Gifted Student Finds Online Learning with Colorado Virtual Academy a Perfect Fit
Northglenn, CO (PRWEB) August 30, 2013 -- While many Colorado families are hitting the stores for back-to-school supplies and clothes, 17-year-old Colorado Virtual Academy (COVA) student, Kelsey Willcox, waits for her UPS package of school supplies to arrive before the aspiring neurosurgeon starts school. Among the items in her UPS package: materials for science experiments and books for several AP courses she’s taking this fall.
Kelsey represents a growing population of virtual students who skip the commute to school and log-in to an online public school for a more individualized approach to education.
“Kelsey is excited to start her senior year,” said Kelsey’s mom, Pam Willcox. “She’s been enrolled at COVA for several years and really enjoys it. The school challenges her and gives her the flexibility to travel internationally for surgical apprenticeships and pursue her other passions, like art. I know she’s receiving an excellent education and will be well prepared for college.”
Despite being a new high school senior, Kelsey has already completed several apprenticeships with acclaimed surgeons throughout the U.S. and India and has plans to study medicine at Yale, Harvard or Stanford. Her love of art also led her to launch a nonprofit called The Starving Artist, where proceeds from her artistic creations—all food-themed miniatures—are donated to area food banks.
In addition to her extracurricular activities outside of school, Kelsey also participates in many academic clubs offered through COVA. She founded the premedical and “Mathemaniacs” clubs and is a member of the International Forensic Science club, history club and debate club.
Like many students who choose COVA, Kelsey wanted to accelerate her learning and take more advanced and interesting courses, like Mandarin Chinese and animation, which aren’t offered at traditional schools. However, her decision was also prompted by the fact that she struggled socially at her previous brick and mortar school. “I spent the first quarter in middle school constantly upset and feeling like an outcast. I didn’t fit in,” said Kelsey, “It made it hard to focus.”
As part of the Colorado public school system, COVA is tuition-free and serves students in grades K through 12. COVA offers parents and students a choice. Whether students need flexible scheduling, or a more customized pace (like Kelsey), COVA can meet those needs.
More information is available by clicking the link at http://www.coloradovirtualacademy.org
Chandra Brin, COVA, +1 303.951.2565, [email protected]
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