Some progressive high-school districts have started programs to allow some students to take classes online instead of attending a physical class. In the majority of cases, the students must still spend most of their day in a real classroom, but can take extra classes from home during the regular school year or during the summer. This option is very popular with students, and the public should expect this to be a growing trend.

Most schools only allow students to take optional classes in this manner and require the student to come into a testing center to make sure the final grades are above-board. If a student’s grades are not up to par, they are usually not granted this option. Schools recommend that only dedicated students who are motivated self-starters try this approach. Students continue to have teacher support through email, chat features, and phone calls when needed.

A lot of kids like to get gym class out of the way using a combination of online classroom participation and time spent working out at the YMCA or some other commercial gym. They enjoy the experience more by avoiding the rush that always comes with the need to get dressed fast enough to make it to the next class on time. By eliminating gym class from the school day, these students can often fit in another academic class and make their high-school transcript more appealing to their preferred university. This plan can also reduce the burden on overcrowded schools to a small degree.