This letter is in reference to the Virtual Academy at East Rowan.

I feel that the online schooling is not the best idea. Coming from a girl that spent a year doing online schooling, it was very boring and lonely. I didn’t really understand or take in a lot of the things I should have.

I feel that, as students, we need to have one-on-one contact with teachers and other classmates, not only so you aren’t lonely but so there are others available to answer questions and help you.

With online schooling there isn’t much you can do that is hands-on. You mostly stare blankly into a computer for a couple of hours, doing schoolwork. When you are finished, you don’t really know what you read or learned.

At least that’s how I felt. I think a lot of others feel the same way.

I also know how a lot of high schoolers are: they are just trying to pass. Doing online schooling is easier to cheat or get distracted from what you are supposed to be doing.

Although I think that the fully online schooling to get your diploma isn’t the best idea, the blended program seems to be a bit better. It might be good for some students who will have more free time to work or do whatever they do. They also can get the help they need from teachers or other students when they have meetings.

I also feel like the social part of school is very important to get you ready for working after high school.

I can only hope that the ones doing this program, or others like it, won’t feel the same way as I did with my online schooling.

— Mackenzie Leigh Nichols

Faith