Balancing double blocked extracurricular classes with electives and core classes can feel almost impossible, but the online high school Garza has changed that. Garza allows students to take required classes on their own flexible schedule, opening up space for off periods, electives and other extra activities. Programs like Garza are really helpful for students, because they give control over their education and make high school more manageable for everyone.
Garza has over 31 different course options that students can take at any time of the year and is mostly self-paced, depending on whether a class is semester long or year long you can take health over the fall, spring or summer. Another advantage is if you need graduation credits, but your on-campus schedule is already full, you can take that Garza class allowing you to achieve that credit.
If you want an off period you can take a class over the summer and earn that free time, and on top of that, every course is free for AISD students, you just need internet access, basic computer skills, an e-mail address, and to make sure your computer is up to date.
Another big advantage is the effect Garza has on students’ mental health. School is such a big source of stress for students and allowing them to take classes more spread out and take their time instead of pressuring four to six classes into a single semester, students can spread out their work and focus on fewer subjects at once, which reduces pressure and actually helps students understand the material instead of rushing through it, Garza could make you actually pass and get an A in the class rather than failing and ruining your GPA, on top of your already stressful lives.
Another strength of Garza is the wide range of courses that are available to take. Garza offers classes from Algebra I all the way to Astronomy. If you’re the type of person who needs all of the electives possible on their resume for college but doesn’t have time in your schedule you can take the electives through Garza. And whether you need to take core classes like English I to English IV or other cool electives like Creative Writing or Art, Garza provides a class for nearly every interest. Garza also offers languages like Latin I & II or even ASL, as well as technology based classes like Computer Science I & II and Fundamentals of Computer Science.
With choices spanning from English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Languages, Technologies, and Arts, you can make your own schedule at home to match your goals, for example students in double blocked extracurriculars like band, or any of the athletics end up with no time to meet the required graduation credits, Garza allows them to stay involved in sports, and other activities while also still being a student and graduating. You can do both the things you love while also getting your diploma. So if you’re trying to get ahead of everyone, catching up or even exploring a new interest, Garza would be perfect for you.
Some people argue that online classes are less structured than in-person learning, Garza challenges that.
According to the AISD website the U.S. Department of Education recognizes Garza among 40 other schools in the country, providing the best practices and improving outcomes for students who are struggling. Students still have to pass final exams and turn in their school work to receive credit for their classes, but the difference is that Garza gives them the time to do it on their own schedule without rushing through a class.
Ultimately, Garza is more than just an online program, it offers real academic support and helps students take control of their own lives, rather than being stressed by school work. More schools should offer programs like Garza, it would make school so much more manageable for students and improve everyone’s well-being. Beyond the flexibility, Garza makes students build their own education in a school system that makes every student learn at the same pace, at the same time Garza is proof that education can be personalized and way less stressful, Garza shows that the future of adapting to students needs, rather than students adapting to rigid school structures reduces mental health struggles.
