For 7th grade student Arabelle Steffel, transitioning to an online education at KJ Academy meant she was able to improve her social life, raise her grades and rediscover her love for school.

 

One reason Arabelle believes KJ Academy improved her social life is because she found it easier to make friends at the online school compared with previous schools she attended.

 

“I’m still getting to talk to people and make friends with them, but I don’t have to worry about what I’m wearing or other people around me,” Arabelle said.

 

Arabelle noted that attending school online also does not stop her from interacting with her friends regularly; she often sees them during class, eats lunch with them, plays games with them after school, and sometimes meets up with them in-person to have sleepovers.

 

Arabelle also enjoys that KJ Academy offers more flexibility to chat with her friends frequently throughout the school day. 

 

“If you have your work done and they do too, you can talk to them over chats and you don’t have to worry about getting in trouble about that,” Arabelle said.

 

Beyond the social aspects of school, Arabelle also found her academics improving after moving to KJ Academy.

 

She went from receiving failing to low passing grades in math to regularly receiving As and Bs.

 

Arabelle attributed her improved grades to her teachers at KJ Academy, who made her comfortable enough to seek help when she needed it.

 

“I can tell that they’re actually wanting to help … and that they care,” Arabelle said. 

 

Above all else, Arabelle found that KJ Academy has helped her find her love for school again.

 

“I feel like I’m able to come to KJ and I can actually learn, and that I want to learn again,” Arabelle said. “I’ve actually found that I’m more myself.”