Global Online Academy

ABOUT GLOBAL ONLINE ACADEMY

North Shore Country Day School is a proud member of Global Online Academy (GOA), a distinguished consortium of independent schools worldwide. GOA reimagines education, empowering high school students and educators to thrive in a globally interconnected world.

Through GOA, leading educators from around the globe design rigorous online learning experiences. These courses focus on cultivating meaningful relationships by connecting students with peers and mentors across cultures, exploring diverse global perspectives by examining complex world issues from multiple viewpoints and fostering a lifelong love of learning by equipping students with essential 21st-century skills and a growth mindset.

GOA courses enhance North Shore's academic offerings by providing a unique and innovative learning environment where students experience a different approach to education, access to a global network of educators, as courses are taught by expert teachers from member schools, and flexibility and independence, since asynchronous learning allows students to learn at their own pace and manage their time effectively.

By participating in GOA, North Shore Country Day School empowers its students to become global citizens, critical thinkers, and successful learners in an ever-changing world.

HOW IT WORKS

A Global Online Academy (GOA) course typically requires students to dedicate 5-7 hours per week. This time includes logging into the online platform 5-7 times to engage with instructors and classmates. GOA provides a structured framework with teacher-designed coursework and calendars, allowing students flexibility in managing their individual study schedules. All assignments and assessments are submitted and evaluated within GOA's Learning Management System (LMS).

Beyond the LMS, students maintain regular communication with teachers and peers through various tools such as email, chat, and video conferencing. Weekly or bi-weekly synchronous video sessions with instructors and classmates are a standard component of the course. GOA course sections are capped at 20 students to ensure personalized attention and effective collaboration.

GOA AT NSCD

Course Structure: GOA courses are traditional academic classes designed to complement a full course load at NSCD. Students should anticipate dedicating 5-7 hours of study time per week to these courses.

Academic Credit: Students earn NSCD credit for completed GOA courses. Course grades are factored into the student's NSCD GPA. This includes GOA summer courses that are designated in their course descriptions as the equivalent of a full-year course.

Tuition: NSCD covers the full tuition cost for enrolled students during the (August-May) school year. NSCD does not cover the cost of tuition for GOA Summer Courses.

Scheduling: GOA course schedules generally align with the NSCD academic calendar. If a GOA class meets during an NSCD break, students are expected to adhere to the GOA course schedule. GOA courses will not appear on a student's regular school day A-G schedule. Students are expected to plan for and manage coursework on their own.

Transcript Notation: GOA courses appear on the NSCD transcript as "[GOA] [Course Name]."

Graduation Requirements: GOA courses are electives and do not fulfill any required graduation courses at NSCD.

Enrollment Limits: North Shore students may enroll in a maximum of one GOA course per semester. Students must apply for permission to participate in the GOA program.

OVERVIEW OF THE NSCD - GOA PARTNERSHIP

North Shore Country Day School partners with Global Online Academy (GOA) to augment our Course of Study and extend learning opportunities for students. This section is intended to serve as an overview of North Shore's academic policies regarding student enrollment in a GOA course. The required student application to enroll in a GOA course is linked below.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR ENROLLMENT IN A GOA COURSE?

Students in grades 9-12 may apply to enroll in any of the computer science courses offered through GOA. All other GOA courses are restricted to juniors and seniors.

WHEN ARE APPLICATIONS DUE FOR A GOA COURSE?

Applications for semester courses are due June 30 (before the intended school year starts).

GLOBAL ONLINE ACADEMY LINKS

Questions? Please visit GOA's FAQ page or contact the Head of Upper School.