Chase D.
Chase is a middle school student at Georgia Connections Academy (GACA). He lives in LaGrange, GA with his family. Since enrolling in 2011, Chase has developed a passion for learning. Learn more about his story below:
“His whole outlook has turned around since he started at GACA. He wakes up every morning ready to get started with school. He loves to challenge himself, and GACA allows him that opportunity,” says his mother, Jolene Davis. While Chase enjoyed his time at his local bricks-and-mortar school, there was just something missing. “His grades were superb and he enjoyed his friends, but he was lacking that extra push he needed to be excited about school.”
Chase gave us insight into how our online program works for him and what he likes most about it. He said, “GACA is awesome! I get to work at my own pace instead of getting bored waiting for others. For example, I finished an entire year and a half of math last year. I love numbers, so math is really fun for me. It is nice that I can move at a faster pace in subjects that are easy for me, but still learn with the class for other topics. The best part is that we have small-group LiveLesson® sessions. These function like small groups in a bricks-and-mortar school. I am placed with other classmates who are working on the same unit as I am. This way, I don’t feel left out or bored. LiveLesson sessions are probably the most fun for me. We get a chance to talk to our friends before our lesson begins, and our teachers usually leave enough time at the end for us to use our webcams or tell jokes.
GACA is awesome! I get to work at my own pace instead of getting bored waiting for others. For example, I finished an entire year and a half of math last year. I love numbers, so math is really fun for me. It is nice that I can move at a faster pace in subjects that are easy for me, but still learn with the class for other topics.
— Chase
It is nice to be able to see my friends each day and talk with them. We are kids, so we want to know about each other. I have made friends all over the state—and, through GACA’s academic clubs, I have made friends all across our great nation! Compare this to a bricks-and-mortar school, where you are limited to knowing only kids in your school district. Plus, in GACA clubs, we have only an hour together, but it is just enough time to find out something interesting about another student. Usually, I will use the student directory to WebMail an interesting student, and then that student and I will get to know each other better and become really good friends. One of my best friends at GACA lives in the Riverdale/Fayetteville area. I would never have known him if it weren’t for GACA.”
When we asked Chase about his favorite subjects and his goals for his education, he replied, “I love all of my subjects and my clubs, but if I had to pick my favorites in order, they would be math, literature, science, Robotics Club, and Brainteasers Club. One day, I am going to be a chemical engineer with a nuclear background. I want to make medicine to help people, and I also want to be able to protect our country from chemical or nuclear attacks. Right now, I am just trying to learn as much as I can while not driving my teachers crazy.”
Chase’s favorite pastimes include visiting Disney World, participating in cub scouts, camping, rock climbing, playing golf and Wii games with friends, and participating in Friday-family-fun-time.