All students are not created equally. Children learn at different paces and some teaching techniques work better for some students than others. With the advancements in technology, there are numerous learning options available to students. One option that has become quite popular is online schools. Virtual education offers students the option of learning from the comfort of their own home.There are many benefits for students that attend online schools, such as receiving all of the individual attention that they need, and being able to pause and resume lectures. This form of learning gives them the option to be themselves while they focus on what they want to become in the future. Students are also given the same courtesy and respect that they would receive if they were in a traditional classroom. Staff members will provide students with a positive learning environment that meets all required state and common core educational standards and they will hold students to high expectations, which will result in good self-esteem, respect for others, personal growth, and responsible citizenship.Instructors want to create well-rounded individuals. They will help to sharpen the skills that students already have and will work to strengthen the skills that may be weak in other areas. Online schools strive to provide a well-rounded curriculum along with a flexible schedule, which will allow students to maximize their potential for learning. Flexibility is one of the biggest benefits to a virtual education program. Students will be able to focus on long-term and short-term goals, which will help keep them motivated and on track to be successful.Many of these virtual institutions have multiple programs available and will provide students with all of the necessary equipment and software. Some programs will also partner with a local school district, so that they have a local contact person to meet with if necessary. Providing students with an education tailored to their specific needs and interests is a big goal of the virtual programs. Many educators feel that this personal interest keeps students more engaged in the curriculum, making them want to learn more.There are certain requirements that students must meet while attending online schools. They are required to put in a minimum of twenty-five hours per week on the computer. As long as students meet the weekly attendance requirement, they can work at their own pace. If they finish their work early, they can begin on the next lesson. Students will be assigned to a coaching team and they can also work with a mentor. These mentors will usually call the student once a week to see how they are doing and make sure there are no problems. Someone from the program will call twice weekly to speak with the parents as well as the students and make sure everything is going okay.Online schools may not be for everyone, but for some students it may be just what they need in order to excel academically.