Marian
Middle School Student
Marian is a seventh-grade student whose disciplined drive both in the online classroom and in the gym shines through every part of her day. The reflections below are shared by her mother, who offers an inside look at their family’s experience supporting Marian’s learning and goals at Missouri Connections Academy.
Our Family’s Story
After COVID, Marian, then a second grader, chose to continue homeschooling. We initially used a homeschool curriculum that we adapted to better challenge her, particularly in mathematics. When we moved to Missouri in 2024 and Marian was preparing to enter middle school, she again chose to continue schooling at home. As my husband and I are both immigrants who completed our education in our home country, we are less familiar with the United States educational system and wanted to ensure our children receive a strong academic foundation. Given Marian’s demanding gymnastics training schedule, online school provided the ideal balance, offering flexibility while delivering a comprehensive curriculum that prepares her for high school and, ultimately, college.
"We are pleased with the extensive and thorough curriculum provided by Missouri Connections Academy. While the planner offers a helpful framework for students, the flexible pacing allows us to tailor Marian’s schedule around her gymnastics meet season and family travel. Marian proactively works ahead whenever possible so that, during meet‑related travel, she can stay on track academically and fully focus on her competitions."
Our Online School Experience
Marian especially enjoys being challenged in math and has also been enjoying the diverse topics covered in science. History has been very informative for her. She particularly enjoyed art during her sixth grade year and wishes she had more time this year to continue exploring it. We work together by creating a clear plan at the beginning of each week and being proactive about managing time on a daily basis. If we do not meet our goals for a particular day, we revisit the plan, either by finding another pocket of time to complete the lesson or adjusting the remainder of the week’s schedule. This collaborative approach helps keep learning organized, flexible, and manageable.
We communicate with teachers primarily through email, although most also provide a phone number for texting or calls. Additionally, my daughter has been developing self‑advocacy skills and now communicates directly with her teachers via email when she has questions or clarifications about her lessons and expectations.
Balancing School and Interests
Marian is a Level 9 gymnast who trains 25 hours per week. To accommodate her training schedule, we adjust her school plan so she completes some lessons on the weekends, allowing for shorter school days during the week. This approach has been in place even prior to enrolling with the school and has proven to be effective for our family, particularly as middle school coursework has become more rigorous.
This year, Marian advanced to a high school math course (Algebra I) while still in seventh grade. This placement has appropriately challenged her, met her academic needs, and positioned her well for continued success in higher‑level mathematics as she prepares for college. In addition, she has participated in the Gifted and Talented program for Science and Language Arts during both her sixth and seventh grade years, receiving adequate support across multiple disciplines.
Tips for Other Families
One piece of advice for families new to the school is to take advantage of the flexibility it offers while staying organized. We appreciate the extensive and comprehensive coursework, which goes beyond very basic lessons and provides a strong academic foundation. The adjustable pacing and availability of teacher support have also been extremely helpful. To make the most of the program, it has been imperative for us to create a weekly plan and manage time consistently each day. As a Learning Coach, previewing lessons in advance has been especially useful, as it helps identify longer or more demanding assignments so we can plan accordingly. Working ahead when possible has also reduced stress and has made the overall learning experience more manageable, effective, and enjoyable.