What Online School Looks Like: A Student Day in the Life Q&A With Sophia

By: Sophia H., 12th grade student and SAC intern

SAC Blog Series: Each year, the K12 Marketing Department hires a cohort of high school interns known as the Student Advisory Council or SAC. This year, the talented group of students is creating social media content across platforms to help build brand awareness and engage our audiences around the online learning experience.

Let’s get to know these amazing SAC students. We asked them what makes online school so great, and here’s what Sophia had to say.

My K12 Why

What do you like about online school?

Online school works extremely well for my schedule. I have to be in different cities half the week, so it made it hard to be enrolled in one city’s district when I couldn’t be there all the time. Online school was the perfect option to fit that lifestyle. It also gives me much more flexibility to support my hobbies and allows for job opportunities that I wouldn’t have been able to access as a brick-and-mortar student. 

Why did you switch to online school? 

I switched to online school after a big change in my life required me to reassess my schedule and lifestyle. I had been interested in an online and K12-powered school for some time before I made that switch.

What has your experience been compared to your previous school? 

I can mostly speak about my experience in an online school that was not affiliated with K12. At this other online school, I really struggled. There was close to no support from teachers; I felt like I was hardly ever given instructions, and we didn’t have live classes. There was zero student engagement. When I enrolled in a K12-powered school, though, I really started to flourish. My teachers supported me, had detailed instruction, and the school catered to providing virtual learning specifically. It was an extremely helpful change to my mental health and academic well-being.  

My Online School Day

Can you describe a typical day and week for your virtual school experience?

Each day of the week is a little different. I usually wake up around 7:30 AM and get ready. I log in to my school account, check my email, look at my assignments, and then make a to-do list. I have homeroom class at 9 AM, live classes at 9:30 AM and 10:30 AM, and class at 2 PM. I work on assignments between live classes. I’m usually finished with assignments by 3 PM, and then the rest of the day is for my extracurriculars, job, or hobbies.

What kind of classes are you taking right now?

I am taking a few honors and Advanced Placement® classes and my usual career prep classes in the education and training pathway. Being in a pathway at school helps me prepare for college and a career in the field I’m interested in.

What do you like to do on your breaks? 

I like to take breaks to exercise. I go for walks outside or have a personal dance party inside. Sometimes, on my longer brain breaks, I like to work on one of the instruments I play (guitar, piano, ukulele, or mountain dulcimer) or take time to catch up with friends. 

Can you tell us about your workspace?

I do the majority of my work at a desk set up in my room. It works for me because it is organized and stable. I live on a large property in the woods, though, so I love to do a lot of work outside. With online school, I can do that.  

What activities or hobbies do you like to do in your free time? Does the flexibility of online school help you fit those into your week? 

I have many hobbies outside of school (some may say too many). First and foremost, I am a writer, specifically a poet, and I moderate a website for young writers. I participate in music, sing in a worship band, and have been in musicals and plays. I do art, photography, make and sell jewelry, read, help lead and support groups, and much more. The flexibility of online school helps a lot to provide time for my hobbies and passions. 

My Teachers & Classmates

Can you tell me more about your teachers? 

The teachers at my K12-powered school are very supportive in giving feedback and instruction. I have had many wonderful teachers I have really formed a connection with, and that leads to a conducive learning atmosphere.  

Who is your favorite teacher? 

A teacher I had in 9th grade English is one of my favorite teachers of all time! I’ve had her as my education and training teacher every semester since then. She is incredibly supportive and has helped me achieve and work toward several career dreams and supported my aspirations. I even got to meet her in real life at one of my school’s in-person outings.

How do you stay connected with friends? Have you met friends through online school? 

I have made many friends through classes, clubs, Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), student council, and my school’s outing days. We stay connected, hang out, study together, and talk often.  

My Future

Do you feel that online school is helping you prepare for the future? 

I think online school is wonderful for preparing students for college. It teaches you how to self-regulate, build your own schedule, and prioritize your tasks. This is something high school students often struggle with when entering college because of the setup of many brick-and-mortar schools. Online school teaches you how to become more independent while still having plenty of guidance and instruction.  

What do you want to do after high school?

My current dream is to go into elementary education. Currently, I plan to attend a two-year community college, as I am working toward a scholarship that would fully pay my tuition. Then I’d finish my bachelor’s at a university and go into working in elementary education. 

What advice do you have for other students and families considering the switch to a K12-powered online school?

If you’re reading this, you are already taking great steps in considering and preparing for the switch. Research is important for any big transition. So is having an open and honest discussion with all involved. School is a big part of any young teen’s life. Make sure everyone is included and that all thoughts and feelings are heard and considered.  

I hope this whole Q&A is helpful to those considering making the switch. Real students’ experiences were something that helped me choose the online school I am in now.

Thank you, Sophia! To learn more about the K12 Student Advisory Council, visit their webpage, or see how your high school student can thrive in online school with K12-powered programs.

Sophia is a 2025 student at a K12-powered school in MO, and their statement reflects their experience at their school.