If you are the parent of a California student looking for academic achievement, flexibility, and enrichment that will culminate in an accredited high school diploma, iQ Academy may be the right choice for you. iQ Academy is ideal for:

• Students looking for a high-quality alternative to their current school
• Students seeking flexibility in their school schedule
• Struggling students
• Advanced and enrichable learners
• Military families
• Athletes and performers
• Children who are homebound
• Previously homeschooled students seeking an academically rigorous, accredited, elementary, middle, or high school education

iQ Academy courses in language arts, math, science and social studies, Advanced Placement, honors, world languages and physical education are taken online—anytime, anywhere there is Internet access.

Online learning provides an engaging and effective means to comprehend and achieve mastery of course content and earn credits toward graduation. It also builds computer-technology and higher-order thinking skills that are critical for success in today's digital age. But online learning is not for everyone. Particularly for the middle and high school levels, it requires the ability to work independently and the discipline to stay on track. While online learning lets you set your own schedule, you must still progress at a pace that enables you to meet assignment and test deadlines and complete your coursework within the semester.

In the K¹² "mastery" model for grades K–6, there is greater flexibility in terms of pace—so, for instance, if a child needs more time to grasp a concept, he or she can take that time. Naturally, we don’t expect the kind of independence needed in higher grades; instead, the parent/Learning Coach works in close partnership with the teacher to support a child’s schooling experience.

Students in grades 7–12 who have a high probability of success in an online learning environment generally display the following characteristics:

1. Student is self-motivated and exhibits characteristics of maturity.
2. Student possesses reading and writing skills at or above their current grade level.
3. Student is willing to ask the teacher for help.
4. Student exhibits organizational and time-management skills.
5. Student is comfortable with the technology required by the course.
6. Student expectations of online learning courses are realistic.

As the parent of a student considering taking online courses, we ask that you consider each of these characteristics. If your child does do not meet the most of them, it may be best for that he or she take a different type of course. If some the characteristics are not met, your child still may be successful at online learning, but you there may be some difficulties. Please consider this carefully, so that you will have the best chance for success. For students in grades 7–12, see Tips for Online Learning Success and take the Preparing for Online Learning Success quiz.