Top 5 Tips for Success from Keystone Families
Discover the Top 5 Keys to Success from Keystone Families, filled with real-world tips from experienced online learners. From time management and organization to using school resources and asking for help, these insights will help your student start strong and stay confident all year long.
As you get ready for a new school year—and potentially a new routine—there is no better resource than the families who have already been there with Keystone. Through trial and error, they’ve learned what works—and what doesn’t.
Here are the top five tips from veteran Keystone families on how you and your student can thrive:
Break assignments into smaller chunks that are manageable.
Big projects or units can feel overwhelming, especially for new online learners. Families recommend breaking assignments into smaller, daily pieces. This not only keeps students from feeling overloaded but also helps them build momentum and confidence.
Keystone Resource Tie-In: The Keystone learning platform provides a course calendar, pacing guide, and progress tracking tools to help students plan out work into manageable portions. Encourage your student to check these tools regularly so they stay on track without stress.
Read ALL the orientation material.
It can be tempting to skim or skip the orientation, but our returning families stress the importance of going through it carefully. Orientation offers a helpful introduction to the online platform, its tools, and course expectations. Students who take it seriously often transition more smoothly and avoid frustration later.
Keystone Resource Tie-In: Keystone’s Student Orientation Course is designed to guide students step-by-step, introducing them to how online classes work, where to find assignments, and how to connect with teachers. Completing this early helps students feel prepared and confident.
Review the rubric before submitting assignments.
Rubrics are more than grading tools—they’re roadmaps. Families find that reading the rubric before turning in an assignment helps to ensure all required elements are included, which leads to stronger grades and less back-and-forth with teachers.
Keystone Resource Tie-In: Rubrics are included with every graded assignment in Keystone courses. Students can also reach out to teachers through Teacher Link (available 9 a.m.–5 p.m. EST, Monday–Friday) if they need clarification on expectations.
Make a schedule—and stick to it!
Sticking to a consistent schedule is one of the most important keys to success. It might take trial and error to find the right rhythm, but once a system is in place, it helps students stay organized and motivated. Periodically revisit your family’s goals to make sure the schedule is still realistic and sustainable.
Keystone Resource Tie-In: Students can work with Student Success Advisors and the Guidance Department to develop a schedule tailored to their academic and personal goals. These advisors can also help students build time management strategies and adjust plans when challenges arise.
Don’t be afraid to reach out for help.
Families emphasize that Keystone students are never alone. There are multiple layers of support ready to step in whenever a question or concern arises.
Keystone Resource Tie-In:
- Teacher Link: Available weekdays for each core subject, giving students direct access to teachers for content-specific help.
- Student Success Advisors: Available at studentsuccess@keystonehighschool.com to help with pacing, scheduling, or getting back on track.
- Technical Support: Help Desk assistance is available if students run into issues navigating the online platform.
- Guidance Services: Counselors provide academic, career, and college planning support for students in grades 9–12.
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As one Keystone family put it, “The best advice is to ask questions early and often—there’s always someone ready to help.”