Imagine this: Your high schooler is passionate about robotics, but their school doesn’t offer advanced courses in that field. Or perhaps they’re struggling with calculus, but there’s no time in the day for extra help. Supplemental online courses offer a way for your child to explore their interests, strengthen their academic foundation, and even earn college credits—all from the comfort of their own home.
With so many options available, the challenge isn’t finding courses—it’s knowing where to start. This guide will walk you through the steps of discovering and selecting online supplemental courses that meet your child’s unique needs and educational goals. Let’s explore what options are available, why they’re important, and how to make the best choices for your child’s education.
What Are Supplemental Online Courses?
Supplemental online courses are additional educational programs that students can take outside of their regular school curricula. These courses are designed to either fill knowledge gaps or expand a student’s understanding of areas not fully covered in their school curriculum. They can include academic subjects, such as advanced mathematics or literature, as well as more skill-based learning, such as coding or graphic design.
If you are considering enrolling your child in a supplemental learning program, there are a few things to consider:
- Make sure the program meets your child’s needs and goals.
- Choose a program with experienced and qualified instructors.
- Communicate with your child’s teachers to ensure that the supplemental learning program aligns with their school curriculum.
Why Choose Supplemental Online Courses?
There are several reasons why high school students may benefit from enrolling in supplemental courses. A common motivation is academic enrichment, as some students seek to deepen their knowledge of certain subjects. Other students may require additional support to grasp challenging topics, and supplemental courses can provide the targeted help they need. In many cases, students use online supplemental courses as a strategic tool to prepare for standardized tests, such as the SAT or ACT, or to engage with college-level material to gain a competitive edge in their academic journey.
Supplemental courses also serve students with learning needs not being met by their chosen school. For example, students who attend schools that don’t offer advanced subjects, such as AP Physics or Computer Science, can bridge this gap by enrolling in online courses and enhancing their college application profiles.
Benefits of Taking Supplemental Courses Online
- Flexibility to learn at your own pace
- Access to a wider variety of subjects
- Ability to revisit difficult concepts or topics
- Opportunities to improve college readiness
- Chance to learn practical, in-demand skills for future careers
With the rise of online learning, there are many places to find supplemental online courses. Whether you want free options or official accredited courses, there are many options. It’s important for families and students to shop around to find the best fit, taking into account the quality of the courses, the qualifications of the instructors, and the student’s preferred learning style.
Dual Enrollment for Academic and Career Growth
Dual enrollment offers high school students the opportunity to take college-level courses while earning credit toward their high school diploma. In many cases, these courses are available online, giving students even more flexibility in managing their academic load. Students can learn at their own pace, manage their time effectively, and complete assignments in a more flexible setting than traditional face-to-face classes. This is especially useful for students with busy schedules or those who may not have access to local community colleges.
For students living in rural areas, online dual enrollment opens up access to a wide range of courses that may not be available locally. Whether a student is interested in advanced calculus, environmental science, or even niche subjects, such as digital marketing or social media management, they can find a course that fits their academic goals and future career plans.
For students interested in career and technical education (CTE), online dual-enrollment courses offer the same benefits as traditional in-person classes, with the added flexibility of online learning. Through CTE dual enrollment, students can earn both high school and college credit while gaining real-world skills and certifications in a variety of career fields, including healthcare, information technology, automotive technology, and manufacturing.
CTE dual-enrollment courses are designed to provide students with practical skills that can be applied in the workforce immediately after high school graduation. Many of these courses also offer pathways to apprenticeships and internships, giving students hands-on experience that complements their academic learning.
Aligning Student Needs with the Current School Curriculum
When looking for extracurricular courses, it’s important to make sure that the selected programs align with the student’s current school curriculum. This will ensure that the student is filling any gaps in their education or adding to their knowledge in a complementary way. For instance, a student who excels in English but finds science challenging could benefit from a targeted online supplemental science course that focuses on their specific areas of difficulty.
