With the end of the first quarter rapidly approaching, motivated students find themselves thriving in online classes at Arlington High School.

Online classes are offered in an array of core subjects at Arlington, and are set up through the APEX Learning system. They take place in C201, and are taught by Mr. Weber (1st period,) Ms. Keith (2nd and 3rd,) and Mr. Pedack (4th and 6th).

According to Mr. Pedack; who teaches online classes at AHS, and history and English at Weston, students take online classes for a variety of reasons. Students who are not successful originally, have a scheduling conflict, have failed numerous times, or have transferred from a different school all take online classes.

“(Online classes are) a way for students to receive credit and work independently,” said Pedack.

Because students work independently and are on computers for most of their coursework, motivation is crucial to doing well in these types of classes. Both Pedack and senior Kyren Tait empathized the importance of self-motivation.

“You can power through it very quickly,” said Tait. “It’s really something I could do on my own.”

Like with most things, there are both positives and negatives to taking online classes. You can work at your own pace and take time working on things that you may not understand, which is a bonus. However, because the pace that a student works at is up to them, students can sometimes fall behind.

“You can take two weeks or two years (to finish a class),” said Pedack. “Online class isn’t for everyone because you have to be self-motivated.”

Senior Emily Bisenius also discussed working at her own pace, and the challenges that accompany it.

“It’s hard for me to work independently,” said Bisenius. “It’s easier for me to work with others.”

Admittedly, online classes do offer more solidarity than traditional classes. Because students work mainly on their computers, there isn’t as much social interaction as there is in a traditional class. Still, students enjoy online classes, and appreciate the flexibility that they offer.

“I really enjoy Mr. Pedack’s (class),” said Tait.

Responsibility is truly placed in the hands of students in these classes. Students have to take control of their own academic interests in order to prosper and succeed in class.

“You really have got to want to do it,” said Bisenius. “Or else, you’re going to go nowhere.”