Online learning is increasingly common. Today, millions of students at all levels access digital learning both inside and outside the walls of their schools. While many think of online schooling as geared solely toward high school and beyond, elementary school students can also benefit from supplemental or fully online school programs.

This guide is designed to introduce the key elements of online elementary schools and answer common questions about cost, schedules, curricula and other important areas. It will also help parents assess whether online elementary school is right for their children.

Online elementary schools come in a variety of packages. Many states, as well as some large school districts, offer online public schools free to those who live within that state or district. Students may also attend online charter or private elementary schools.

Some families turn to online elementary schools for educational enrichment, while others are looking for remedial help for struggling students. Students can enroll full time or use online courses to supplement the offerings at their brick-and-mortar schools.

Proponents of online elementary school point to a number of benefits. In many online schools, students receive personalized learning programs and immediate feedback on their progress through course management systems. Many online elementary schools offer self-paced learning, allowing students to progress quickly through subjects they have mastered and spend more time with difficult subjects or topics that engage their interest.

Families often seek out online elementary schools because they offer a great degree of flexibility while adhering to state or federal education standards.

In general, transferring from an online to a brick-and-mortar elementary school should not be significantly different from transferring between two traditional schools. Online elementary schools are designed to deliver a rigorous academic curriculum. Accredited schools and schools partnering with local or state education departments will be able to provide transcripts and necessary documentation for your student.

Online students need to socialize just like their traditional school peers. In state-run virtual schools and those aligned with individual districts, students may attend school to participate in gym, art or music classes, and after-school and summer enrichment courses. Public and private online schools may offer field trips and other events. Other socialization options can be found through museums and athletic facilities and organizations such as the YMCA. Families of online students can take advantage of community-run sports and enrichment programs, including after-school programs such as Mad Science. Homeschooling groups exist across the country and provide regular opportunities for students to play sports, attend art or music classes and build bonds.

Students of online schools turn in homework, write assignments, complete projects and take quizzes and tests. Work may be submitted via email or through course management systems, such as Connections Academy's Connexus, Moodle or Blackboard. Teachers grade projects and written pieces. Public schools and those that partner with states and districts may also administer statewide assessment tests. Many online schools tout their ongoing assessment and communication with students and parents as a benefit over traditional brick-and-mortar schools.

At the elementary school level, learning coaches (often parents) play a significant role in giving students the attention they need. This differs from the more independent, self-guided nature of online high schools. Learning coaches may facilitate communication between students and their online teachers. They are critical to providing structure, motivation and guidance as students move through the curriculum. Students can also get support from online teachers and other students using tools such as video conferencing, discussion boards, email or telephone.

Online public and charter schools are free for students within the host district or region. Students from other areas may be allowed to pay tuition to attend those schools. Several private online elementary schools are partnered with states or districts that cover tuition for students who live within those states or districts. Computers, Internet access and textbooks may be provided by the sponsoring organization. Private online elementary schools charge tuition and fees. Tuition ranges from several hundred dollars to around $6,000 for a year's tuition. Scholarships and grants are available.

Learning coach is the term many online schools use for the adult primarily responsible for guiding the student through online elementary school. A learning coach is often a parent, but can be any adult willing to take on the role. Learning coaches must commit to providing ongoing guidance, supervision and motivation for their student throughout the school year.

Blended, or hybrid, learning combines digital delivery with on-campus instruction. Blended learning may take a variety of forms, including in-class instruction combined with online practice or online exploration followed by in-class discussion. In general, blended learning refers to a formal program rather than an ad hoc use of technology.

Synchronous learning closely resembles the image we have of traditional classroom learning. It involves a group of students all learning the same thing at the same time. Online tools for synchronous learning include videos, course management systems and web conferences. Synchronous learning can promote a sense of community for online learners.

Asynchronous learning refers to student-centered learning that is self-guided and self-paced. It can make use of communication tools, including email, discussion boards, course management systems and even face-to-face interactions between students and teachers. It provides a great deal of flexibility for students.

Full-time online elementary schools require no “chair time” or attendance at a traditional brick-and-mortar school. Fully online schools rely on digital delivery of instructional content and student work.

Supplemental online programs are designed to complement, not replace, brick-and-mortar schooling. Examples of supplemental online education include a single-semester course in geometry or the progressive study of a language over several years. Supplemental online education can be for enrichment or remedial education. It may be part of a formal program within a school district or an ad hoc addition for an individual student.

Public online schools are state-sponsored, publicly funded schools offering a curriculum that mirrors what is found in brick-and-mortar schools and meets state or Common Core learning standards.

Private online schools charge tuition. They do not need to adhere to state or Common Core standards. Accreditation provides a benchmark of quality for private schools.

Online charter schools are sponsored and overseen by state or local districts. Students living within the sponsoring area may attend for free. Others may be charged tuition.

Course management systems like Moodle, Blackboard and Connexus deliver educational content within a comprehensive online system. These programs provide course materials alongside tools that allow students to participate in class discussions, chat with teachers, take assessments and track performance online.

MOOC stands for massive online open course. Khan Academy is a well-known provider of MOOCs. Usually offered for free, MOOCs deliver educational content and offer online assessments.

All accredited public, private and charter schools should cover the same core courses and concepts, although there is flexibility in topics and delivery methods. Some schools offer elective or special courses as part of their curriculum. Online elementary schools affiliated with school districts or state education departments may partner with brick-and-mortar schools to deliver these opportunities to students.

