As parents, we are really excited about OHSU. Rick has been a longtime fan of opensource technology and I am thrilled with the rigorous curriculum that uses technology in a forward thinking manner. I have no doubt that this format will be used more and more frequently, and I am excited that Michael is receiving a cutting edge education. The assignments are reasonable, the teacher feedback is specific and timely (ie. wonderful), and I am thrilled with the types of assignments. I see my son learning to articulate his ideas in a more mature manner and I have also been excited about the online discussions. From my perspective, they give normally very quiet kids a chance to participate, which is something that would not happen in a typical classroom. It is great to give him the option of being home with us, me the option of still supervising and having a hand in his education, and also have the option of making him accountable to someone else. Having the sense of accountability to another authority seems to give the learning purpose and makes it interesting and more challenging for him.
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I, for one, am so glad that Christine is a part of OHSU. Her grades have improved dramatically, she looks forward to classes, and she has begun to talk, and listen to, the other students online.
-Laura Mohrman
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I am the Student Body Vice President and I go to OHSU full time. OHSU is great for any student, from the travelers to advanced learners. I love this kind of learning just because it is SO flexible. And you can always make sure that you are understanding all of the curriculum. It’s one on one learning, on your own time, and wherever you want! Who wouldn’t want to learn like this?
My job as SBO is to help the President, Rachel Shearer, plan activities for the students of OHSU to get together with other students that are just like them. And to make the activities fun! The students have impact on these activities, and we do diverse things that public schools can’t. These students can connect with other students that are just like them and see the advantages of being an online student. These students have vast interests, and other students have even more diverse talents which makes all of the students interesting, and able to express themselves so easily. Not only are we smart, but we’re pretty cool too.
OHSU is an amazing place, and I enjoy attending. I have many interests, and some that may even surprise you. One of my favorite things to do is plan, and get people together. I love that I got the position as Vice President because it allows me to connect with other students who are just like me, and have seen the advantages of OHSU. I have made so many friends, when usually you would think that an online school’s disadvantage is the lack of having a social life, when really, I have gone to places in Utah I have never been to before! All to see the students who do such amazing things.
I love OHSU, and the freedom to learn more, to grow, or sometimes even learn about yourself, and your desires. OHSU is an amazing school, with the best teachers, the best parents, and definitely the best students. I have seen students that are notorious for their F’s to go to C’s, and B’s, and eventually A’s, because they feel no pressure, and that they can do all of this when they know they have the time to focus. OHSU is the height of education, and you can only fully appreciate this program when you experience it.
-Corinne P.
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I just wanted to point out how great of a year it’s been at OHSU. Honestly, it’s been a life changing experience. I have not received education like this before via virtual schooling–this is NOTHING like (anything I have done before). The teachers are one of the factors that have really impacted me–without their expert teacher skills, I would be on the road to destruction. Before I joined OHSU, I was given textbooks for everything; textbooks that were impossible to understand. This made it exceptionally difficult for math. I was barely able to multiply and divide correctly and I couldn’t grasp the idea of fractions when I joined OHSU. It would only be a matter of time before I was held back because of my shaky math knowledge. Taking the CRTs last year, I did not know a single thing I was reading. Mrs. Weston saved me from such doom and taught in such an effective manner that even if I skipped some of the basics, I have learned almost everything that I did not understand the years before and I am understanding math concepts easily now, even after just one or two of her videos. I used to be terrified of math but I actually enjoy it sometimes now! I stare at things and say “About 3/4 of that is all that she gave me.” I couldn’t do that a year ago. Current Issues has seriously changed my point of view, more than you can imagine. It makes me appreciate the existence of newspapers, radio, and TV, and makes me realize how much of a difference the Internet is making. I never realized how much social media is changing the way we live and communicate, and how it affects advertising. I also showed some of the videos used in the course my mom’s friend who does not understand the impact and importance of social media. It never crossed my mind that books and other forms of communication protect us from being dominated by an evil ruler or emperor. What if Gutenberg never created the printing press? Where would we be now? It is also scary how much what we hear from the news and certain brands can influence humans! Current Issues has really made me realize aspects of society that I never saw before; it’s made a dramatic difference in the way I think. If I dare explain how much I’ve learned this year, this email would explode, so I will stop right here. But I want you to know that this has been great experience and I will most certainly be coming back next year! This school certainly debunks myths about online schooling, because I think the learning here is great and very individualized. I always get help whenever I ask for it! The teachers are a big factor on what made this possible. Thanks for setting this whole thing up. Please continue to do so… forever. I’m proud to be one of the first students of OHSU!
-Jizelle J.
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I have been homeschooled most of my life except for Kindergarten, where I missed a lot of school because I have really severe asthma and was always sick. I really like OHSU because it is really convenient when I am sick. I also really like the teachers. They are very nice and are always so flexible. I really wanted a High School experience since I am that age now, but didn’t want to go to public school. I really like OHSU because it feels like High School. We have class officers, a mascot, elections, and fieldtrips and social activities. I love OHSU and appreciate all that my teachers do. Thanks OHSU teachers!
-Philip V.
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I travel a lot for professional skateboarding, so I need to be able to do school on my own time while traveling. This is why I love OHSU and why it should be recommended to many students.
-Tyson B.
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I chose OHSU because it would allow me to learn at my own pace. I have always been ahead in my classes, but now I have a 4.0 GPA for the first time in my life. I can start school when I want to and I am protected against bullies.
-Anonymous
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I’ve done public school and it just didn’t seem like it was working for me. I hated sitting in that hard desk almost all day long and I was always hungry…I really like OHSU because it’s kind of like public school but I can work on my own schedule, I can do my work on my bed and if I get hungry I can go find an apple or something!
-Amber R.
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I chose OHSU because I think it is a better learning environment for me. I get the quality education that I have always wanted. In my other school, I felt like I was rushing myself, trying to get everything done in a short period of time. Here, I can pace myself, I don’t have to rush and I do better than I did at the local school. Thank you OHSU!!
-Emily L.
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OHSU really is a good school. The best part is that the teachers are great at communicating. If you have a question they will answer you quickly and if they won’t be around, they will let you know. Also with the voicethreads and other tech tools, it’s fun that you can still get to know other students.
-Sarah D.
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In my own humble opinion, open high school is THE BEST high school EVER. It is more structured than home school, but more flexible than public school. We take field trips, do service learning projects, have class officers and even fun activities like “Crazy Hair Day”. You can totally have the whole social aspect of high school if you want it We use a bajillion and one tools to communicate with our friends online.
-Jessica W.
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