HKIS is a member of the Global Online Academy (GOA), a consortium of independent schools around the world with the goal of offering online courses that are as intellectually rigorous and engaging as their on-campus courses. GOA is dedicated to utilizing approaches to learning aligned with current research in best practice, including collaboration, networking, and online skill development. Teachers for GOA courses come from the member schools, and undergo training in order to adapt their practice to this new environment. Membership in the Global Online Academy gives HKIS students increased opportunity to pursue their passions, or to explore potential areas of interest. Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors may register for online courses with the recommendation of faculty, who can vouch for the self-direction, motivation, and responsibility necessary to pursue online learning. Students who successfully enroll in and complete GOA courses earn credit that will be reported on the HKIS transcript, and HKIS academic policies will apply to these courses. More current information on the Global Online Academy offerings can be found at https://globalonlineacademy.org/student-program/student-courses.
Note: Students who pursue a Pathway Certification from GOA learn deeply about their own interests, preparing them to declare a college major or explore careers they might want to pursue in the future. These students are further able to distinguish themselves and create opportunities for sharing their unique learning journey in the college admissions process. GOA’s eight pathways are: ART, MEDIA & DESIGN COMPUTER SCIENCE & ENGINEERING BUSINESS, ECONOMICS & FINANCE GLOBAL STUDIES HEALTH SCIENCES JUSTICE, ETHICS & HUMAN RIGHTS MATHEMATICS & QUANTITATIVE REASONING PSYCHOLOGY & NEUROSCIENCE. You can find more details on their website. (https://globalonlineacademy.org/student-program/learning-pathway)
Each semester course costs approximately $750 USD. Families are billed by HKIS for semester courses and pay GOA directly for summer courses.
Interested students can check out these two-minute student-made videos that highlight some of the courses.