5 Tips for Making the Most of Remote Learning
Remote learning at Xceed Preparatory Academy pairs daily teacher access with flexible, accredited coursework so your child can thrive academically while developing independence. As a Cognia-accredited program that blends in-person support with online coursework, we give each student the guidance and accountability they need to succeed. Every campus follows clear pacing expectations and mandatory check-ins – your child is always a name, not a number.
Quote from one of our Coral Springs parents: “My sons are finally happy to log in each day – Xceed feels like home.”
Small, family-style campuses make it easy for teachers to get to know each learner, and many families say their teens “feel more seen, heard, and engaged” after switching from larger schools. These remote learning tips will help you guide your child to success, whether they are a full-time remote learner or balancing on-campus and at-home study time.
Tip #1. Design a Purpose-Built Study Space
The right setup matters for focus, posture, and motivation. It’s best to place a desk and chair in a quiet area away from the television or bed. This separation from lounging spaces cues your child’s brain for learning and helps prevent slouching, which, as Coral Springs’ Head of School notes, can improve confidence during virtual class discussions. Good lighting, room for a computer, and space for note-taking are also essential.
Consider mirroring the look of Xceed’s campuses by building a “mini campus” at home with bright café lighting and organized workspaces. Doing so is a great wat to signal “school mode” at home. One student, Yossi, once bullied in traditional school, built a cozy study corner at home and now confidently leads Logic League presentations during remote instruction.
Tip #2. Plan, Prioritize & Time-Block
Help your child stay on pace with a remote learning schedule that incorporates both academics and breaks. At Xceed, teachers review each student’s personalized learning plan every Monday to set weekly goals. As our Weston HOS has pointed out, most learners spend 4–5 focused hours on campus and finish homework before leaving.
Your child can use a digital calendar or planner to log every assignment and break larger projects into smaller steps. For example, if a paper is due in two weeks, schedule specific days for research, writing, and editing.
Here’s a sample structure inspired by our campus routine:
- 8:30–9:00 a.m. – Review dashboard, check for new assignments
- 9:00–10:30 a.m. – Focus block (Math/Science)
- 10:30–10:45 a.m. – Short break
- 10:45–12:15 p.m. – Focus block (English/Social Studies)
- 12:15–1:00 p.m. – Lunch
- 1:00–2:00 p.m. – Project work / collaborative virtual learning session
- 2:00–2:15 p.m. – Short break
- 2:15–3:00 p.m. – Review and prepare for the next day
This approach helped one of our actor-students keep pace with his coursework while filming out of state for several weeks – proof that granular pacing works.
Tip #3. Limit Digital Distractions (and Why It Matters)
Phones, games, and non-school websites can derail even the most motivated learner. Encourage your child to use “Do Not Disturb” settings and store their phone out of reach during study times.
Tip #4. Build a Consistent – but Flexible – Routine
A predictable daily rhythm supports focus, but flexibility allows you to adapt to your child’s needs. For early risers, starting by 7:00 a.m. can free up afternoons for sports or activities. Many athletes at Xceed follow this model, finishing schoolwork by noon before heading to training. Others may benefit from a mid-morning start, especially students managing anxiety. At Coral Springs, one learner named Catalina thrived with 90-minute work blocks and movement breaks, reducing her stress and nausea.
Pros of Early Start: More daylight hours for extracurriculars; aligns with traditional schedules.
Cons of Early Start: Fatiguing for night-oriented teens.
Pros of Later Start: Supports rest and well-being.
Cons of Later Start: Pushes assignments later in the day.
Tip #5. Review Progress & Seek Feedback Early
Make progress checks part of your weekly routine. Review your child’s grades, teacher notes, and assignment list together.
Students at Xceed Preparatory Academy benefit from an educational model that regularly uses technology and online assignments for flexible, interactive learning in addition to in-person teacher guidance and instruction at each of their locations. This model, along with the capability to have video chats with teachers for one-on-one guidance, allows Xceed students to learn from home when needed. While working from home is appealing and has many advantages, there are steps both students and parents can take to make sure the transition to full-time online learning is successful. Focus on these five tips to make the most of remote learning.
Create a Designated Study Space
Put a desk or table in a relatively quiet area, away from the television and family gathering spaces. Encourage your child to avoid studying on the sofa or bed — not only does it lead to less focus, but it can also result in hunched shoulders, bad posture, and neck pain. Be sure your space has good lighting and enough room for a computer as well as room to write and take notes.
Get Organized
Have your child use a planner and note the dates for all tests, projects, and assignments. If needed, help them figure out how to break up the work into manageable steps. For example, if they have a paper due in two weeks, schedule a little bit of time each day for research, writing, and editing. Students may want to make a daily to-do list to stay on top of deadlines for each subject.
Limit Digital Distractions
It’s tempting for teens to play a game or text friends while they should be focusing on an online class or assignment. To help avoid this, have them put their phone on Do Not Disturb and put it away. Also, they should avoid opening tabs online that aren’t school-related. It’s far too easy for that 5-minute internet browsing break to turn into 45 minutes of wasted time.
Establish a Routine
If your child doesn’t have a designated time to be online for a class, help them set a daily start time for schoolwork. They should take short breaks between classes and assignments. It’s best if those breaks happen away from the computer. Stretching, walking in the backyard, or getting a snack can help them stay energized and give their eyes a rest from the computer screen.
Encourage your child to make progress in each class every day. They should check online to see if teachers have posted new assignments or notes for the class and complete the tasks on the to-do list they have created. Putting work off until the last minute can result in falling behind, and it can be hard to catch up once they are off track.
Regularly Review Progress with Your Child
Check in with your child on a regular basis. Review grades, teacher feedback, and upcoming assignments online with your child.
Parents should also go beyond just the checklist of assignments. Ask your child about what they are learning. Can they share an overview of the book they are reading for literature class, a new concept they learned in science, a fascinating piece of history, or how they completed a STEM activity? You may be surprised at what your child can teach you and enjoy discovering more about their interests.
How Online Learning with In-Person Support Teaches Independence
Students who learn through an online model develop strong time management skills and gain the independence needed to rely less on adults. Learning how to take responsibility for your own schedule and workload is valuable in both college and the workplace. Xceed graduates are self-motivated, tech-savvy, and equipped to reach their full potential in college because Xceed has in-person learning mixed with an online curriculum like most colleges and universities.
Learn More About Xceed’s Educational Model
If you’re exploring a new middle school or high school learning model for your child, we invite you to learn more about how Xceed Preparatory Academy helps students thrive. In addition to online learning, each student works with their teachers in-person at an Xceed location. Each Xceed student has a Personalized Learning Plan designed to help them reach individual goals. Xceed’s campuses are located throughout Florida in Coral Springs, Kendall, Weston and Daytona Beach. our Xceed Guide for Parents and Students to discover why students and parents choose Xceed.