Maxwell S
High School Student
Max dreams of playing ice hockey in college and the National Hockey League, and he wanted to attend a public school that allows him to pursue those goals. A tenth grader at Great Lakes Learning Academy, Max is now a Tier 1 player in Division AAA, the highest level of youth hockey competition, and often travels out of state to play games.
Juggling Schoolwork and Hockey Practice
Max appreciates our online school’s flexible approach to education because it enables him to travel for his sport and spend the time he needs practicing and improving his skills. “Instead of having to sit in school, I get my work done when I have the time,” he says.
“I focus on my hockey training and my teachers allow it. If I need help, they are always there. … Some of my friends were mad that I left traditional public school, and others are really jealous of my schedule.”
When asked how he manages his schoolwork and hockey practice, Max said, “I take a computer with me and work there. Skate, work, skate, work, go home.”
“I don’t feel bombarded with work all the time like I did in traditional public school. … I can work at my own pace, which is really nice.”
— Max
Working at His Own Pace
Max reports that his favorite subjects are math and history. He has a good relationship with his teachers and says, “They let me work at my own pace, but they also let me know if I'm not doing something correctly, which I like … We text sometimes, and I sometimes talk with my counselor. If I need something I message or email. I attend on-camera LiveLesson® sessions, which are pretty good.”
In addition to hockey, Max enjoys fishing, cycling, and watching Grand Prix car races with his dad. Not surprisingly, he’s thinking of pursuing a major in sports therapy or physical therapy when he attends college.