Stanford Online High School (OHS) has been an online school since it was founded in 2006. A virtual classroom can feel new and unfamiliar. It takes time to adjust to the environment with its differences from an in-person setting.
Students come to OHS for several reasons. An online school is attractive to students looking for flexible options due to extracurriculars or travel. Sude Kulak, an 11th grader who travels internationally due to her father’s work, relies on OHS as a constant against her continually changing environment. “With this school, I am able to continue on in an environment that I am familiar with. The online school also helps me to continue my education without any breaks within these moves,” Kulak says.
For some students, COVID-19 impacted their decision to choose OHS. “It worked very well for me during the quarantine period,” Charlotte Own (’25) says.
With this school, I am able to continue on in an environment that I am familiar with.
— Sude Kulak
When students begin studying at OHS, they are faced with unique challenges not present in traditional brick-and-mortar schools. For example, technical issues may disrupt their classes. Lack of familiarity with OHS’s virtual platforms like Canvas and Pronto can also reduce immersion in their study environment. “I dislike not getting full explanations to how Canvas works beforehand,” says an anonymous 9th grader.
To many students, the greatest challenge is the lack of face-to-face social interaction. Many newer students report that an online environment does not provide the most conducive environment to making friends. Even veteran students experience similar issues. “You don’t see [people] often. You have to initiate friendships basically,” says Maya Thornton (’26).
Additionally, while students appreciate the ability to interact with international classmates, the expense and difficulty of travel reduce opportunities for social meetups. “It’s very cool to meet people from all around but it’s so much more difficult to spend time with everyone,” added Own.
While challenges are present, students find that OHS has many benefits. Students love having more control over their online study environment. During classes, they can choose their study space, adjust volume, and fidget without bothering anyone. “No loud hallways, your workspace is however you desire it to be,” Thornton says. Summer Laster, a new 9th grader, feels that OHS offers increased accessibility and scheduling freedom: “Hence, I’m able to adjust it [OHS] with my schedule.”
Students add that the benefits of OHS, and its education and opportunities, can counter most difficulties they experience. Sude Kulak says that many people express confusion at her attending OHS, aware of the challenges of online schooling during Covid-19, but is supportive of her choice due to OHS’s rigorous education.