The digital world has grown rapidly over the last decade, and now millions of students are utilizing online education options. Technology has made it possible to learn anything from anywhere, but human connection seems to be getting lost in translation. While digital classrooms offer convenience and flexibility for families, authentic relationships are still the heart of impactful education. That’s why providers like Excelsior Classes focus on more than just education; they focus on community.
Decades of educational research confirm that students learn best when they feel seen, supported, and valued. According to a study published by the American Psychological Association, students who experience positive teacher-student relationships demonstrate stronger academic motivation and higher achievement.
Human connection fosters trust, engagement, and accountability, which are all pillars of education that are difficult to replicate through pre-recorded or self-paced programs. That’s why Excelsior Classes prioritizes live, instructor-led online classes, where students interact with each other in real time, ask questions to expert instructors, and build meaningful relationships with their teachers and peers.
The rise of digital education has created a divide between asynchronous learning and live instruction. While self-paced courses can be more convenient and generally allow families with more flexibility, they typically lack the engagement that keeps students motivated to excel.
A report by Educause found that students in live virtual classrooms report higher satisfaction and retention rates than those in fully asynchronous programs. In other words, when students are able to connect with real teachers in real time, asking questions and feeling like part of a class, learning becomes more personal, and personal learning sticks.
At Excelsior Classes, students don’t just log in to watch a lecture. They attend weekly live sessions through Zoom, participate in class discussions with their classmates, and form friendships across the country and even around the world through a Christ-centered learning environment that emphasizes both academic and spiritual growth.
Online education can feel isolating, but it doesn’t have to. For Christian homeschool families, it is crucial for genuine connection to extend beyond academics, as homeschooling is not just about education; it’s also about faith and fellowship.
Excelsior Classes believes that all learning should be rooted in Christian truth. Every class begins with prayer and is taught through a biblical worldview by instructors who model grace, empathy, and intellectual curiosity to their students. Students are encouraged to engage in respectful discourse, think critically, and support one another, which fosters a strong community that goes far beyond the virtual classroom.
According to an article by the Harvard Graduate School of Education, strong peer relationships significantly improve students’ self-esteem, resilience, and academic persistence. When students collaborate and communicate, even virtually, they build and strengthen necessary skills like teamwork, empathy, and communication that will serve them for life.
While many people are quick to assume that online learning is an isolating experience, Excelsior Classes proves the opposite. Students are invited to join clubs, participate in activities, and attend social gatherings throughout the school year that create a sense of belonging and friendship. From writing clubs and Spanish honor societies to 24-hour Zoom extravaganzas, Excelsior truly goes above and beyond to provide their students with social opportunities.
Excelsior Classes provides courses with a live, instructor-led approach. These are not pre-recorded videos or automated lessons, as each class is led by passionate, qualified Christian educators who carefully guide students through discussion-based learning and real-time collaboration with other students.
This format allows students to ask their questions, receive immediate feedback, and develop critical thinking skills through meaningful conversations with their classmates. For families looking for both academic rigor and spiritual formation, Excelsior’s approach offers the best of both worlds through real teachers, real faith, and real connection.
In a time where AI, algorithms, and automation dominate the educational landscape, human connection has never been more valuable. Excelsior Classes is a reminder that technology should never replace relationships; it should enhance them. By prioritizing live, instructor-led, Christian education, Excelsior bridges the gap between innovation and intimacy by proving that connection is still the most important part of learning.
Virtual classrooms might be here to stay, but the most effective ones are those that keep humanity at their core. At Excelsior Classes, education is not a transaction; it’s a relationship-driven experience where students grow in wisdom, knowledge, and faith together.
With live, instructor-led courses, Christ-centered teaching, and a vibrant community, Excelsior is proof that online learning can be both deeply personal and powerfully transformative. To see how education based in human connection thrives at Excelsior Classes, visit ExcelsiorClasses.com.
The thoughts and opinions expressed are those of the author and should not be taken to represent the views of Excelsior Classes, LLC or the consortium of teachers.
