How Synchronous Companies Like Elevate K-12 and Proximity Master Virtual Learning

School districts across the United States continue to tackle the ongoing teacher shortage that leaves tens of thousands of vacant positions unfilled in the most recent school year. The Teacher Shortage report reveals that there are currently 55,000 vacant positions and 270,000 positions filled by unqualified instructors.

To ensure students receive a quality education, many district administrators now turn to trusted synchronous providers like Elevate K-12 and Proximity Learning Inc. These companies provide experienced virtual teachers who deliver live classes aligned with each school’s bell schedule so learning stays on track just like in person learning in brick and mortar schools.

Both Elevate K-12 and Proximity Learning have unique strengths. Understanding how they compare can help district leaders make informed decisions to fill teacher vacancies, maintain consistent instruction, and support every student.

Experience and Mission

Elevate K-12 was founded by Shaily Baranwal in 2015. With a mission to address staff shortages, Elevate pairs with certified remote teachers with public schools to deliver live online instruction for core and supplemental subjects.

Proximity Learning was founded earlier in 2009 by Evan Erdberg, a pioneer in the field of online education with a background in educational technology. He combined an innovative e-learning platform with real-time interaction and certified teachers. The company works with hundreds of districts nationwide to ensure all students, including homebound students, get the same high-quality learning they would expect in a traditional classroom.

Services and Course Offerings

Both Elevate K-12 and Proximity Learning Inc provide school districts with comprehensive virtual instruction solutions that include:

• Certified, experienced teachers
• Live classes on the school’s bell schedule
• Coverage for a wide range of core subjects and elective classes

Each company helps district administrators address teacher vacancies while ensuring students stay on track with engaging, real-time learning that mirrors in-person learning in traditional brick-and-mortor schools. However, they do differ in their services and course offerings for each grade level.

Elementary Grades (K-5)

Elevate K-12 offers select options for younger learners, including:

• World languages for K-5
• ELA for grades 3-5 (districts may choose the company’s curriculum or their own)
• Math for grades 3-5 (districts may choose the company’s curriculum or their own)
• Science for grades 3-5 (district curriculum only)
• Social Studies for grades 3-5 (district curriculum only)
• No dedicated ELA or Math for grades 1-2

In comparison, Proximity Learning can use the district’s curriculum for any class but also delivers its own wider K-5 elementary catalog with:

• K–5 Language Arts
• K–5 Math
• K–5 Science
• K–5 Social Studies
• World Languages such as Spanish, Chinese, and American Sign Language
• Electives including Physical Education, Art, and Music

Middle School (Grades 6-8)

Both companies offer solid middle school core instruction.

Core Instruction

Both Elevate K-12 and Proximity Learning provide English Language Arts, Math, Pre-Algebra, and Algebra I, along with science courses like Earth Science, Life Science, Physical Science, and Integrated Science.

For Social Studies, Elevate K-12 provides civics, world geography, ancient civilizations, and modern world history. Meanwhile, Proximity Learning customizes Social Studies to meet state standards, with region-specific courses for Texas, Louisiana, West Virginia, and Georgia, plus ancient civilizations, world geography, world studies, and U.S. history through 1900.

World Languages

Elevate K-12 offers:

• Spanish 1A/1B
• German I/II
• French I/II

Proximity Learning has an expanded sequence:

• Spanish 1–4
• Chinese 1–4
• French 1–4
• German 1–3
• Latin 1–3
• ASL 1–4
• A Spanish Language & Culture course

Notably, Proximity’s language courses are available for both middle and high school learners.

Elective Courses

For middle grades, Elevate K-12 provides:

• Cybersecurity
• Computer science
• Python basics

Proximity Learning offers a wider mix for both middle and high school students:

• Health,
• PE
• Psychology
• Drawing and painting 1–2
• Art 1
• Speech
• Theater
• Family and consumer science
• ACT Prep

High School (Grades 9-12)

In high school, both companies provide robust core and advanced options:

• Four years of English Language Arts
• Math: Algebra II, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, Geometry, Probability & Statistics. Proximity Learning Inc additionally offers Trigonometry and Financial Mathematics.
• Science: Biology, Chemistry, Earth & Space, Environmental Systems, Physical Science. Proximity also includes Integrated Physics and Chemistry.

For Social Studies:

• Elevate K-12 covers U.S. History, Civics/U.S. Government, World Geography, World History, and Economics & Personal Finance.
• Proximity Learning offers World History, U.S. History from 1942 onward, U.S. Government/Civics, and Economics

For World Languages and electives, Proximity’s full middle school language suite is available for high school as well, alongside electives like health, PE, and fine arts. Elevate’s language courses and additional instructional services are similar but organized differently by grade bands.

For test prep, Elevate K-12 provides SAT and ACT prep. Proximity Learning currently offers ACT prep but expands with an extensive Advanced Placement (AP) catalog, including:

• AP Physics
• AP Latin
• AP Spanish
• AP Chinese
• AP French
• AP Statistics
• AP Calculus
• AP Language and Composition
• AP Literature and Composition
• AP Macroeconomics
• AP Government and Politics
• AP Psychology
• AP Biology

Virtual Instruction Approach

Both Elevate K-12 and Proximity Learning stream live, certified virtual instruction in real time, never pre-recorded video lectures. Lessons happen on your existing bell schedule, and students can interact with the online teacher, ask questions, and discuss content with peers, mirroring in-person learning.

Behind the scenes, Proximity Learning adds extra layers of support: weekly teacher observations, professional development, and NVTA-aligned standards make sure every online classroom meets rigorous expectations. That means your district doesn’t carry extra supervision burdens—the company handles it for you.

Choosing the Right Partner to Take Virtual Teaching to the Next Level

Whether your district needs reliable coverage for core subjects, wants to enrich electives like American Sign Language or hopes to boost AP enrollment, both Elevate K-12 and Proximity Learning offer powerful solutions. Carefully review each company’s website for full course catalogs and implementation guides, then connect with your preferred company directly to discuss how they can tailor services for your specific needs.

The best live, virtual instruction balances live teaching, certified talent, and a commitment to student success. Both Elevate K-12 and Proximity Learning excel in these areas, giving every student the benefit of strong academics, engaged teachers, and flexible learning, no matter the teacher shortage challenges ahead.

Proximity Learning is an industry leader with the experience, expertise, and multiple class options needed to meet the needs of learners of all ages and walks of life. Contact us to find out more about why hundreds of schools throughout the nation trust us to provide their students with a top-tier education. We'll walk through the onboarding process with you, tailor our offerings to meet your needs, and partner with you as you work to provide learners with a quality education.