Beyond the uplifting statistics of the Agora Cyber Charter School success story are the uplifting individual success stories. Here are several—young people who have overcome tough odds, or have made the most of special talents, and are making the grade. You can, too!

• Preparing for an Exciting Future
• Overcoming Adversity with a Determination to Succeed
• Achieving Balance and Success as an Agora Student

Preparing for an Exciting Future

Graduating from high school is an exciting time for any student. The anticipation of what lies ahead can bring butterflies to a student's stomach, and a tear to a parent's eye. For senior Anna L., she credits her education at Agora Cyber Charter School as giving her the confidence to tackle whatever comes her way post-grad.

"My virtual education has helped me prepare for my goals because I am more independent, responsible, and mature," says Anna. "Agora has given me a better outlook for my future and has me ready for all the new challenges I will face."

The former brick-and-mortar high school student says she used to struggle with grasping lessons in traditional school and that, before Agora, she feared that she would be left behind.

In the two years she has been a virtual school student, Anna has seen her grades dramatically improve.

"The thing I like most about being a virtual student is that I am on my own time," says Anna. "The teachers at Agora are [also] so friendly and helpful with each student; you can tell that the teachers want you to do your best and succeed. All of my teachers are positive and never give up on me."

With graduation less than one month away, Anna says she plans on going to college and pursuing a career in the medical field. No matter what career path Anna chooses, she is confident that her Agora education has well prepared her for the future.

Overcoming Adversity with a Determination to Succeed

Perseverance has been Anne Marie's key to success both in and out of the classroom. As a middle school student, Anne Marie faced one of the most difficult situations a teenager can face when she learned she was pregnant. Unsure about how she would care for a baby and attend school, Anne Marie sought guidance from her older sister and decided to enroll in Agora Cyber Charter School.

Anne Marie, who gave her son up for adoption to her older sister, loves the Agora program because she is able to attend school while helping out with her son. What's more, Anne Marie, who was failing in the traditional school system, is now an honors student. "[My] first semester [at Agora] I made honor roll for the first time in my life," boasts Anne Marie. "I was so happy, and my family was so proud of me."

She credits the teachers and guidance counselors, who provide students with individualized attention, as a major factor in her success. "In my last school, they just handed me the work and expected me to do it on my own. That's why I was failing," says Anne Marie.

Agora has given Anne Marie the confidence to know that she can tackle whatever challenges come her way, and she'll graduate from high school in a couple years. After graduation, she wants to attend college and become a nurse.

Achieving Balance and Success as an Agora Student

Colleen H. seems like your typical eighth grader. She attends a public school and enjoys spending time with her friends. However, what sets her apart from her peers is that she holds a second degree black belt in Taekwondo, a Korean martial art, and she also teaches karate classes. She credits the flexibility offered by her virtual education in allowing her to compete—and teach—at such a high level.

Spending an average of four hours a day practicing martial arts, Colleen has been able to build a schedule that allows her to complete her classroom assignments—and focus on her sport. "My typical day begins with school work first, followed by teaching karate classes, and then I take classes myself," says Colleen. "I spend part of my afternoon preparing and practicing my materials for the evening."

Colleen, who has been a student at Agora for six years, has also taken Taekwondo for six years, and has taught classes for two. She is currently working towards her third degree black belt and her next "Instructor Collar."

When she isn't focused on school work or practicing karate, Colleen enjoys hanging out with her friends. 

She knows that the time management skills she is learning as a virtual school student helps her achieve balance between school, karate, and her personal life—skills she knows that will continue to benefit her as she works toward a goal of opening a karate school and training black belt students like herself.