Why Are More Students Opting for Freedom Learning?

More students at Denver Jewish Day School are turning to Freedom Learning, a flexible online program that allows them to take courses not typically offered on campus. Enrollment has grown almost 250 percent from seven students last year to 24 this year, reflecting both local interest and a broader national shift toward online education.

National data suggest that across the country, online learning in high schools has surged in popularity. A 2023 study by The Pew Charitable Trusts found that nearly “54 percent of students took at least one course online.” This number is up by more than 35 percent since 2019. 

Freedom Learning is coordinated by DJDS High School Dean Dr. Heidi Markensen, who said the program helps small schools expand academic opportunities without stretching faculty resources. “The purpose of it is to provide kids in schools like ours that are a little bit smaller, some more diverse, course opportunities than they might normally have access to,” she said. “At the time that [students] have a free period, there isn't a class that they're interested in taking.”

Advocates say such programs help bridge gaps for schools that can’t offer every AP or elective course in person. For DJDS, the motivation is similar. Students say the program allows them to learn in ways that feel more relevant and independent. 

The courses are self-paced but include interaction with certified teachers online. For many, that flexibility and the chance to explore unique subjects are part of the appeal.

Sophomore Levi Pfaff, who is taking Sports Medicine, said the change of setting helps him focus. “Freedom Learning is very applicable for everyone,” Pfaff said. “I am definitely learning differently.” 

However, junior Allison Cohen, who takes AP Biology through Freedom Learning, said she’s not a fan of the program’s format. “They just give you a lot of textbook work, and you’re not actually learning,” Cohen said. “The class environment is better in regular classes.”

Freedom Learning has also faced some challenges at DJDS. Because students complete their coursework independently, they often study in hallways or open spaces around the building — settings that can be noisy and distracting. Markensen said the school is exploring a dedicated room or quiet area for Freedom Learning participants to improve focus. 

While some students value the new options, others wish for a broader selection. Senior Jackson Brooks said he decided not to enroll because the offerings didn’t match his interests. “[Freedom Learning] didn’t have a wide enough variety of offerings to cover what I want,” he said. 

The program is funded by Colorado taxpayers through public, charter, and homeschool enrichment funds drawn from state, property, and vehicle registration taxes. 

For now, DJDS students say Freedom Learning gives them the freedom to shape their education around their interests and learning styles. Whether they use it to take advanced courses or simply to work at their own pace, most agree it offers something small schools don’t always have: options.