Provost Academy, Colorado’s new online high school, is celebrating Earth Day by highlighting the top five ways online high school is greening the way high school students learn.

1. Reduced Energy Use – Did you know that on average, K-12 schools across the country spend more on energy costs for their building than textbooks and computers combined? According to the EPA, nearly 30% of that energy is wasted or used inefficiently. While the school-issued laptops at online schools consume some energy, it is not nearly the amount used at a traditional school.

2. Paperless – Each year the average American uses approximately one 100-foot tall Douglas fir tree in paper and wood products. At traditional schools worksheets, tests and textbooks make up a considerable part of the curriculum and over the course of a school year that paper waste can really start to add up. Nearly everything is administered through a computer at online schools. Even textbooks are virtual documents. Often, the only piece of paper received by an online student from the school is their high school diploma!

3. No Commuting – By attending school from the comfort and safety of the home, online school decreases the amount of fuel being consumed by families. U.S. cars contribute to half the world’s total CO₂ emissions. By removing two trips to a traditional school every day, online schools make a dent in the amount of greenhouse gases families are releasing into the atmosphere.

4. Less Waste – Considering the number of students and faculty who are at traditional schools, you can imagine the amount of waste can be significant. From school lunches to school supplies, and replacing equipment traditional schools create and dispose of on a daily basis. By not having a physical building, an online school considerably reduces the amount of waste produced.

5. Recycled Technology – Most online schools, like Provost Academy, issue laptop computers to every student. However, those laptops are returned to the school once the student has completed their coursework and are refurbished for the new class of students. This type of recycle and reuse mentality helps minimize the imprint online high schools are leaving on the planet.

When it comes to helping the environment, small changes by individuals can make a difference; even when it comes to choosing a school. Online schools make smaller impacts on the environment by using fewer resources overall. Students at online high schools in Colorado are benefitting not only from an education that is customized for them, but have the added benefit of attending a school that is leaving less of an impact on the environment.

As a new state-authorized public online school, Provost Academy Colorado is free of charge to residents of Colorado. Students work toward their regular public high school diploma – recognized by colleges and employers – as they would in a traditional school, but in the convenient, safe environment of their own home through computer-based educational programs.

Provost Academy Colorado offers more than 100 highly engaging online classes, including A.P. and honors courses with a particular emphasis on high demand subjects, such as science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The school also provides students free computers and internet access while they are enrolled in the school.

“Colorado high school students deserve alternative high-quality educational opportunities that get them to graduation, whether they are an overachieving student seeking a greater challenge, an underperforming student needing remediation or a student balancing school with work, sports, health or other of life’s challenges,” said Jeffrey Popiel, President & CEO of Geotech Environmental Equipment in Denver and chairman of the Provost Academy Colorado board. “Provost Academy’s pro-learning, pro-student, pro-success focus will help all of these students achieve their goals.”

In contrast to other online learning programs, Provost Academy Colorado uses a proprietary modular curriculum design, developed with Dr. Paul Kim, Assistant Dean of Stanford University’s School of Education. Courses can be customized to fit a student’s individual needs, with content based on testing and discussions with academic advisors and instructors. Further, parents and students can easily monitor learning progress, assignments, and grades at a glance on their own personal home page. For those needing additional help, Provost Academy also offers on-demand tutors that keep students on track and on pace for progress.

“Online learning goes beyond the computer and the internet connection to bring students, parents and educators together in a community that is focused to drive academic success,” said Jeff Wahl, President & CEO of EdisonLearning. “Our organization has been a leader in new and innovative approaches to learning, and we welcome the opportunity to provide parents a new choice for their children’s educational future at Provost Academy Colorado.”