Meet Gabbie and Josh

Elmater: Traditional schools seemed to have a one-size-fits-all curriculum, where everyone had to fit into the same box. They weren’t focused on the individual child. I wanted a more student-focused option for my children—an option where they could work at their own levels and take more advanced courses.

Elmater: I’m quite happy with K12. My children are learning how to learn. They’re becoming more independent, and we can tailor our approach more. For example, they can both move more quickly through their math lessons, so Gabbie can take more time on writing skills, and Josh can take more time on history reading.

Gabbie: I like online school because you don’t have any distractions. I enjoy being able to take breaks with my brother, too. We like to go on walks or ride bikes together.

Josh: The biggest benefit for me is that I can work at my own pace, so I can move through things faster. I don’t have as much homework because I get my assignments done during the school day. I have more free time to do my solar panel experiments, write up my data, and get outside more.

Elmater: I’m continuously surprised by how much I get out of my children being in online school. It’s fulfilling to be a part of their learning, and I’ve also been inspired to advance my own lifelong learning journey. I’m taking a few online world language courses now.

Josh: I talk to my friends from my old school, and they’re surprised by the types of things I’m already learning. It’s like I’m further ahead in school now. The whole science fair experience surprised me, too. I wasn’t expecting my project to make it so far, to the national level.

Elmater: I like the schedule because it’s flexible enough for us to take the breaks my children need. That helps teach them how to self-regulate and get back on task. That’s an essential set of skills they weren’t learning in their old schools.

Gabbie: I like to do a lot of different things for breaks. I like to dance. Sometimes I want to make tea with Mom or play piano with Josh. Other times I want to be outside, so we’ll go for a walk or sit on the front porch.

Josh: We have a basketball hoop outside, and when I get frustrated by something in class, I like to go out after and play for a bit. It helps me relax so that I can think about the concept or problem differently. Sometimes my friends will come over to play basketball, which is fun.

Josh: Relax and look for the good side. I was worried at first because I wasn’t going to be around other kids all day, besides Gabbie. Once I got used to online school, I saw how much more free time I had, and that was worth it to me. Plus, I still get to see and talk to my friends.

Elmater: You can do it, too. Don’t be bashful about asking questions. K12 gives you a lot of resources, your daily class schedules and assignments, and all the materials your kids need to do their work. You also have your own village of support in the teachers and other Learning Coaches.