The kindergarten curriculum provides the basic building blocks for success in school. Along with the fundamentals of literacy and math, students explore science topics such as how plants grow and social studies topics such as maps, landforms and bodies of water. Some schools offer electives in physical education, art, technology or foreign languages.

Kindergarten language arts skills may include:

Kindergarten mathematics skills may include:

First-grade students build upon basic math and literacy skills to become more fluent. They will continue learning about science and the scientific method through topics such as weather, energy, animal habitats and rocks and soil. Social studies may include lessons ranging from the organization of communities (neighborhoods, towns and states) to the different kinds of systems we rely on (mail, transportation and communication) to famous people who have shaped our history.

First-grade language arts skills may include:

Kindergarten mathematics skills may include:

Second grade works to build students' critical thinking skills. Science lessons may cover topics such as the water cycles, erosion, states of matter, gravity and friction. Social studies may include lessons on local and federal government, early American history, maps and basic landforms.

Second-grade language arts skills may include:

Second-grade math skills may include:

Third grade capitalizes on improved reading and writing fluency to explore topics with more depth and complexity. Science lessons might cover life cycles of plants and animals as well as ecosystems, the solar system and properties of matter. Social studies lessons may include topics such as economics, early Native American communities and history of migration.

Third-grade language arts skills may include:

Third-grade math skills may include:

Fourth grade ushers in a higher level of thought, problem solving and critical thinking. In social studies, students may explore the culture and geography of different climates and regions. Science topics may include animal adaptations, necessary elements to sustain plant and animal life, force and motion, properties of matter, and phases of the moon.

Fourth-grade language arts skills may include:

Fourth-grade math skills may include:

Fifth grade hones students' language and math skills, preparing them for the challenges of middle school. Lessons in science may include plant and animal cells, plate tectonics, introduction to the periodic table, and the effect of friction and gravity on motion. Social studies may cover topics including European exploration, the American Revolution, the Civil War and westward expansion.

Fifth-grade language arts skills may include:

Fifth-grade math skills may include:

There is no substitute for accreditation. Whether the school is public, private or charter, accreditation by a state, regional or national board provides a measure of legitimacy and a benchmark for quality that parents can rely on.

Most, if not all, online public schools hire state-certified teachers. However, certification is not necessarily required for charter and private schools. In those instances, it is important to ask about teacher qualifications. Do they hold a bachelor's or master's degree in elementary education? If not, do they hold a degree in the subject along with a background in education? Are they experienced? Do they participate in professional development?

Online elementary students and learning coaches need ongoing support. Learning coaches often benefit from orientation or tutorials offered at the beginning of the school year. They may also want opportunities to connect with teachers and other parents throughout the year. Students need to be able to connect with their teachers in a timely manner. Finally, many online public schools provide equipment鈥攍aptops, printers, and Wi-Fi access. In such instances, it is important that schools offer technical support.

Online public elementary schools adhere to state standards for each grade level. Private and charter schools may not. Comparing the curriculum to Common Core standards is one way to gauge whether a school will meet your student's needs.

Elementary students need to make connections with their teachers and peers. Teachers should work to make a connection to individual students and be available for voice or video calls. Schools can offer opportunities to build connections through virtual classroom discussions, chats and discussion boards. Many schools offer field trips, clubs, extracurricular activities and other opportunities for students to connect with their virtual classmates.

Collaboration between parents and teachers is critical to student success at the elementary level. While middle and high school students are able to guide their own learning and access tools and technology more independently, online elementary students rely more on their learning coaches. Here are some ways to help students succeed in an online elementary school:

Organize each school day, each week, and the overall year as much as you can beforehand. Some online schools include course management systems that help students and parents stay on track.

Younger students thrive on routine. Daily and weekly routines help students succeed.

Be very clear about what you expect from your elementary student. While many online schools will provide course management tools, younger students still need guidance and clear instructions from their learning coaches.

Be your school's (and, therefore, your child's) cheerleader. Even if you found a particular subject frustrating when you were in school, steer clear of sharing overly negative feelings. Model a positive, can-do attitude for your student.

When you take on the role of learning coach, you must be available to engage with your student. Online elementary school students usually require hands-on interaction with adults for success.

Most online elementary schools offer support to both students and learning coaches. When you connect with professionals and other learning coaches, you can share ideas and strategies, as well as ask for help when you need it.

Take advantage of extracurricular activities offered by your online school and your community.

Balance is the key to success! Technology and personalized learning are the pillars of success for online elementary schools. Finding the right balance between the two is the secret to success for online students.

Online tools allow for an unprecedented level of personalization. Technology allows students to be self-paced, meaning they can spend more time on challenging subjects while progressing swiftly through subjects they have mastered. Course management systems can provide instant feedback and targeted skills practice. Flexible, asynchronous learning adapts to students' individual needs.

Many elementary students crave one-on-one attention. Instruction from learning coaches or online chats with teachers provide a personal connection that encourages and motivates students. Face-to-face instruction is also a critical component of elementary education. Many schools provide support and materials to facilitate positive instruction from parents and learning coaches.

One aspect of virtual elementary school is that there often is no typical day. Flexible scheduling and self-pacing allow students and learning coaches to craft each day, week or project to reflect the student's needs and interests. If a student is struggling with a math concept, there is no need to stop the lesson and move on. Some students and learning coaches find they complete all of the day's schoolwork before lunch, leaving afternoons free for additional learning projects, sports, clubs, music lessons or other activities.

The Internet is a goldmine of information for new homeschool families. The following online tools and resources are an excellent place to start.