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The Forest School started serving students through online schooling in 2020, when the global pandemic disrupted the traditional schooling patterns. Later, this school discovered the real power of virtual learning. And launched its online learning programs in 2021 with a student-centric model. Till date, this school helps students design their own learning path from any part of the world. Students can choose to enroll in online programs offered for grades 5-12, i.e., the middle and high school grades.
If you are also interested in joining this online school, stay with us as we are all set to discover all the details about ‘The Forest School Online’.
Let’s begin.
Accreditation & Recognition
This online school is accredited by the Georgia Accrediting Commission and the ACS WASC. This accreditation assures stakeholders and students of the legitimacy of this leading online school.
Programs
The school offers three types of options for students:
Type 1 – Guided Experience: Complete mentorship for individualized support.
Type 2 – Balanced Experience: A combination of structure and the freedom to explore.
Type 3 – Independent Experience: Provides a clear framework for homeschoolers in need of earning credentials.
Middle School
At the middle school level, The Forest School Online helps students design their own educational journey. This online school guides them in creating personalized Badge Plans. And these self-directed learning paths aid learning as they are completely suitable to their interests, passions, and career aspirations. With this, students choose their badges and projects. And they get support from guides and family members as well. Other than this, students also get an extra opportunity to earn micro-credentials.
Some salient features of this school are:
- Periodic mentorship check-ins.
- Socratic discussions.
- Focus on real-world application.
High School Programs
To prepare students for college life and adulthood, this leading online school empowers them to take ownership of their education. They learn virtually and decide their own pace for better understanding. This online program allows students to continue their learning from absolutely anywhere in the world. This way, it ensures progress without compromising on the student’s convenience.
Some salient Features of the high school program are:
- Apprenticeships
- Real-World Quests
- Passion Projects
- Expert Coaches
- Dual Enrolment Options
Other Opportunities:
For 8th graders, The Forest School Online enriches learning with:
Learner Type 1: Future Coder
- Focus Area: Software Development and Entrepreneurship.
- Math: Algebra I.
- Project Work: Creating and debugging different coding challenges, and developing one’s own website.
- Highlights: Weekly check-ins for mentorship with a software engineer.
- Real-World Experience: Internship with a website developer, and contributions to a project (open-source).
- Micro-Credentials: Web Development, Python Fundamentals, and Problem-Solving in Tech.
Learner Type 2: Aspiring Artist
- Focus Area: Visual Arts and Creative Entrepreneurship.
- Math: Pre-Algebra.
- Project Work: Developing a portfolio of original works and studying art history.
- Highlights: Feedback from an artist.
- Real-World Experience: setting up one’s own online art store and assisting an elementary art teacher with work.
- Micro-Credentials: Mixed Media, Digital Illustration, Art, and Business Basics.
Fee Structure
The fee structure of the Forest School Online is as under:
| Type | Details |
| Annual Tuition | $4,850 – $12,125 |
| Mid-Year Enrollment | Tuition is prorated based |
| Enrollment Fee | $1,000 USD per year |
| Experience | Fee | Details |
| Independent Experience | $4,850 USD | *Templates for credentialing any learning, live learner-led clubs (optional), a framework for self-designed plans, feedback on submitted work, virtual graduation, onboarding for parents and a progress guidebook. |
| Balanced Experience | $9,700 USD | *One Guide check-in (per session), complete access to the library of Quest, and story arts, badge plan support, feedback at the exhibitions, group collaboration at the beginning of each session, post-graduation planning, asynchronous practicals and feedback, community Zoom experiences (optional), in-person or virtual graduation. |
| Guided Experience | $12,125 USD | * 1:1 meetings with guides every week, complete access to library, story arts and quests, badge plan design, group collaboration, live feedback on work every week, family coaching + college/career planning, live mastery-based practicals with feedback, community Zoom experiences every day, choice of in-person or virtual graduation |
Flexible Tuition Option:
With the flexible tuition option, families can pay a reduced tuition rate, as the school adjusts tuition based on the total household income and other factors determining the family’s ability to bear these expenses. The best part is that all types of families with all income levels can apply for this flexible tuition option. However, it is the school’s discretion to determine if a family qualifies for this option or not.
School Highlights:
- There is a non-discrimination policy followed by the school.
- The school has guides to help students learn.
- All learning plans are customized.
- The school believes in mastery and not grades.
- Students do not get any homework.
- The school helps students build a strong character and instills a love for learning in them.
- Students are empowered to learn completely at their own pace.
- Learning is enriched through real-world projects, instead of relying on only theory.
Points to be Noted Before Enrolling
- The school focuses on flexibility and freedom for students. However, the courses, choices, and segregation of topics seem to be unclear. Please connect with the school to understand how these will reflect in a student’s transcript.
- Students do get the privilege of creating their ‘Badge Plans’ for learning. However, this can be too demanding for many students who need more support.
Final Thoughts
For real-world skill-building and hands-on experiences through apprenticeship, The Forest School Online can be an ideal pick. However, it is noteworthy that many students need a structured and supportive learning environment to thrive seamlessly without any complications. If you wish to opt for a transparent school design with a fixed number of online classes, clear course options, and defined assessment patterns, do consider other online schools and make your final choice.
Thanks for Reading!
Frequently Asked Questions
- How can parents track student’s progress?
Parents have weekly conversations, gain insights through monthly surveys, and attend regular parent coffees arranged by the school. They can also access progress updates at any time. - What are the key areas that the school focuses on?
The school focuses on building skills like critical thinking and believes in real-world application instead of theory-based learning.
