Online school gives student the chance to see the world

Since she was younger, Amelia Wolfe-Jewell had been inspired by her parents to travel, to explore different countries and experience different cultures. This passion was fueled by opportunities to visit countries like Romania, Austria and Japan.

As a student, Amelia had developed a very similar mindset and a desire for learning and experiencing things outside of the classroom.

It was during Amelia’s sophomore year when she made the determination that a traditional brick and mortar school and its rigid schedule requirements were no longer working. She wanted more time to pursue experiences that would help her to discover more about who she was and what she wanted to do. It was clearly time for a change.

In the Fall of 2017, Amelia enrolled in Ohio Connections Academy, an online public charter school, and she immediately found the freedom to do the things that interested her. It also reignited her love for travel. During that first semester at OCA , she learned of an opportunity to study for a semester abroad in Ecuador, so she jumped at the chance.

“It's commonly thought that the only reason people switch to online school is that they already had grandiose plans in the making and their non-digital school didn't give them the time needed to train like an Olympic athlete or world-class musician,” Amelia said. “I don't think those are the only people that can benefit from online education. Before I changed to a digital system, life was surviving until the next test day, and a constant feeling of emptiness because the school had stolen all my time and energy. I left brick and mortar education because I needed to live on my own terms again.”

When Amelia returned to the U.S. and went to enroll again in Ohio Connections for the 2018-19 academic year, she learned the school had reached its high school enrollment cap. For a moment she was very worried her senior year would be spent back at her brick and mortar school.

Fortunately, Great River Connections Academy, a new online public charter school, had just been approved and was accepting students. She enrolled in the school and was pleased to see the teachers at GRCA were as helpful and supportive as those she had at OCA.

As Amelia prepares to graduate in June from GRCA, she already has her plan set for what’s next and of course it involves another journey to a different country.

She has deferred her enrollment at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, NY to participate in a year-long program where she will be licensed to teach English in Spain.

“I wanted an experience that was going to challenge me which is the real beauty of travelling,” Amelia said. “I want to experience the life and culture of the country. To me the best way to do that would be to teach there.”

Enrollment for the 2019-2020 academic year is currently open. For more information about Great River Connections Academy and to view a complete list of upcoming information sessions, visit www.GreatRiverConnectionsAcademy.com.