Dothan teen gets education online

Shannon Caroline Flatt just doesn’t have time for the same old song and dance when it comes to her high school education.
As a member of the Tallahassee Ballet Company, Flatt travels from Dothan to Tallahassee, Fla., about four days per week. Combined with her practice and performance schedule, getting a high school education the old-fashioned way just wasn’t compatible with her dream of becoming a professional dancer.

More:
 

Picking a school
  While Keystone High is a reputable school, some online schools may not be. Here’s a list of red flags from the Better Business Bureau regarding bogus online institutions.    
  ■ Degrees or diplomas awarded based on “life experience” and require very little or no work.  
  ■ Institution guarantees you will receive a degree or diploma within a few days, weeks or months.  
  ■ The institution offers deals if you sign up to receive more than one degree at a time, such as a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree for one low price.  
  ■ Addresses for administration buildings include P.O. boxes or suite numbers.  
  ■ Prices are stated per degree instead of per credit hour.

Luckily, technology has enabled Flatt to pursue her dancing dreams and get a quality education.

Flatt, 15, is completing her high school coursework online at Keystone High School. Keystone High, an accredited and licensed private online high school allows Flatt to do coursework online when it’s convenient for her. She’s able also able to interact with students and other teachers online.

Flatt said the coursework is challenging, and that adapting to online learning was tough at first. Flatt said the nature of online coursework requires students to be more self-motivated, and that having to communicate with a teacher online rather than face-to face can be frustrating at times.

“It’s nothing like regular school,” she said.

Despite that, Flatt said the additional challenges were worthwhile because of the flexibility Keystone High provides her.

Tim Magner, vice president of Keystone High, said online learning is becoming more prevalent, as many public schools are offering classes online and most college students will have to take some portion of their coursework in the form of an online class. Magner said Keystone students may actually be better prepared than their counterparts who go to brick and mortar schools because of their familiarity with online work.