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What Is Online School?

07/04/2025•18 minute read

Over the past few years, nearly everyone has become familiar with terms like ‘online school,' 'virtual learning,' or ‘distance learning’. When the world went into lockdown during the Covid-19 pandemic, millions of students were suddenly learning from home, often through emergency systems put in place by traditional schools. It was a rapid, reactive shift, and for many families, the experience was mixed.

We now know that, that version of online learning was never built to last. Today, online school means something very different.

Online school used to be seen as a temporary fix—something that filled a gap when traditional classrooms couldn’t, however that’s no longer the case. For many families today, online school isn’t a backup plan. It’s the first choice.

More than ever, students are learning from home not because they have to, but because it simply works better. It fits around their ambitions, their schedule, and the way they want to learn.

What Is Online School?

An online school is just like a physical school in many ways, although without the actual school buildings and limitations of geographic proximity.

This means students are enrolled like they would at a regular school, except they study online from home. The online school provides the curriculum and qualified teachers, as well as a timetable for the student’s classes. Like regular school, the child is in a class of peers and the teacher is responsible for their learning, even though they learn from home. Most of the learning happens with the aid of the latest education technologies.

Also, unlike correspondence courses, where material is physically shipped to students, online school is conducted completely online without the use of physical materials.

Attending an online school is also different from home schooling where a parent or guardian is the primary educator. The parent plans and teaches the child all the lessons. While many countries recognize home schooling, there are strict rules that parents must follow, including inspections in some cases.

How Online School Differs From Other Models

Understanding the distinctions between various educational approaches helps clarify what makes online schooling unique:

Model	Key Difference	Role of the School	Role of the Parent
Online School	Fully virtual, real-time learning led by qualified teachers. Structured timetable and live classes.	Teachers deliver lessons, assess work, and provide feedback. School manages curriculum and student progress.	Supports learning at home (not the primary educator).
Distance Learning	Traditionally based on independent study, often through mailed materials or pre-recorded content. Limited real-time interaction.	Sends learning materials and instructions. May lack consistent live teaching or structured schedules.	Oversees schedule, keeps student on track with minimal support from instructors.
Homeschooling	Education directed by the parent. Curriculum is often selected and delivered by the family.	May provide optional resources or platforms. No formal teaching or grading unless outsourced.	Acts as teacher, planner, and administrator of the learning process.
Traditional School	Entirely in-person, with fixed schedules and on-campus requirements. Learning happens inside the classroom under teacher supervision.	Teachers lead learning in a physical environment. School dictates structure, content, and pace.	Supports homework, school events, and communication with teachers.

Why Are Families Making The Switch Online?

The reasons families choose online schooling today are as varied as the students themselves. Some are looking for greater challenge than their local school can provide. Others need flexibility to pursue professional sport, performing arts, or entrepreneurship. Some are based in areas where international curricula simply aren’t available.

For Jill Roberts, whose son Jacob, a full-time CGA student, and nationally ranked diver from Florida, the decision was about not having to choose between academics and sport.

We're an academic-first family. CGA said they would create whatever Jacob needed to do academically to move him forward while being able to be an athlete. That was perfect because we didn’t want to sacrifice the education.

Their story featured in Town & Country, where CGA was described as adding “rocket fuel” to the online learning model. The article noted a growing trend among families in states like Florida, California, and Texas who are looking beyond traditional options—towards schools that meet their children where they are, and help them go further.

How Does Online School Actually Work?

So what does a typical day at an online school actually look like? While formats can vary, CGA is designed to mirror the best parts of a traditional classroom, with the added benefit of technology and flexibility.

1. Enrolment and Placement

At CGA, students start by taking a diagnostic test. This helps us understand their current level and make sure they’re placed in classes that suit their ability, not just their age.

It means students aren’t held back if they’re ready to move ahead, or rushed if they need more time in a subject. Many of our students end up taking a mix of year levels across different subjects.

From there, they’re given a timetable, just like they would be at any school.

2. Virtual Classroom Experience

Classes are live, small, and led by experienced teachers. Students join their lessons through video, interact with classmates, ask questions, and work on group projects in breakout rooms. It’s structured, interactive, and real-time. And if they ever miss a class? Lessons are recorded so they can catch up on their own time.

3. Learning Management Systems

All of this is managed through a digital platform where students can access their coursework, submit assignments, track their progress, and message their teachers. Parents also have visibility into schedules, grades, and feedback so they can stay involved without having to do the teaching themselves.

4. Assessment and Feedback

Assessment is ongoing and varied. Some tasks are more traditional, quizzes, essays, exams—while others are project-based or portfolio-style. What’s most important is that students are getting regular feedback and opportunities to reflect, improve, and stay engaged.

How Does Socializing Work Online?

One of the most common concerns parents have about online learning is social connection. Will their child feel isolated? Will they make friends? Will they miss out?

What often surprises families is how active and connected the online community at CGA really is.

Students socialize between classes on platforms like Slack, take part in clubs (everything from Model UN to economics society), and even attend local meet-ups and global CGA Social Days.

Many say they’ve made some of their closest friendships through the school, despite being thousands of kilometres apart.

The best part of the US meet-up was getting to explore Gatorland together and sharing laughs along the way. Seeing the alligators up close was incredible, but what made it even better was experiencing it with friends from CGA.— Sofia P, CGA Student

The UK CGA meetup was a fantastic experience, showcasing the power of connection within the CGA community. It was amazing to see students from Australia and New Zealand, now based in Europe, meeting and bonding with peers from Japan, across Europe, and the Middle East. - Ronan Kearney, CGA’s Deputy Principal

Is Online School The Right Fit For Your Child?

For students who are curious, ambitious, or simply need a bit more flexibility, online school can be genuinely transformative.

Whether it’s the ability to accelerate in certain subjects, work around a training or travel schedule, or access a more rigorous academic pathway, the online model offers space and structure that many traditional schools can’t.

My previous online school wasn’t academically rigorous and didn’t provide much support with college applications. At CGA, I felt comfortable reaching out to teachers. They were really supportive. - Konoka M, CGA student, Massachusetts

At Crimson Global Academy, we focus not just on helping students succeed in school, but on building the foundation for what comes after. Speak to our academic advisors today to learn more.