Within secondary education, there has been an increase in online enrollment of students who are at risk of dropping out of high school and being economically disadvantaged. This qualitative study analyzed ten participants' interviews based on what motivates them in the educational setting. Within the findings, themes of engagement in the classroom, a need for purpose within the educational process, and togetherness of being a part of the online community of their educational program set the educational plan for this educational institution. Proposed actions of this dissertation recommend a refocus on the Three E's of the educational setting (Engage, Educate, and Enrich) with the inclusion of the whole student approach and approaches based around Velez-Ibanez and Greenberg's Funds of Knowledge of understanding and engaging the student. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]