Great Hearts Academies, with two schools located at 23276 N. 83rd Ave., Peoria, is entering its second year of offering virtual K-8.

Great Hearts Online offers curriculum in a virtual setting, focusing on relationships and community building, and offering live instruction with dedicated teachers and peers.

Students attending Great Hearts Online gather virtually in small, 15-24 student classes Monday through Thursday to learn, discuss, and seminar in the classical tradition creating an online community where everybody recognizes each other's voice, face, and personality.

After talking to parents, Great Hearts Online learned some families could not make this style of education work for their schedules. Frequent travel, medical appointments or commitments to full-time, competitive sports had families asking for more flexibility. From listening and learning, a second School@Home model approach was born. This new flexible week model accommodates those with busy lives and entails viewing the recorded classes and completing assigned work throughout the week independently combined with teacher check-ins and live reading groups for grades K-2. This approach best suits a self motivated child who thrives on self-organization and has strong parent or guardian support.

The original teacher-led live instruction model remains the preferred method to educate children, but we also recognize the family-need for increased flexibility.

The two School@Home options are being well-received by families who are now deciding the best path for their child and family.

“We had always wanted to homeschool but felt overwhelmed by the thought of carrying the load alone. This program is the perfect blend of rigorous and rich education combined with the nurturing environment of at-home learning.” says Great Hearts Online parent and microschool founder, Erica McQuown.

Families in either model have access to all that Great Hearts Online has to offer: virtual and in-person social events, clubs and athletics, SPED supports, live tutoring and live office hours.

To learn more about Great Hearts Online, visit https://greatheartsonline.org.