(BPT) - Are you considering enrolling your child in an online school? Virtual schooling has changed the educational landscape, offering students an innovative and somewhat customizable path to learning and exploration. This format of schooling also provides families with the ability to structure their days outside of traditional school constraints and broadens access to advanced courses and unique curriculums.

Of course, switching your student from a brick-and-mortar school to an online school is a big decision. To help you decide if online school is right for your family, check out these four benefits.

1. Unique and Advanced Learning Opportunities

For students seeking challenging coursework and specialized subjects, online schooling may be the best option. Instead of being tracked into a standard curriculum, they can explore advanced academic material or unique course offerings to reach their full potential. An online school can allow students to pursue academic interests that could not be served in a brick-and-mortar school. Course offerings in subjects such as advanced math, philosophy, college-level physics and time period-specific literature can grow your child's academic passions.

An institution like Stanford Online High School (OHS) serves as an entry point into educational exploration beyond a standard curriculum. Stanford OHS offers rigorous middle school and high school classes as well as 32 college-level courses to challenge students at every level.

2. Different Online School Formats

Online education is offered in a wide spectrum of formats, allowing for tailored learning experiences that suit various family needs. With the option for live or recorded classes, intimate discussion seminars or lectures with thousands of students, and short-term or yearlong classes, your family's needs will dictate which approach to online education fits you best - whether a structured application-based format or open online education.

Stanford OHS provides live, synchronous courses where students engage directly with their instructor and a small group of classmates via video and audio. This structured approach allows for active participation in class discussions and collaboration in small-group breakouts. At schools with live, synchronous class meetings like Stanford OHS, getting to know the instructor, making friends with other students, and completing group projects enrich the online class experience. The interactive nature of Stanford OHS supports real-time questions from students and feedback from instructors, building an exciting social community across grade levels, countries and cultures.

3. Global Community

Online schools draw students from all over the world. Your child will have the opportunity to interact with peers from diverse backgrounds and cultures, broadening their horizons and making friendships that can last a lifetime.

Stanford OHS prides itself on being a global community with students from 48 U.S. states and 45 countries around the world. Collaborative projects and seminar-style discussion classes give your child the opportunity to become a global citizen and see the world from viewpoints different from their own.

4. Enhanced Lifestyle Autonomy

In-person education can limit where your family lives, travels and spends time. A key benefit of online education is that it provides families with the freedom to choose where to live without disrupting their child's education. Whether you decide to move for better job opportunities, a change in climate or to live closer to extended family, online schooling allows your child to remain in the same school after a relocation. Your student can also maintain their schooling if they need to travel for a significant extracurricular activity such as a sport or artistic pursuit. Beyond academics, online schooling empowers families to pursue the possibilities beyond the constraints of traditional school hours.

Interested in exploring online schooling? Visit ohs.stanford.edu/take-tour to learn more.