar-b-que party.