By Tara Grosso
At Hull High School in Hull, Massachusetts, our small size presents both strengths and challenges. With fewer than 300 students and about 40 teachers, offering a broad and challenging curriculum can be difficult. Fewer students often means fewer specialized instructors, which can limit course choice and students’ ability to pursue advanced or niche subjects. To overcome these constraints, we have relied on high-quality online learning to expand academic options and enrich student opportunities.
For more than a decade we have partnered with VHS Learning. I began as the library media specialist, and after my first year the principal chose to collaborate with the nonprofit to support our students’ academic needs. We started by using online courses for credit recovery, then added electives and advanced classes. Today we purchase 25 student enrollments and also receive an additional 10 free seats through the STEM Advanced Placement (AP) Access Expansion Opportunity (SAPAO), a Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education initiative funded by grant support to expand access to AP STEM courses. SAPAO provides access to AP offerings such as AP Computer Science Principles, AP Physics C, AP Calculus BC, and other advanced STEM options.
A particular strength of our online partner is its commitment to computer science education. As generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini reshape how people work and learn, the demand for computer science and IT skills continues to rise. Careers in programming, data analysis, systems design, cybersecurity, and tech support are growing rapidly, and preparing students for these opportunities is a priority. While only about 53 percent of U.S. high schools currently offer computer science courses, our students have access to them through online learning.
Beyond computer science, the online catalog includes one of the largest College Board–approved AP course catalogs available. Students at our school consistently do very well in these AP classes. During the 2022–2023 academic year, the average course completion rate for VHS Learning—defined as students who completed their courses and earned a score of 60 or higher—was 91 percent. Many of our students exceed global pass rates in AP coursework, reflecting strong outcomes from well-structured online instruction.
In a small school environment, it’s common not to have enough students to justify offering every AP subject or a qualified teacher for every advanced course. Online learning fills that gap. Motivated students who want to pursue subjects like AP Statistics, AP Biology, or AP Psychology can add these courses to their schedules. Last year a student planning to become a pharmacist completed both AP Statistics and AP Chemistry through our online program.
The variety of electives available online also broadens students’ experiences. Located on a peninsula, our students especially appreciate courses like Oceanography, which connect directly to our coastal setting. Recently offered courses such as Psychology of Crime and Business Law provided new, engaging options that wouldn’t have been possible in our traditional classroom setup. The online platform allows students to explore subjects that spark curiosity and help them discover new interests.
We encourage all students to try online learning. Taking an online class gives students from a small school the chance to learn alongside peers from across the country and around the world, building global awareness and collaborative skills. Even students who are unsure about online learning often find it rewarding when they give it a fair chance. This year we began offering American Sign Language (ASL) for the first time and also introduced a career-discovery course titled “Who Do I Want to Be When I Grow Up?” Both courses help students explore options and plan for the future. I still keep in touch with two students who took the career course several years ago and have benefited from that early exploration.
Success in online courses demands organization and self-motivation. Students learn to manage deadlines, communicate with instructors, and take responsibility for their progress—skills that serve them well in college and careers. When students fall behind, we coach them to advocate for themselves and reach out to online teachers for support so they can regain momentum.
Online learning also teaches time management and allows students to sample a wide range of subjects—more than 200 courses are available—so those unsure of their future path can try different areas without heavy pressure. Many courses function as electives, providing a low-risk way to test interests and build foundational knowledge.
This year two of our 52 graduates were accepted to Harvard University; both took AP courses online. One had been enrolled in online classes since her sophomore year and recently completed AP Statistics and AP European History. We are extremely proud of their accomplishments and of the entire graduating class.
Online learning gives our students access to a secure, well-supported academic environment where they can pursue advanced and specialized subjects, challenge themselves, and connect with a diverse community of learners. For a small school like ours, it’s an essential tool that expands possibilities and prepares students for college, careers, and life beyond Hull.
About the author
Tara Grosso is the Library Media Specialist and VHS Learning site coordinator at Hull High School in Hull, Mass.