POV: 9th Graders Take on More Freedom with Virtual Classes

By: Arianna Edwards and Ruhi Khanna

Due to the 4.5 week check for virtual classes, starting on September 9th, freshmen are no longer required to stay in the auditorium for virtual periods! This is a huge leap for these students, as freedom in Innovation Academy is one of the most regarded qualities here. However, this is only possible if they maintain a passing grade. This gives the freshmen an idea of how to take charge in the real world and prompts them to take responsibility and leadership in their studies and be self-motivated. If the students fail to maintain the responsibility and freedom they have gained, they will have to return to a classroom. We have asked our fellow students how they feel about virtual school, and this is what we captured:

Arianna Edwards interviewed a student in freshman year who decided to keep her identity anonymous. She is taking Spanish One.

Arianna: When you first got your virtual class, how’d you feel about it?

Freshman: At first, I will admit I felt a bit intimidated and worried about managing my time.

Arianna: Why’d you feel that way? How do you plan to manage your time?

Freshman: For me personally, the transition between middle school and high school was a bit difficult in general, but I manage my time by making deadlines and my own schedules for myself. This way I’m able to stay organized and not get off track.

Arianna: What are you most excited for, considering you have a whole period virtual?

Freshman: I’m most excited for when I finish my virtual course so that I can use this period for other homework or free time.

Arianna: Do you plan to do your work during the virtual period, finish your homework, study, or relax?

Freshman: I plan to do my homework.

Arianna: What do you think of your new freedom?

Freshman: I appreciate the new freedom because I’m allowed a class time where I can think quietly and work by myself. It’s nice to have some time to yourself without having to be in a classroom with a teacher.

Arianna: Is this freedom part of the reason you decided to go to IA?

Freshman: Not necessarily, I wanted to come here because of all the amazing programs they offered, and also because I knew a lot of the other freshmen coming here.

Arianna: What have you learned so far in your virtual class that you will be using in the future?

Freshman: I’ve learned that it’s super helpful to work on your virtual course over the weekend where you have more free time. This way, the school week can be a little less stressful.

Arianna: What do you think is the hardest part about virtual class? And what’s the easiest? Why?

Freshman: The hardest part is trying to make sure you’re ahead and the work is done. I’m taking a lot of other honors classes, so balancing between the virtual class and other work is a little challenging. The easiest part is being able to work in a quiet space without a teacher standing over you.

Arianna: What’s your opinion on virtual class? How do you feel about it so far?

Freshman: I like my virtual class so far! I think I can still get the education online and it’s kinda fun!

As I reviewed the interview, this fellow student’s point of view had a lot in common with how other students felt at IA. At first, they felt intimidated by the responsibility and the new freedom, but as time went on, they grew to like and appreciate virtual class. Students, if you see this, please know that you are never alone! There are so many freshmen at this school that feel the same way as you do.

Ruhi Khanna interviewed three freshmen at IA, who are taking Spanish 1, Spanish 2, and German 2.

Ruhi: How do you plan to manage your time?

Abigail: With a calendar.

Noori: I plan to manage my time by working hard and being ahead in my class.

Kavya: By making a schedule and spreading out my work.

Ruhi: What are you most excited for?

Abigail: Getting able to get extra work done.

Noori: I’m excited to be with my friends and to be responsible.

Kavya: Finishing my work so I can do whatever I want.

Ruhi: What do you plan to do in your free period?

Abigail: Do other work, and if I don’t have any, relax.

Noori: I plan to do my work but also take breaks in between to relax.

Kavya: I plan to study, finish my virtual work, and relax.

Ruhi: What do you think of your new freedom?

Abigail: I’m so happy, you don’t even know!

Noori: I find it good, and I’m surprised they have this much trust in us.

Kavya: I like it, because I think it’s fair that if we are passing, we get to go out and study where we are comfortable.

Ruhi: Is this freedom part of the reason you chose to come to IA?

Abigail: I didn’t know about it. I thought the virtual program was just for German.

Noori: I didn’t know we had this much freedom so when I came here, I was shocked.

Kavya: No, I didn’t even know about it.

After conducting this set of interviews, we learned that many students didn’t even know that this much freedom existed in IA, or about virtual period. We also learned that they plan to finish their work early so they can have a whole period free. They plan to utilize their virtual period to study for other subjects or relax.

Overall, having a whole period free seems to be the highlight of the student’s day. While managing virtual work with normal schoolwork can be challenging, responsibility is a huge part of what IA stands for. Through these interviews, we can see that students plan to manage their time in a variety of ways. The virtual period provides a break throughout the day to relax or catch up on work. This freedom has left some freshmen intimidated, but soon it will turn into one of the reasons they love IA.