“I always wanted to homeschool my children. After trying a bricks-and-mortar public school, I attended an Arizona Connections Academy local meeting and signed Rebekah up right away. We were still learning and adapting to the program during the first year, but we added Emily the following year, and then Joshua and Jacob as they became old enough for kindergarten. We also plan on enrolling our youngest when he reaches school age.

I especially like the flexibility of working on holidays, evenings, and weekends. All of the children are on competitive sports teams. Rebekah swims on a national level, Emily is a level 8 gymnast, Joshua plays baseball (both Little League and travel team), Jacob plays Little League in season (and wants to try football), and Dawson is playing tee ball for the first time this year. We travel a lot for meets and games, usually out of town and occasionally out of state. At Arizona Connections Academy, we can work during spring and fall break, and also take time off to allow for travel. I like being able to take some schoolwork in the truck for the children while we travel. I also enjoy having the option to start the school day later. Since Emily doesn’t get home from gymnastic practice until after 9 p.m. every weeknight, she can sleep in. I feel that the flexible scheduling is healthier for her.

I like that even with our busy schedule, the children still get to interact with one another. Without Arizona Connections Academy, they would spend their days in school, come home at different times, scatter to practices, and then not see one another on weekends because of meets and games in different locations. With Arizona Connections Academy, they can each do their own thing and still see and grow up with one another.

Last, I truly enjoy mentoring and helping other families have a great experience with Arizona Connections Academy through meetings and message boards. I also like sharing my personal experiences and Word documents that I find helpful in organizing my family’s school day.”