Below are questions to help you determine whether supplemental courses are a good fit for your child’s needs and current curriculum:
- How does this course fit into my child’s academic plan?
- Will the credits or skills earned in the courses be recognized by my child’s school?
- Will this course address my child’s specific academic strengths or weaknesses?
- How does the course match my child’s learning style?
- What is the level of difficulty, and is it appropriate for my child’s current academic level?
- Will the course align with my child’s high school graduation or college entrance requirements?
Tips and Recommendations for Finding the Best Supplemental Courses
- Finding the right supplemental courses can be overwhelming with so many options available, but a few tips can help parents and students make informed decisions:
- Look at reviews or testimonials from other students who have taken the course to get a sense of its effectiveness.
- Determine why the student needs a supplemental course. Is it for enrichment, college prep, or remedial support?
- Research different e-learning platforms and compare their offerings in terms of course quality, instructor expertise, and price.
- Some students thrive in self-paced courses, while others need live interactions with instructors or peers.
- Ensure that the student’s schedule allows for supplemental coursework without overwhelming them.
Incorporating Supplemental Courses into Your Child’s Routine
There are many ways parents can incorporate supplemental learning into their child’s daily routine. One way is to find educational apps and games that their child enjoys and can play regularly. Another way is to set aside time each day to read or engage in other educational activities together as a family. Adding supplemental courses to an already busy high school student’s schedule can be challenging.
Maintaining a balance between a student’s core schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and personal time is essential. Below are a few strategies to make this work:
- Create a weekly schedule that includes time for the supplemental course, making sure it doesn’t interfere with important schoolwork.
- Break the course into manageable chunks, and set goals for completing each section by a certain date.
- While online supplemental courses allow for flexibility, students should still follow a loose schedule to ensure that they stay on track.
Supplemental Online Courses in Your State
According to the Digital Learning Collaborative, at least 18 states have established official state virtual programs to give students access to online courses. In contrast to fully online schools, these state programs usually focus on a la carte online courses rather than full-time, diploma-granting enrollment. These state virtual programs often specialize in partnering with districts, making it easier for students statewide to take an online course or two that supplements their in-person education. If you live in a state with an established virtual program, this is a great first place to check for supplemental online course options. Students used state virtual programs to take over one million courses in the 2022-2023 school year!
Alabama
ACCESS Virtual Learning (AL) is a statewide online learning platform serving students in grades 6-12. It provides flexible course options, including advanced placement and career-focused courses, designed to supplement in-school learning.
No resources available at the moment.
No resources available at the moment.
Arkansas
Virtual Arkansas is an online learning provider that serves students in grades 7-12 and works with Arkansas public schools to offer a broad range of core, elective, and advanced courses, providing students with access to subjects that may not be locally available.
No resources available at the moment.
Colorado
Colorado Digital Learning Solutions partners with school districts to provide a wide range of online courses including CTE, AP, Capstone, and ESL courses for students in grades K-12.
No resources available at the moment.
No resources available at the moment.
No resources available at the moment.
Florida
Florida Virtual School (FLVS) is a leading K-12 virtual school that offers both full-time and part-time enrollment options with a variety of courses, including honors, Advanced Placement, world language, and more!
Georgia
Georgia Virtual School is an online learning platform that offers students in grades 6-12 access to courses in world languages, STEM, and Advanced Placement, supporting students who need flexible schedules or access to courses not available at their local school.
Hawaii
Hawaii Virtual Learning is a supplemental online program that offers specialized courses in core subjects, as well as AP and elective options that may not be available at your chosen school.
Idaho
Idaho Digital Learning Alliance serves students in grades K-12, providing a wide range of course options including CTE, AP, and dual credit courses for college-bound students. Additionally, they offer driver education courses.
Illinois
Illinois Virtual Schools and Academy is an online program that offers flexible learning opportunities with a focus on credit recovery, AP course, and specialized elective courses serving students in grades 5-12.
No resources available at the moment.
No resources available at the moment.
