Balancing Online AP Courses with Extracurriculars: A Student Guide

January 14, 2026

Academically strong students in traditional brick and mortar high schools have always looked for ways to juggle their favorite extracurricular activities with their desire to succeed in top level academics, including their Advanced Placement classes. 

These students need ways to maximize their time outside the rigid structure of the school day, month, and year, to pursue pre-professional athletics, performing and studio arts, debate, chess, part-time employment, or volunteer passions. 

Often, the task is difficult at best, and ultimately, students discover they need to sacrifice either academic standing or time devoted to their top level extracurricular involvement. It becomes impossible to do both well.

Not so at Dwight Global Online School, the top ranked online high school in the United States.  Dwight Global students say the secret to accomplishing more than they dreamed possible can be directly related to their enrollment at Dwight Global. At Dwight Global, students have the flexibility to create their own schedule and can log on to classes from the road while traveling, touring, training, or competing. 

According to Victoria Morcombe ’27, a Dwight Global Online School Advanced Placement student and competitive equestrian based in Miami, adding the daily structure of a traditional school schedule on top of the many demands for equestrians seemed nearly impossible.

“At my previous school, I was gone every Friday to travel and compete, and it wasn’t working, even though I had A plus grades. I missed too much school.” 

At Dwight Global, Victoria said school leadership and faculty support, the strong school community, and scheduling flexibility allowed her to scale new heights both in the show ring and in her AP classrooms. 

Dwight Global also offers experienced, comprehensive college counseling for students beginning in Grade 9. The online school’s graduates are admitted to respected colleges and universities around the world. 

Victoria said Dwight Global’s support has been crucial on her path to college acceptance, too. Academically, Dwight Global permitted and even encouraged Victoria to take multiple AP math classes, a subject she excels in. Her former school would not allow her to do so.

The push is paying off for this young athlete juggling AP classes and a favorite extracurricular. Keeping on top of all the moving parts has been a challenge, but not an insurmountable one, according to Victoria and other Dwight Global students. 

The strategies that successful students use to stay organized are the same ones that traditional school students use. However, with an education freed from a fixed location, those strategies go further, and free up day and evening hours,  allowing students to achieve higher levels of academic study and accomplish more with their extracurricular obligations.

Some additional student tips and strategies for juggling AP classes with their extracurriculars include:

• Discover your learning style and use the knowledge in your planning.
• Get organized, set priorities, and find a routine that works for you.
• Communicate well in both speaking and writing.
• Reach out every day to faculty and classmates.
• Come to class prepared every day by reviewing the night before.
• Use breaks to recharge and enhance learning.
• Seek extra support easily and without hesitation.
• Use online and physical planners, online tools, AI-created study guides.
• Use AP online resources like practice tests.
• Eliminate distractions.
• Practice wellness, sleep hygiene, exercise, etc.

Students at Dwight Global also leverage the educational technology and applications the school extends for additional practice, join study groups to receive extra support throughout the semester, and seek tutoring. 

With the right plan, students can successfully complete their online AP courses, giving them an advanced edge over their peers preparing for college.

"At Dwight Global, we are proud to offer a robust Advanced Placement program to our learners, with expert faculty and support specifically for the online learning experience,” said Dwight Global’s Director of Curriculum and Instruction Renata Nikolayev. “We value equitable access to university-level coursework to help students prepare for their studies and continued success beyond our virtual classrooms."

Another Dwight Global equestrian, Quintessa Wolff ’27, agrees the faculty are a constant source of help. 

“In addition, the teachers are amazing to work with and are incredible in working with every individual situation I have, always open to meeting with me to go over anything I missed or anything I need extra help on,” said Tess, who lives in Texas. “Another benefit is the access to phenomenal tutors, which makes it so much easier when I have to miss class or am stuck on a difficult topic.”

Golfer Jordan Levitt ‘25, a Dwight Global Online School 2025 graduate now competing on the women’s golf team at Notre Dame University, owes her success to her online high school.

“At Dwight Global, I never felt like I was in the dark. I would communicate with my dean and teachers frequently to let them know of an absence. I would not have been able to compete at the highest level of golf while also getting a great education, if it weren't for Dwight Global.” 

To learn more about how Dwight Global Online School sets students up for success in the classroom and outside it, contact the Admissions Team.