5 Reasons Why it’s Not Too Late to Transfer to Online School Mid-Year
byConnections Academy
6 min to read
This article was originally published August 2022 and was updated January 2025.
When students struggle to find success in their current school environment, families often have to make the difficult decision to transfer their student to a different school in the middle of the academic year.
This may mean moving from one public school to another due to a move, or it could be finding a private school that better aligns with the family’s values. But often families find that online learning is the right choice for their student.
If your family is looking for more flexibility in when and where your child learns, discover more about how it is never too late to transfer to a public online school in the middle of the school year.
Can You Switch to Online School in the Middle of The Year?
Yes, students can transfer to an online school at any time during the school year. At online public schools like Connections Academy, eligible students enrolled in kindergarten, elementary, middle, or high school can transfer from an existing public or private school as well as homeschool programs.
Families can speak with enrollment specialists to learn more about the specific requirements of transferring to a K-12 online public school in their state, but there are some things to consider first before making the switch.
Enrollment Caps
While online schools do not have to worry about physically fitting a certain number of students into a classroom, there still are limits to how many students each school can have enrolled. While this is not always the case, some online schools may put students on waitlists if they have already reached their enrollment cap.
School Availability
Not every state has a public online school option. For families interested in enrolling in online school who live outside of an eligible area, live internationally, or whose local online school does not offer their student’s grade level, families often look to private online school options such as Pearson Online Academy instead.
Time Commitment
Though many families find online school to be a better fit for them, online school is not always the right choice for every situation. Students in online school need a dedicated Learning Coach—a trusted adult who can help them stay on track with their day-to-day learning—and a reliable learning space in their home.
Families can speak with an enrollment specialist to learn more about the enrollment deadlines, school options, time commitments of online school as well as get answers for frequently asked questions about enroll mid-year enrollment.
Why It's Not Too Late to Transfer Schools
While it is recommended student earn their semester credits before transferring, families do not need to wait until the end of the semester or the academic year to switch their student to an online school. Here are just a few ways Connections Academy makes it possible to transfer schools at any time.
1. We Accept Transfer Credits
Whether a student is transferring from a brick-and-mortar school, a charter school, homeschool program, or another online public school, Connections Academy enrollment specialists can help place them at the right grade level and match them with the programs they need to meet their academic goals and graduation requirements based on their transcripts and past learning experience.
2. We Offer Credit Recovery
If your student is behind academically, many students can get ahead with online school through state-provided programs or our tuition-based Credit Recovery Program. Hosted during the summer months through our online private school Pearson Online Academy, eligible students who need to retake a course due to an unsatisfactory final grade, failure due to absence, or who need to catch up on credit hours can have a better chance of graduating on time and improve their GPA through these courses while still having time to enjoy their summer.
3. We Offer a Robust Support System
Families who transfer to a Connections Academy-supported school are never left in the dark when it comes to transferring—even in the middle of the school year. Applicants can speak to an enrollment specialist every step of the way, from learning more about their online school options to best practices about how to optimize an at-home learning space and how to help students adjust to a new school in the middle of the semester. Families also have access to school-specific groups on social media as well as a library of resources on our blog and information sessions.
4. We offer Flexible Scheduling
While there are still attendance requirements, the flexible scheduling of online school allows families to make the school day work around their schedules, which includes the enrollment process. Download our free eGuide to get a sneak peek at what Connections Academy is all about and speak with an enrollment specialist from wherever you are. There is no need to schedule an appointment or meet in an office. Families can start the enrollment process wherever and whenever is convenient for them.
When Does Second Semester Enrollment Start?
When second semester enrollment begins varies from school-to-school, but typically families begin the transfer process for the second semester in late November to December for the spring semester. However, eligible students can typically begin the transfer process at any time. Find a Connections Academy-supported school near you and speak to an enrollment specialist to learn more about second semester enrollment.
How Long Does It Take to Switch to Online School?
The enrollment process usually takes around two weeks. Families can expedite the enrollment process by ensuring they have all the needed forms and documents that their school requires.
Enroll in Connections Academy
It’s never too late to find the right school for your student. If your family has decided that a Connections Academy-supported school is the right fit for your family, find a school near you today to learn more about your state’s enrollment requirements.
Find Your School For More Transfer-Related Details
Every school is unique. Find out more about your state’s tuition-free Connections Academy supported school.
