Global Online Academy (GOA)
Global Online Academy (GOA) offers an innovative selection of online courses that serve to enhance and expand the on-campus curricula of the over 70 outstanding independent schools that comprise the GOA member consortium.
Germantown Friends School is a founding member of GOA and is now joined by schools around the world, including Sidwell Friends School, The American School in Japan, the International School of Beijing, the Dalton School, and King’s Academy in Jordan.
Who can take GOA courses?
GOA courses are open to students who are enrolled in the consortium of independent schools.
Who are the GOA teachers?
The GOA teachers are all teachers at independent schools from around the world. They are accustomed to independent school life and seek to replicate their bricks and mortar course materials in the online format.
What kinds of courses are offered?
GOA offers a range of options, which vary in length from single semester to year-long courses. Subjects include art, media, and design; GOA learning studios; mathematics and technology; science and health; and social sciences.
Guiding Principles in GOA Courses include:
• Collaborate with people who don’t share your location
• Communicate and empathize with people who have different perspectives
• Curate and create content relevant to real-world issues
• Reflect on and take responsibility for your learning and that of others
• Organize your time and tasks to learn indepedently
• Leverage digital tools to support and show your learning
Do students get credit for GOA courses?
GOA courses count as major courses and are represented on a student’s transcript and college materials. Colleges recognize and value the GOA program.
Is there on-campus support for students who are enrolled in GOA courses?
Global Online Academy classes are scheduled alongside a student’s other academic courses and our students meet weekly with the GFS Global Online Academy Site Director, Aaron Preetam, to check in, assess course progress, and troubleshoot any issues or concerns that may arise.
What are the benefits of participating in GOA?
Among the many benefits of enrolling in a GOA course, GFS students have the chance to study a course of interest with a faculty who has deep knowledge of the content, the chance to collaborate with independent school students from around the world, and the chance to utilize innovative learning strategies presented in the course work.
Is there a fee for GOA courses or are they covered by annual tuition and fees?
There is an annual fee of $100 per course for enrolling in a GOA course.
Where can I find more information about the GOA course offerings?
Please see the current GOA course catalogue.