Supporting Students with Chronic Health Conditions: How Pacific Preparatory Offers Flexible Solutions
Students with chronic health conditions face unique obstacles in typical classroom environments and while brick-and-mortar schools often try to accommodate these students, traditional schedules and routines can still be difficult to navigate. Pacific Preparatory holistically supports students with chronic health issues, as we are uniquely positioned to offer the flexibility and high level of support and accommodation.
For children and adolescents with chronic health conditions—ranging from migraines and autoimmune disorders to asthma and cancer—managing daily life can be challenging. According to the CDC, about 40% of adolescents live with a chronic health condition, which can affect their ability to attend and perform well in school.
The Challenge of Chronic Health Conditions in Traditional Schools
Students with chronic health conditions face unique obstacles in typical classroom environments. Symptoms like physical discomfort, fatigue, and frequent medical appointments can lead gaps in learning and absenteeism, at no fault of the student.. While brick-and-mortar schools often try to accommodate these students, traditional schedules and routines can still be difficult to navigate.
Over the years our team at Pacific Preparatory has supported students navigating these health issues, as we are uniquely positioned to offer the flexibility and high level of support and accommodation.
How Pacific Preparatory Supports Students with Chronic Health Conditions
In a nutshell, we offer personalized, flexible education that adapts to each student’s needs. Our model allows students to learn at their own pace, with a schedule that works around their health needs. We collaborate with families and all professionals on their team to design a program that supports both academic and health goals. Choosing between one or the other is not something our families need to navigate.
Hybrid Solutions for Continued Learning
We can partner with brick-and-mortar schools to create hybrid learning options. Students who want to stay connected with their local school can take part-time courses with us, allowing them to manage their health more effectively. This means they can attend in-person classes at a reduced level, and complement their instruction with PacPrep when they need to be at home. While our most common part-time subjects are math and language, we can arrange any course to fit the student’s needs.
Full-Time Instruction During Recovery
For students undergoing treatment or those battling more severe symptoms, Pacific Preparatory can provide full-time virtual instruction. Our flexible curriculum and 1:1 teaching approach help students stay on track, whether they need to catch up on missed work or focus on subjects they enjoy. Lessons can be scheduled around their medical appointments, peak energy times, and/or rest periods, ensuring they don’t fall behind. Furthermore, our instructors are trained to support their students holistically, providing their students daily guidance with managing their schedule, listening to their bodies, and navigating conflicting priorities.
Why Flexibility Matters for Students with Chronic Health Conditions
Research shows that children with chronic health conditions benefit from flexible, supportive learning environments. According to a study in Pediatrics, these students are at a higher risk of academic underachievement due to absences and emotional stress. However, with appropriate support, they can thrive academically.
Our goal at Pacific Preparatory is to make learning accessible, so no student has to compromise their education because of their health. By offering flexible, hybrid, and full-time options, we create an environment where students can succeed at their own pace.
Partnering for Success
We work with families, healthcare providers, and schools to create the best educational plans for students dealing with chronic health conditions. If you know a student who could benefit from a more flexible learning environment, or if you’re a school looking for hybrid solutions, we’re here to help.
Following recommendations from organizations such as the U.S. Pain Foundation allows us to stay informed on supporting students navigating these types of conditions. We also collaborate with experienced professionals, including Dr. Dina Karvounides, a psychologist who specializes in supporting adolescents and young adults with chronic pain and other chronic illnesses. Dr. Karvounides brings extensive experience in helping young people navigate the emotional, social and physical challenges that often accompany chronic health conditions. You can learn more about her approach at drdinakarvounides.com.