ADAMS COUNTY, Colo. — It’s been three years since Colorado students ended the 2019-2020 school year at home on computers, after the COVID-19 pandemic forced schools to close. While most students have returned to traditional brick and mortar schools since then, Adam 12 is seeing strong interest in its Five Star Online Academy.
Five Star Online Academy opened in the fall of 2021, well after the pandemic began, so there was no longer a need for social distancing. In-person days have been a big part of the model. Students have the option of coming to school a few days a week for group activities or projects, and FaceTime with teachers.
White said she knows of many students, like herself, who chose online school to get away from a negative situation at their traditional school. Sixth-grader Florah Herrera said there were distractions like smoking and vaping and other behavior issues at her previous school. “Online offers that ability to be more flexible and get more of what you look for as a teacher — that ability to help students on an individual basis that you don't necessarily get when you're in person,” Highfill said.