Global Online Academy
Walnut Hill is a member of Global Online Academy (GOA), a consortium of over 120 independent schools from around the world dedicated to creating and sharing high quality online courses.
GOA expands academic elective offerings for our students. All GOA courses are taken for credit, which is granted from Walnut Hill. GOA courses are usually taken in place of a regular academic or elective course that Walnut Hill does not currently offer. Each online class is limited to 20 students, and the courses are predominantly taught by the faculty at GOA member schools.
GOA courses emphasize engagement, interaction, and collaboration among students and faculty. These electives create opportunities for students to share their local and personal perspectives on global issues through stimulating discussions, ongoing feedback, and thought-provoking coursework. Throughout each 14 week course, we expect students to commit an average of 5-7 hours of study per week.
GOA is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
Walnut Hill Official Policies for Global Online Academy
To extend and enrich the Walnut Hill academic experience:
Walnut Hill seniors (and sophomores/juniors by permission) may enroll in a GOA elective that isn't offered on campus.
GOA courses count toward the requirement that students take a minimum of four academic courses in a year. Students may take no more than five courses at Walnut Hill each year. A GOA course may be taken in addition to these five, making six the maximum number of academic courses a student can take in a year.
GOA courses and course grades will appear on Walnut Hill’s official transcript, identified as GOA courses. GOA course grades will not be included in calculating student academic GPAs.
All classes contain both synchronous and asynchronous components, giving students the opportunity to connect in real time and also providing them with the flexibility to work when and how they like. Students considering GOA courses should be prepared to manage this flexibility and the requirements of a GOA course on their own, while also upholding all Walnut Hill obligations.
Enrollment and progress in GOA is managed at Walnut Hill by Erin Young, Associate Director of Educational Programs.
Global Online Academy imagines a future where all students acquire and practice modern learning skills to be global citizens.
GOA's mission is to reimagine learning to empower students and educators to thrive in a globally networked society.