No resources available at the moment.
No resources available at the moment.
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No resources available at the moment.
No resources available at the moment.
No resources available at the moment.
Michigan
Michigan Virtual offers a robust selection of courses including 23 AP and credit recovery courses and over 300 professional development courses for students in grades 6-12.
No resources available at the moment.
No resources available at the moment.
No resources available at the moment.
Montana
Montana Digital Academy is the state’s online supplemental learning platform for students in grades 5-12. The program provides access to a wide range of courses including core subjects, dual enrollment courses, and indigenous language courses.
No resources available at the moment.
No resources available at the moment.
New Hampshire
Virtual Learning Academy Charter School is New Hampshire’s public online school that offers courses ranging from accounting to veterinary science to students in grades K-12.
No resources available at the moment.
No resources available at the moment.
No resources available at the moment.
North Carolina
North Carolina Virtual Public High School is an online program that offers flexible learning options in both core subjects and career focused pathways for students in grades 6-12.
North Dakota
The North Dakota Center for Distance Education offers dual enrollment and credit recovery courses to students in grades K-12. Students can take courses at their own pace, with additional help from teachers.
No resources available at the moment.
No resources available at the moment.
No resources available at the moment.
No resources available at the moment.
No resources available at the moment.
South Carolina
Virtual SC is an online learning program offering AP courses and credit recovery options for students in grades 6-12.
No resources available at the moment.
No resources available at the moment.
No resources available at the moment.
No resources available at the moment.
Vermont
Vermont Virtual Cooperative (VTVLC) provides access to courses in core subjects, foreign languages, specialized electives, and credit recovery for students in grades 6-12.
Virginia
Virtual Virginia serves students in grades K-12, offering a range of courses including dual enrollment and AP classes. Virtual Virginia also offers summer courses for students looking to acquire credits.
No resources available at the moment.
West Virginia
West Virginia Virtual Academy offers online supplemental courses for students in grades 3-12, providing flexible learning options for students across the state. The program offers a wide variety of courses including dual enrollment and dual credit courses.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Virtual School is a state-led online learning platform serving students in grades 6-12. The program works closely with Wisconsin school districts to provide students with access to additional courses and resources.
No resources available at the moment.
Multi-district, fully online schools
In many cases, families can also find supplemental online courses at fully online schools that operate across multiple districts. While these schools specialize in creating an environment where students can complete all coursework online, they may allow for part-time enrollment.
For example, in Arizona, Primavera Online School enrolls more than 10,000 part-time students each year. And in Minnesota, the online public school Minnesota Virtual Academy allows students to enroll part-time or full-time.
You can explore whether your state offers free, fully online schools by checking your state roadmap. If so, you can reach out to online schools in your state about part-time enrollment options.
Other course platforms
Finally, there are many online course platforms that students can tap into. While these may be unlikely to offer credit, they can help your child discover new interests— or fuel existing passions.
One of the greatest benefits of taking online courses is the incredible variety of subjects available. Online platforms offer a wide range of courses in various disciplines, including STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) as well as arts and language courses. The availability of diverse courses not only allows students to focus on their academic strengths but also opens up new avenues for them to explore areas of interest that may shape their future career paths.
For example, if a student has a strong interest in areas such as digital marketing or game design, which are not typically covered in a traditional school setting, they can easily find specific online courses tailored to those subjects to gain in-depth knowledge and skills.
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edXedX is an education and learning platform founded by MIT and Harvard. Highschoolers looking for a challenge can “audit” many of the platform’s courses, which cover everything from data analysis to music to biology, for free.
How to use: Visit the website and type in the subject that interests you to view offerings.
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Code AcademyCode Academy offers online coding classes in several programming languages. While Code Academy also offers a fee-based plan with more features, your child can access basic lessons and daily practice for free. Code Academy is designed to teach anyone to learn to code, no prior experience needed, and is suitable for any child able to read and type.
How to use: Sign up for a free account to start learning the basics of coding.
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