FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

ISBerne Online is an American online school offering education from Kindergarten through Grade 12. Each course is taught by a qualified, experienced teacher and combines the flexibility of an online platform with live virtual teaching sessions. Students can select from eight cohort start dates per school year, with additional summer school options for High School students. We are accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) for all students worldwide.

1. How do students study online?

Students access the online platform, the Learning Management System (LMS), where they are assigned a teacher for each course, along with a Homeroom Teacher for Kindergarten through Grade 5 and an Academic Advisor for Grades 6-12. Both students and parents receive their own access credentials.

Students can access the curriculum 24/7 from any location with internet access. They will progress through the coursework according to the course calendar and have the option to attend regular Live Teaching sessions. The frequency of these sessions varies by course, but all are recorded for later viewing. Teachers also offer regular Live Help sessions.

Teachers and Academic Advisors work closely with students to ensure they stay on track with their coursework and receive full support.

Students submit assignments, quizzes, essays, and exams through the Learning Management System, with teachers grading and providing feedback within three school days of submission.

2. What is the role of the parent in studying from home?

Students studying from home need a parent (or another responsible adult) to act as the Learning Coach. The Learning Coach works with the homeroom and course teachers to facilitate progress through the daily lessons, adjusting the pace and schedule based on the student’s needs.

The Learning Coach helps the student stay on track, monitors attendance, and communicates with the online teachers. While parents or responsible adults serve as Learning Coaches, teachers remain involved to monitor progress, provide grades and feedback, ensure mastery, and create intervention plans when necessary.

Note: The infographic below provides details on the expected time commitment for both students and parents/Learning Coaches per day.

3. Do you provide students with a timetable?

Each school year is split into two semesters (90 school days each), with the end date depending on the student’s start date.

A calendar is provided within each course, and Live Teaching sessions are scheduled frequently. The session timings will be posted within each course, and recordings are available for students to replay. The course calendar helps students manage deadlines and stay on track, and we recommend using the agenda view to easily see all outstanding tasks.

4. What time do the live classes take place?

Live classes are scheduled according to UAE timings (GMT+4) during the week. If a student is unable to attend, all sessions are recorded and can be accessed through the link in the online classroom. We maintain small teacher-student ratios to ensure engagement, and students can reach out to their teacher directly via Google chat for additional support.

5. Will you send me textbooks?

All textbooks are digital and accessible through our online platform, with the exception of some AP textbooks. Some courses may require additional supplies, such as art materials or everyday household items.

6. How many hours are students required to study per day?

• Kindergarten to Grade 8: 4-6 hours per day, 5 days a week.
• Grade 9-12: Approximately 6 hours per day, 5 days a week.

7. Where are the exams held?

Assessments and exams are taken online, usually from home, with the date and time set in the course calendar. For grades 6-12, exams are secured with Respondus Lockdown Browser to prevent students from accessing other websites during the exam.

8. My child is enrolled in a British/IB/CBSE curriculum; can they enroll with ISBerne Online and transfer back to a different curriculum? 

Yes, students from any other curriculum can enroll with us. We provide an official report card and/or transcript, enabling students to transfer back to any other school, regardless of the curriculum.

9. Is the ISBerne Online report card and diploma valid abroad?

Yes, ISBerne Online is fully licensed and accredited, and our report cards and transcripts are recognized by schools internationally. We offer an American high school diploma that is accepted by universities worldwide. For more information on university acceptance, please visit our website’s dedicated page.

10. What subjects do you teach?

In Kindergarten through Grade 8, full-time students will take four core courses: English, Math, History, and Science, with the option to choose 2 electives. In Grade 9-12, we follow an American credit-based system, and students are required to take and pass six courses each year: English, Math, History, Science, and 2 electives, which include World Language studies. High school students must earn 24 credits to graduate. Please refer to our course catalog for further details. Specific courses may vary based on student location.