Academics

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Barstow Global Online offers a challenging and innovative education that fits the way students learn today and into the future.

Our online model is based on the rigorous curriculum of The Barstow School, an accredited, independent school for students in preschool-grade 12 in Kansas City, Missouri. We limit class sizes to a maximum of 20 students (many classes are even smaller) and faculty members teach only 2 or 3 sections per semester so they can give individualized attention to every student.

Single course enrollment allows students in grades 6–12 to replace or expand offerings from their traditional schools.

Students in kindergarten through grade 5 can review previous material or take courses that enrich, complement or accelerate studies at their school of record. Students in grades 9–12 receive a transcript of earned credits. Students in kindergarten–grade 8 receive a course completion certificate. All students receive an annual grade report, including teacher comments.

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Full-time Enrollment

Full-time students choose where, when and how they want to learn and BGO provides the rest: challenging courses, individualized support and connection to a diverse community of learners.

Full-time students can expect to spend about seven hours a day, five days a week, to attend courses and complete associated work. The amount of time varies because classes are self-paced; that's one of the benefits of online learning. Lower and middle school students take language arts, math, science, social studies and PE. Full-time upper school students usually schedule of four to six classes per semester.

Upper School (Grades 9–12)

Challenging college prep and career-readiness courses lead students confidently toward their future. Core academics meet high standards of scholarship and include robust offerings in English, math, science, history and world languages. BGO students can also select AP® courses, choose from a variety of engaging electives or even request a new class or course of study.

List of 1 frequently asked questions.

Upper School Sample Course of Study
Barstow Global Online promises a flexible path to graduation. Courses of study will vary for each student. BGO requires a minimum of 25 credits for graduation. A sample curriculum could include, but is not limited to, these courses:
- English – 4 credits, one per academic year.
- Mathematics – 4 credits, one per academic year.
- Science – 3 credits, including Biology, Physical Science and one additional course.
- History & Social Science – 3 credits, including Ancient World History, World or Modern History and U.S. History.
- World Language – 3 credits; choices include Chinese, French and Spanish.
- The Arts – 2 credits.
- Physical Education – 1 credit.
- Electives – 5 credits. Students may choose from dozens of diverse and specialized courses in language arts, mathematics, physical science, computer science, STEAM, humanities, history, fine and performing arts, and global studies. If it’s not offered in our course catalog, we’ll help you create a course that suits your interests.

Middle School (Grades 6–8)

Middle school instruction meets the unique educational and developmental needs of students in grades six through eight. The curriculum promotes the transition from concrete operations to more complex thinking processes in a supportive academic environment.

List of 1 frequently asked questions.

Middle School Sample Course of Study
- English – Required for students in grades 6-8, English courses develop a student’s reading comprehension, public speaking, listening and analytical skills. Students read a diverse selection of expository, persuasive, narrative and descriptive writing. Classic and contemporary fiction, plays and poetry, historical works and biographies increase reading comprehension, vocabulary and active reading strategies.
- Mathematics – Middle school students study pre-algebra, algebra, trigonometry and geometry, with opportunities for advanced study at the upper school level. Emphasis is placed on problem solving, understanding mathematical language and mastering concepts.
- Science – Middle school science courses include physical science, life science and earth science.
- Geography & Cultures – Students study diverse cultures, climates and continents while developing empathy, global understanding and collaborative skills.
- World Language – Offerings include English as a second language, French and Spanish.
- Electives – Students have choices depending on grade level and schedule that include two-dimensional art, choral music, engineering design and debate.

Lower School (Kindergarten–Grade 5)

Beginning in kindergarten and building with each grade level, Barstow Global Online's curriculum feeds your child’s curiosity by turning “what if” moments into “what’s next” opportunities.

STEAM principles — science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics — applied in every subject help students develop critical thinking, collaboration, communication and creativity.

List of 1 frequently asked questions.

Lower School Sample Course of Study
- Language Arts – Beginning in kindergarten and building through grade 5, students become avid readers and confident, creative writers. After mastering letter recognition, phonics, decoding, blending and fluency, students progress to literary exploration and content understanding and analysis. They learn how to structure essays and research papers and they use their creativity to pen their own poetry and stories. During lower school, students develop their unique and personal voice, and discover new voices through a love of literature.
- Mathematics – The foundation of math success is based on having a clear understanding of number sense. That begins with number patterns, comparison and calculations in kindergarten and builds toward understanding of decimals, fractions, percentages, prealgebra and higher level problem solving through grade 5.
- Science – Students explore the world around them with engaging experiments and activities. They begin with the basics of observation and scientific methods, and add higher order thinking, hypothesis and data analysis as they progress through grade levels. Design thinking, engineering and physics are part of the lower school curriculum, developing research and analytical skills necessary for middle and upper school success.
- Social Studies – Curriculum begins with learning about the community close to home and around the globe, and includes geography, cultures and world languages. Students explore the environment and take part in character education that includes personal responsibility, respect, honesty, fairness and leadership. A lower school student studies global migration, U.S. history, states and capitals, government, citizenship, and economics through active and engaging activities. They apply this knowledge in more specialized social studies and history courses in middle and upper school.