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Samantha: We wanted to give Peter the opportunity to have a different experience than we did with school. We faced bullying and struggled with motivation, having to work at everyone else’s pace. We didn’t want to hold back Peter’s potential. He needed to work faster and have space to research concepts that excite him.
Meet Peter
As a bright elementary school student, Peter loves the challenge of extra assignments. Dedicated, state-certified teachers support him as he works ahead to reach his true potential—while still enjoying plenty of free time to be a kid.
Why This Family Chose K12
Mom and Learning Coach Samantha wants to provide Peter with the best education possible. With a K12-powered school, she and her husband have found a positive, inclusive learning environment that surpasses their traditional school experiences.
Find your cultural fit
Peter’s parents want to protect their son from the discrimination and bullying they experienced in traditional schools. School online allows Peter to focus on learning in a safe environment.
Progress with a personalized pace
Peter’s teachers prepare an endless stream of engaging materials that keep him motivated. As an advanced learner, he works at his own quick pace and explores his interests more deeply.
Elevate learning through exploration
No two days are exactly alike. Maybe Peter’s family will visit a comic book store, research ocean animals, or hike the local wetlands to see what he’s learning about in action.
Flexible Schedule With Live Class Anchors
Schoolwork for Peter is a mix of scheduled, live online classes and independent assignments he can complete at his own pace. His mom and Learning Coach Samantha can help him if he gets stuck or ask the teachers extra questions.
A benefit of schools powered by K12 is that the required educational materials are provided, such as a computer, textbooks, supplies for offline activities, and more!
Curriculum
The number of classes students take varies per grade level and individual. For example, elementary students like Peter typically take 4–6 subjects each semester, with maybe 2–4 of those requiring scheduled, live classes.
In addition to core academic subjects, there’s a great selection of electives, including art and skills labs for extra math and reading practice.
The Parent Experience as a Learning Coach
At K12-powered schools, parents (or other responsible adults) act as Learning Coaches for their students. Learning Coaches typically spend 4 to 6 hours a day with elementary students like Peter. He’s very independent, so he works through most of his lessons on his own. Samantha is there to help answer his questions when he needs a bit more explanation on a topic.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Live classes, lessons, textbooks, and real-life adventures align to nurture curiosity in and outside the classroom. For example, Peter’s interest in ecosystems takes his family to the local wetland to catch tadpoles and watch beavers building their dams. Peter’s teachers encourage him to put together presentations to share his observations with classmates, socialize, and develop self-confidence.
Time away from the computer looks like …
Advanced Academics at Their Pace
Fast-paced Peter moves quickly through his personalized learning program and takes advanced courses at his true academic level. He’s excited to learn and easily recalls new concepts from the interactive curriculum. His teachers encourage his insatiable curiosity and self-motivation by continuously challenging him with new topics.
Family Q&A
Samantha: We like that Peter has more flexibility to set his schedule and pace. There are still set class times and due dates, but there is more space for him to fill that time in whatever way works best. That could be finishing lessons early and going to a museum to learn more about the topic. We can really base a lot of our week on what he’s interested in, and we love that.
Samantha: The teachers are state-certified, plus, they receive special training for online instruction, and it shows. Peter loves his teachers, especially in math. They lead fun activities and have the kids work in groups as well as independently. Peter likes sometimes working on his own and other times with peers.
Samantha: Doing online school keeps our life interesting! We’re encouraged to follow Peter’s curiosity, and that’s great because we get to experience new things together. Working while being a Learning Coach balances well for us since I work from home. I’m right there if he has questions, but he’s pretty independent.
Samantha: Honestly, how easy it is. School was hard for me, but not for Peter. It’s great to be able to help him learn more about whatever he’s interested in alongside the standard curriculum. I was also surprised that our parents were okay with the decision. They’re pretty set in their ways traditionally and culturally, so we were nervous about telling them. As soon as they realized it was a good thing for Peter, they were on board.
Other Stories You Might Find Helpful
Kindergarten
Demonty
Demonty stays on track at school with a personalized approach to learning and great teachers who work with his mom.
1st Grade
Micah
Micah can focus on live classes with family support and a flexible schedule that can include nature hikes or the trampoline park.
3rd Grade
Gabbie
Gabbie can work through lessons at her own energetic, fast pace and spend more time on her advanced writing assignments.
Learning With K12
From kindergarten to high school, K12 provides tuition-free online education that empowers students to learn in ways that work for them. Browse options in your state to find the perfect fit for your family.
These are the stories of real students attending K12-powered schools and their families. Content is a combination of direct quotes and summaries from interviews. Their stories each reflect their experiences at their respective schools. Actual experiences can vary by student and school. These pages are designed to reflect a typical day in the life of a student attending an online K12-powered school. Individual class schedules and requirements will vary by state, school, and the individual needs of each student. Course materials vary, and certain schools may not provide computers or may have specific requirements for providing equipment.