By Samantha Schwartz ’16

Most high school students’ schedules are jam-packed, and it is always difficult to fit in required courses such as an art or STEM credit. Luckily, students have the opportunity to take one required credit online, Comprehensive Health Education, like I did.

For six weeks in February and March I took MCPS’ online version of the health course taught in school. This is a paid course, $310 with tuition assistance available, offered for six weeks in spring and fall or three weeks during the summer. The course requires students to meet in person with the teacher on the first day to set up their online account, learn about the course, understand how to turn in assignments, take tests and in the end, take a final exam.

I took online health because I did not have enough room in my course schedule to take the required health credit in school. Taking this course has been extremely convenient and easy. There are 10 topics, ranging from wellness and stress management to family life and human sexuality. My favorite topic was wellness because it talked about balancing all aspects of your life so that you could live a healthy and harmonized life. Most of the topics were very easy to complete because they just required basic background knowledge of health and healthy living. Each topic consists of educational presentations, practices, assignments, including worksheets and projects, and final tests. The assignments only add approximately three to four hours to a normal week’s homework. Each unit takes approximately four to six days to complete. At the end of the six weeks, the students are tested on each of the topics through a final exam, and then the course is complete and the required health credit has been finished. I ended the course with an 85% on the final and a 98.1% in the class.

Online health was easy, convenient and simple. The assignments and projects did not require a lot of effort and time. On top of their simplicity, they were also interesting, relevant and informative.

I know many students have busy schedules and do not have time to take all of their required courses or classes they are interested in. By taking Comprehensive Health Education online, students can conveniently lighten their schedules, ensure graduation on time and open up more opportunities for other classes.