A Parent's Guide to Switching Schools Midyear

School makes up a huge part of your child’s life, so it’s important to ask yourself: Is my child happy, thriving, and feeling safe at school?

If you’re unsure of your answer—know that you’re not alone. Many parents across the nation are recognizing that their child’s school just isn’t cutting it. And as midyear enrollment approaches, now is the perfect time to find the school that works best for them.

How can I find the right school for my child?

Learning is not one-size-fits-all, and students deserve a personalized academic journey that will help them thrive in school and beyond. That’s why many families are turning to online learning, such as a K12-powered program. Follow the steps below to make sure your transition to online learning is seamless.

Talk as a family.

Transitioning to an online school is a major decision, and it should involve a family discussion. Take time to go over the benefits with your child and family to see if this could be the right path to take.

Many families have shared that some of the best benefits of online school include:

Learning in a safe environment where your child can focus on their education and feel more comfortable.
A more flexible school schedule, which allows for more quality time as a family and extracurricular activities in and out of your home.
Greater visibility into what and how your child is learning, so you can support and encourage them as needed.
Dedicated academic support from teachers who can work more closely with your student—and who you can contact more easily.

Explore your options.

Start researching the programs available in your region to discover the best options and to begin the enrollment process. K12’s website gives you the option to search for an online program using your ZIP code and your child’s grade level. From there, you can start the enrollment process, have your questions answered, and find out other requirements to set up your home for online learning.

Make the transition as smooth as possible.

If your family decides to move forward with online school, just like any other public-school transfer, you’ll be asked to gather some important documents. Depending on the school, this could include a birth certificate, proof of residence, and immunization records.

Take advantage of any programs your new school may have in place for families who are transferring midyear. With K12-powered schools, you’ll have a dedicated support team to help you get started quickly and make sure your family has the resources you need.

Set up a dedicated learning space at home for your child. It doesn’t have to be fancy, but it should be calm, comfortable, and free from distractions. Remember that online school is flexible, so you can change this space later to fit your child’s needs.

The most important thing to remember is that the decision to change schools is for the benefit of your child and their future.

Remember you’re not alone.

Many parents across the country decide to switch schools midyear, and many families have found that making the change leads to happier, more confident kids.

Whether your child needs more individualized attention, a more rigorous curriculum, a flexible schedule, or they’re experiencing bullying, health, or safety issues—you have options to make the choice that’s best for them.

For more information on midyear enrollment at K12-powered schools, visit K12com.

Enrollment and Back to School

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