Kaia

Type of a Learner

College PrepCompetitive SportsScheduling Needs

Seeking the Best of Both Worlds

By the time she entered high school, Kaia’s competitive skating career had taken off—and it was consuming more and more of her time. She was a good student and loved learning, but traditional school with its typical school schedule was no longer working for her. She needed another option. So she and her parents started asking around.

Everyone Recommended Connections Academy

Kaia’s fellow competitive skaters faced many of the same scheduling challenges. Kaia and her parents spoke with the families of those skaters and many offered the same recommendation: Kaia should enroll in Connections Academy. So, her parents enrolled her. And that made all the difference.

As a Connections Academy student, Kaia no longer had to conform her learning schedule to a typical school day. Instead, she could arrange parts of her day to fit around the demands of figure skating.

“The freedom to set my own schedule allowed me the time I needed to travel and train,” she says.

But then, a career-ending injury put her on a new course.

Adapting to Unexpected Change

No longer able to pursue competitive figure skating, Kaia needed more than flexibility in her school day. She needed direction. Fortunately, her passions were expansive—and Connections Academy proved to be the perfect place for her to explore new opportunities and grow as a student and person.

“Before Connections Academy, I was more limited in the courses I had available to me and in the ways I could challenge myself academically,” Kaia says. “When I joined Connections Academy, I found many diverse and exciting course offerings.”

Building Her Future

At Connections Academy, Kaia has taken classes in journalism and used her more flexible schedule to write poetry, plays and stories. She also founded a virtual student club called “Can I Have a Word?” With the help of her 11th grade AP English Language teacher, she established the club as a space for students to share their ideas, thoughts and opinions during uncertain times.

But Kaia wasn’t done. She also reached into her local community and coded a website to help people find Asian-owned restaurants. The COVID-19 pandemic had hurt many of these restaurants, and Kaia knew she could help.

“I’m very proud of my Asian heritage,” she says. “And I was motivated to help in any way I could. The response and support I’ve received has been so gratifying.”

Preparing for College

Now, Kaia’s attention has turned to choosing a college. Once again, Connections Academy has been right by her side, helping her along.

“My counselor has been incredibly supportive and helpful during the college application process,” she says. “I know I can reach out to her whenever I have questions, and she’ll always be there for me. And not just my counselor—many teachers have offered great support and resources to seniors throughout this process.”

In addition to helping her find a college, Kaia says Connections Academy has prepared her to thrive once she heads to campus. Not only has she enjoyed a great education, Connections Academy has helped her build her personal responsibility and hone her time-management and organizational skills.