By Tara Grosso

For smaller high schools like Hull High School in Hull, Massachusetts, offering students a diverse and enriching curriculum can be severely limited by the number of available instructors. It’s no secret that fewer students means fewer teachers. In our case, we have less than 300 students and around 40 teachers. It’s a reality that can restrict student choice and hinder their academic aspirations. Fortunately, we make very good use of online classes, and our learners get the same (or better) options as any school out there.

We’ve used VHS Learning for 12 years now. I was the library media specialist and after my first year of working at my school, our principal decided to partner with the nonprofit VHS Learning to better serve the academic needs of our student population. We initially used them only for credit recovery and later added electives. We currently purchase 25 student enrollments plus receive another 10 at no charge from the STEM Advanced Placement (AP) Access Expansion Opportunity (SAPAO)—a statewide initiative funded by a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (MA DESE) designed to increase Massachusetts students’ participation in advanced STEM coursework. SAPAO has provided Massachusetts high schools with access to ten AP STEM courses free of charge. Advanced course options include AP Computer Science Principles, AP Physics C, AP Calculus BC, and more.

The company also has a very strong commitment to computer science. The release of generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini has highlighted the impacts of technology in education and in society. Careers in computer science fields are expected to grow rapidly over the next decade. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in computer science and information technology fields is projected to grow much faster than the average growth rate for all jobs through 2032—with more than 377,000 job openings each year, on average. As more processes become automated, more decisions rely on data analysis, and as advancements such as artificial intelligence transform key operations, the need for skilled employees in fields such as computer programming, information research, systems analysis and design, database management, cybersecurity, and IT support will continue to expand.

Unfortunately, only 53 percent of U.S. high schools currently offer computer science courses for students. But we do.

Another huge benefit we get from our online course provider is one of the largest College Board-approved Advanced Placement® course catalogs anywhere. exam compared to the national average of 77%. Students find great success in VHS Learning AP® courses, with most students on average exceeding global pass rates. During the 2022-2023 academic year, the average student course completion rate, defined as students who complete their VHS Learning course and achieve a score of 60 or higher, was 91%

Our small high school doesn’t always have enough students interested in specific AP subjects or enough AP teachers to teach all the different subjects requested. For motivated students who want to take those extra classes, the online learning program gives them a chance to add those advanced classes (e.g., AP Statistics, AP Biology, and AP Psychology) to their schedules. Last year, one of our students who wants to be a pharmacist took both the AP Statistic and AP Chemistry.

Students can take a wide range of electives that they wouldn’t have access to in our traditional classrooms. Our school is located on a peninsula along the ocean, for example, so they absolutely love the fact that they can take Oceanography. This semester, some students also took Psychology of Crime, which was new for us, and a few others began taking Business Law. The options are virtually limitless.

We encourage our entire student body to give online learning a try. Being in an online classroom helps the students from our small school learn with and from students from around the world, leading to a better understanding of global perspectives. We always encourage someone to go for it, even if they’re dubious and unsure about the difficulty level. We just tell them to give it a chance.  This year, we started offering American Sign Language (ASL) for the first time and we also offer a “Who Do I Want to Be When I Grow Up?” course to help students discover possible careers. We had two students who both did well in the latter course several years ago who I still keep in touch with today.

Success with online learning requires students to keep up with due dates, be self-motivated, and take control of their learning. These are all soft skills that translate well in college, the workplace and life in general. If a student runs off track a bit with his or her coursework, we also encourage them to advocate for themselves, communicate with their online teachers, and get the support they need to be able to get back on track.

Our online learning program also teaches students the basics of time management, which is extremely critical as these young people move from high school to college to career. The 200+ different courses also help students who aren’t sure about their future college or career paths. They can try out a few different options and decide what is or isn’t right for them. The great thing is that these courses can be taken as electives and with much less pressure.

This year, two of our 52 high school graduates got accepted into Harvard University, and both took AP courses online. We’re immensely proud of this accomplishment and of our entire graduating class. In fact, one of them has been taking online courses from our partner since her sophomore year, and most recently took AP Statistics and AP European History. 

Whatever unique subject our students want to explore, they can find it online. There are so many options available within a safe, secure environment and our students can stretch themselves academically while also expanding their horizons by meeting students from all over the world.

About the author

Tara Grosso is the Library Media Specialist and VHS Learning site coordinator at Hull High School in Hull, Mass.