Our Most Popular Courses and Why Students Love Them

by | Jan 22, 2026

At VTVLC, we offer a wide variety of online courses designed to fit the needs, interests, and academic goals of Vermont students. Some courses, however, consistently rise to the top in terms of enrollment and student feedback. Whether students are looking to build essential life skills, get ahead, or simply fulfill graduation requirements on a flexible schedule, these four courses continue to stand out.

Here’s a closer look at our most popular courses and why students and families keep choosing them.

1. Intro to Online Learning

Why Students Love It: It’s the perfect warm-up for online learning success.

Whether you’re new to virtual classrooms or looking to sharpen your online learning skills, Intro to Online Learning is the ideal starting point. This course isn’t about diving into a heavy course topic: it’s about learning how to learn in an online environment. Students explore digital tools, learn about time management strategies, and master communicating effectively with teachers in a virtual space.

Perfect for:

  • Students brand new to online learning
  • Families who are unsure whether online courses are the right fit
  • High schoolers preparing for the switch to a fully online schedule

Plus, as a bonus, the skills introduced in this course extend far beyond the K-12 environment, as online learning becomes increasingly prevalent in college classrooms, career training, and other lifelong learning endeavors.

2. Algebra I

Why Students Love It: Real-world relevance and flexible pacing make it click.

Algebra I is often seen as one of the biggest academic milestones in middle and high school. At VTVLC, students love how this course brings math to life through real-world applications, from sports statistics and travel costs to business planning and health scenarios. The highly interactive course is designed to build confidence, not confusion.

With flexible enrollment options (Algebra I is available as both a learning enrollment course and a fall/spring course), students can pace their learning in a way that supports true mastery. For those using summer to catch up or get ahead, Algebra I is also a top choice for learning recovery.

Perfect for:

  • Students preparing for higher-level math
  • Learners who need more time with algebra concepts
  • Summer learners aiming to recover or accelerate credits

3. Life Management Skills

Why Students Love It: It’s all about real life—and themselves.

Life Management Skills covers the essential health and wellness topics that students actually want to understand. From stress management and nutrition to substance abuse prevention and sexual health, the course offers judgment-free, fact-based learning that empowers students to make informed decisions.

Health courses like this one are often tricky to schedule due to packed school calendars and extracurriculars. Taking Life Management Skills online makes it easier to fit graduation requirements into a busy schedule, and do so on your own time.

Perfect for:

  • Students who need to meet their health credit
  • Families looking for flexible scheduling
  • Learners who appreciate practical, real-world curriculum

4. Personal Finance

Why Students Love It: Financial literacy that lasts a lifetime.

From budgeting your first paycheck to managing loans and planning for your future, Personal Finance offers students a chance to develop the money skills they’ll use every day as adults. Students explore topics like taxes, saving, credit cards, investing, and more, all through realistic scenarios that mirror life after high school.

In a world where financial education is often overlooked, this course gives students a leg up on adulting. For that reason, it’s one of our most consistently praised courses.

Perfect for:

  • Students preparing for college, a career, or financial independence
  • Learners who want practical, hands-on content
  • Families who want their students to gain long-term money smarts

Flexible Scheduling for All Four Courses

All of these popular courses are offered in rolling enrollment formats, which means students can take them during the school year or start when the time is right for them. Rolling enrollment allows for extended pacing (up to 25 weeks), making them ideal for students who need extra time to master the material or have a busy schedule. Summer learners also love the freedom to work at their own pace.

At VTVLC, our most popular courses aren’t just filling graduation requirements—they’re building confidence, independence, and readiness for the future. Whether you’re looking for core academics, practical life skills, or a smoother path to graduation, these courses are a great place to start.

Ready to learn more or register?

Visit vtvlc.org/catalog to browse offerings, explore start dates, or talk with your school counselor about enrolling today.