Nexus Academy’s blended model gives student the experience she needs to succeed in college and beyond

Alison Lucarelli chose Nexus Academy Cleveland because she needs a high school experience that can prepare her for a challenging college major: occupational therapy. Alison volunteers at Youth Challenge, a northeast Ohio program that helps children with physical disabilities participate in sports. Her volunteer work sparked her interest in occupational therapy as a career.

She tried a traditional brick-and-mortar high school, but found teachers were unable to work with students who needed or wanted to go at a different pace. In fact, she felt her school was more focused on the graduation rate than on making sure students were actually learning.

Then she tried an online school, and while she appreciated being able to set her own schedule, she didn’t think that model would prepare her well for college and a career. “You don’t have to work when you don’t feel like it,” she explains. “Blended learning gives you that discipline of having to get up and go in, but you can still work at your own pace.” Alison goes to the Nexus Academy Cleveland campus from 8 am to noon every day, then works online at home for another couple of hours.

She was nervous about starting a new school but has made friends easily. “Things you would get made fun of for at a traditional school are accepted here,” she says. She emphasizes that Nexus is a choice for all kinds of students and says, “The diversity of students here will prepare you for any career.”

She appreciates that her teachers and success coaches are not only preparing her for college but are focused on helping her get into a college with a good program in occupational therapy.