School shapes a big part of your teen’s life. In a traditional setting, that often means six or seven hours a day on campus, plus homework, activities and, for many Idaho families, a commute that eats into mornings and evenings.

So it’s worth pausing to ask a simple question: Is your student thriving in the school they have right now?

If your answer is “no” or even “I’m not sure,” you’re not alone. A January 2025 survey from the National School Choice Awareness Foundation reported that 60% of parents have considered changing schools. In Idaho, a 2024 Bluum survey found 70% of parents feel they have a choice in where their child attends school, but only 4 in 10 say they are “very satisfied” with the overall quality of education at their child’s school. Those two realities can exist at the same time: families have options, and many are still searching for the right fit.

Start With an Honest Look at Your Student’s Daily Experience

Before researching alternatives, get specific about what’s working and what isn’t. Think about the core pieces of school life: academics, pacing, support, schedule, engagement, and relationships.

These questions can help guide the conversation:

• Is your student keeping pace with coursework or constantly trying to catch up?
• Are they getting the level of support they need, at the right time?
• Does the class environment help them focus and participate?
• Does the schedule work for your family, transportation, and outside commitments?
• Are there meaningful options for career exploration, advanced coursework, or dual credit?
• Do they feel connected to peers and part of a community?

Talk it Through as a Family

Changing schools is a big decision, especially in high school when credits, graduation requirements, and future plans matter. A helpful family conversation isn’t simply about “traditional vs. virtual.” It’s about fit: what your student needs to feel supported, appropriately challenged, and able to build toward what comes next.

Why Some Idaho Families Consider a Virtual School Option

More Idaho families are taking a closer look at how school is delivered, including full-time online options. Bluum’s Idaho by the Numbers reports (which compile Idaho Department of Education enrollment data) show online charter enrollment increasing in recent years, from 1.8% (5,606 students) in the 2024 edition to 4.9% (15,033 students) in the 2025 edition.

For some students, a full-time virtual model can help when they need:

• A more personalized pace, with the ability to spend more time where concepts are difficult and move ahead when they’re ready
• A schedule that supports real life, including family responsibilities, work, training, travel, or health needs
• A learning environment that reduces distractions and helps them re-engage
• Consistent structure and accountability, with state-certified teachers and clear expectations
• Room for future planning, including career exploration and next-step preparation without giving up flexibility

Of course, not every virtual option feels the same for students.

Over the last few years, families have seen that firsthand. At Idaho Technical Career Academy, we’ve found that teens tend to thrive when expectations are clear, support is consistent, and each day has a rhythm they can rely on. Since 2014, we’ve worked with Idaho students in grades 9-12 using the K12 curriculum, backed by 25 years of experience in online K-12 instruction.

The Takeaway

Education doesn’t have to be one-size-fits-all to be structured and meaningful. For some students, a traditional campus is the right fit. For others, a virtual model offers the space and flexibility to re-engage, rebuild momentum, and focus on what’s next. Either way, the best decision is the one grounded in your student’s real day-to-day experience — not what school is “supposed” to look like.

Tony Hilde serves as the Career Technical Education (CTE) Coordinator at Idaho Technical Career Academy. A veteran educator and entrepreneur with more than two decades of experience, he is focused on expanding virtual CTE pathways and preparing students for college, careers and life after high school.