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How learning online compares with in-person learning for students of all ages.

As we continue following COVID safety protocol, teachers are seeing a change in student behavior. This is unavoidable even to a small degree, but Carrollton is managing the challenges with positive results.  

From the beginning, Carrollton was committed to providing a safe environment for in-person learning as well as virtual options for those who attend from home. While most students are back to in-person learning, there are still some who are continuing their education at home and some who miss during familial quarantine. 

Carrollton’s virtual learning option is open to all families but for Montessori and Primary students, if parents wish to keep their daughter at home they must commit to it for three weeks. Once those three weeks have passed, they have the option again to decide whether or not their daughter stays home for another three weeks or if she returns to in-person learning at school. 

“Carrollton teachers make sure that the students who are learning virtually still feel connected to them, and their classmates,” wrote Mrs. Canto, Montessori Primary and Intermediate School Counselor.

The Intermediate, Junior High, and Upper School offer students the option for both in-person and virtual learning.

“The students who are virtual have learned how to manage their time, log on to all of their classes, and submit work to their teachers electronically. I have noticed the Primary and Intermediate students have been doing a great job logging on to their classes,” added Mrs.Canto.

Junior High School Counselor, Mrs. Echeverri wrote, “I believe our students have been extremely resilient in managing changes to the typical learning model. They have made the best of both situations and I am sure they have learned to find pros and cons to both models. I have noticed that those students who have not been in-person, seem to make greater efforts to participate in class and engage in conversation with their peers virtually.” 

About the Upper School, Counselor Mrs. Montero wrote, “The students have truly risen to the occasion and handled this as well as many of us hoped. Our students continuously demonstrate their resiliency and determination.” 

COVID has also impacted the college application process in many ways. Applying during the pandemic has both added and alleviated stress. Most school tests are optional this year as it was extremely difficult for students to take the SAT or ACT. Carrollton seniors were not able to visit colleges or meet with representatives in person unless they went before the lockdown. Students with excellent grades who didn’t have the highest test scores, were able to submit their applications to highly selective schools without sending in their scores. 

“Colleges need to be able to see that an applicant did not turn into a couch potato during COVID,” wrote Mrs.Patterson College and Academic Counselor. She added, “Our students have done well in adjusting to the new landscape of college admissions and so far the results have been excellent.”

Ms. Recicar, Director of College Counseling wrote, “I missed the daily interactions in assemblies, class meetings, and around campus, where I get to know the students in a more informal setting. I also missed catching up with the representatives who visit Carrollton. We share information about the class and individual students while learning what was new on their campus. Although I have attended a ton of virtual college sessions, it is not the same.”