“Home schooling” has gained a new meaning.

Virtual education is a rising force for students of all ages. Brick and mortar facilities have met their match. The South Carolina Connections Academy is one for K-12 students.

Sherry Cates and her daughter Molly Cates are an Academy mother-daughter duo.

Sherry teaches core subjects for gifted and talented fourth and fifth grade students. Molly is an online senior in high school.

Both work from home.

Molly transferred to virtual school in sixth grade.

“I encouraged Molly,” Sherry said. She has been teaching online for 11 years. Before that, she taught in a traditional school.

“I struggled a lot with anxiety,” Molly said. A large school and tight scheduling didn’t suit her.

She transferred back into private school for a while, but returned to the Connections Academy this fall.

“Online school is a lot more stress free,” she said.

It still comes with responsibility though, she added.

There is a misconception that online education is easier. It’s not, Sherry clarified. The Academy’s curriculum meets both state and national standards.

Molly loves the flexibility of virtual school. The pace can be slowed or accelerated. She works and can fit classes around her hours.

Sherry enjoys many aspects, too.

The setup at the start of the year is easier and less costly for teachers. “The virtual classroom is not hard to set up,” Sherry said. “It’s just clicking.” There is no need to buy school supplies for the class.

Unruly students are easier to handle. “It’s more manageable,” Sherry said, even though class size is bigger.

She doesn’t miss after-hour meetings. Nearly everything can be done from home during office hours.

Sherry still gets to know families well. Phone calls take the place of in-person interaction. Video conferences help, too. “[Students] bring me into their homes,” she said.

Sherry does live lessons daily. Students can tune in or listen to the recorded version. They can interact with their webcams, “chat pods” and microphones.

“We do encourage them to come live,” she said.

Phone calls allow Sherry to pick up on any prospective cheating. They show her what students know. If they’re proficient on assignments, but can’t speak on a subject, there may be an issue.

Small group instruction and individual lessons let her help struggling students.

Online school may not be for everyone.

“I’m pretty independent,” Molly said. “I’ve never really struggled with motivation.”

Others may.

It may be best for people who are independent, motivated, and either gifted or struggling in traditional school, she said.

Her mom added that it’s great for kids who need more flexibility. She has some students who do sports, acting and traveling. Virtual school makes their lives easier.

One of her students’ father is a businessman. They can travel together because of SCCA. The middle schooler does her lessons from all around the world — from as far as Serbia.

Still, there is no “one-size-fits-all.” Sherry is glad for options.

One aspect she misses about traditional school is hands-on learning. Web-cams can facilitate these activities to some extent, but it’s not the same.

Socializing is more challenging online, Molly added.

Still, there are some options for in-person activities.

SCCA has opportunities for clubs, open houses, field trips, a prom, an in-person graduation ceremony and university visits for high school students.

“They even offer visits to local businesses or companies,” said Marissa Fewel of Allison+Partners. Students can “explore potential careers and fields that interest them.”