Student Profiles. Learn more about (and from) several featured online students.
Competitive snowboarder Asher Humphreys enrolled at Provost Academy Colorado as a freshman to accommodate his demanding training schedule. Four years later, the Breckenridge-area senior has mastered the art of self-discipline as he keeps up with his schoolwork – maintaining A’s and B’s in his courses – while pursuing his goal of becoming a professional athlete.
Attending high school online gives Asher the ability to hit the slopes in the morning – the ideal time for training – and complete coursework later in the day. The flexibility that Provost Academy provides even allows Asher to take on the additional responsibility of a part-time job at a local snowboarding shop.
“If I went to a traditional school, something would always get pushed back; I definitely wouldn’t have as much time for snowboarding. That’s why I like Provost. It lets me do what I love to do,” he said.
By building his own schedule, Asher was able to take on some of his more challenging courses early on so he could focus on snowboarding and travel to competitions during his senior year.
“Some students, like Asher, prefer to work ahead in earning credits so that their senior year is less demanding. This opens up a student’s daily schedule so they can focus on other areas of life. Asher is a prime example of a good student who needs a flexible schedule with school in order to reach his personal goals,” said Provost Academy advisor Lisa Fiess.
Asher has participated in snowboarding competitions across the globe, including New Zealand and Australia – a necessary step in reaching the professional level. It appears that his dedication is paying off, as he currently sits at no. 26 in the World Snowboard Tour rankings for slopestyle and no. 74 overall. Asher hopes to reach the top 20 by the end of the season. As for long-term goals, Asher hopes to eventually make it onto the U.S. snowboarding team.
Asher’s family is appreciative of the flexibility and individualized education that Provost Academy provides to both Asher and his younger brother, Josiah, a Provost freshman who plans on training to become a mountain biker.
“What we’ve learned through Asher’s four years at Provost is that this is something that works really well with our family, and with what Asher wants to do in pursuing his interests. As a parent, you want to provide your kids with the opportunity to do what they’re passionate about,” said his dad, Jimmy.
Attending high school online gives Asher the ability to hit the slopes in the morning – the ideal time for training – and complete coursework later in the day. The flexibility that Provost Academy provides even allows Asher to take on the additional responsibility of a part-time job at a local snowboarding shop.
“If I went to a traditional school, something would always get pushed back; I definitely wouldn’t have as much time for snowboarding. That’s why I like Provost. It lets me do what I love to do,” he said.
By building his own schedule, Asher was able to take on some of his more challenging courses early on so he could focus on snowboarding and travel to competitions during his senior year.
“Some students, like Asher, prefer to work ahead in earning credits so that their senior year is less demanding. This opens up a student’s daily schedule so they can focus on other areas of life. Asher is a prime example of a good student who needs a flexible schedule with school in order to reach his personal goals,” said Provost Academy advisor Lisa Fiess.
Asher has participated in snowboarding competitions across the globe, including New Zealand and Australia – a necessary step in reaching the professional level. It appears that his dedication is paying off, as he currently sits at no. 26 in the World Snowboard Tour rankings for slopestyle and no. 74 overall. Asher hopes to reach the top 20 by the end of the season. As for long-term goals, Asher hopes to eventually make it onto the U.S. snowboarding team.
Asher’s family is appreciative of the flexibility and individualized education that Provost Academy provides to both Asher and his younger brother, Josiah, a Provost freshman who plans on training to become a mountain biker.
“What we’ve learned through Asher’s four years at Provost is that this is something that works really well with our family, and with what Asher wants to do in pursuing his interests. As a parent, you want to provide your kids with the opportunity to do what they’re passionate about,” said his dad, Jimmy.
Gaby Tolman is a student at Provost Colorado Academy and a championship ice skater. As a sophomore, the Morrison area student expertly manages the difficult task of finding a balance between schoolwork and her rigorous training schedule. Earning her high school diploma online allows Gaby to have a more flexible schedule so she can practice skating during the day, when its easier to snag coveted time on the ice, while still engaging in challenging coursework and getting the academic support she needs. The flexibility of online schooling also allows her to travel to competitions throughout the year and bring her studies with her. Gaby’s hard work is paying off – her performance both in the classroom and on the ice is better than ever before. She hopes to graduate a year early so she can have an extra year to skate fulltime. She is currently training in three disciplines – figure skating, ice dance, and theater on ice. Gaby’s long-term aspirations are anything but small – she hopes to one day perform with Disney on Ice, and eventually qualify for the Olympics in ice dancing.
Student Mickey Widick explains how her online school is able to support her busy lifestyle through access and flexibility.
Growing up at an online school (from EdNews Voices) by Iman Dwebi