Amy
Amy Sparks is an Pearson Online Academy Learning Coach for two of her children, Samantha and Patrick Jr. Her daughters, Carol-Anne and Sarah, are recent graduates of Pearson Online Academy. Amy and her husband, Patrick, are thrilled with the quality and flexibility of the program. Learn more about Amy’s story below.
The Sparks family was first introduced to Pearson Online Academy eight years ago. Amy was looking for a virtual school that would allow her children to spend more time with their father, who works at night. “Family time is really important to us. Patrick teaches [our kids] math and science during the day, and I handle the English and social studies at night—so the flexibility allows us to split our learning day,” Amy says.
Amy believes the teachers at Pearson Online Academy go out of their way to help and stay connected with their students. Amy shares, “I know my children are learning because their progress is tested three times throughout the year. This process allows the teachers to zone in on their trouble areas and keep them on track.” The flexible pacing of the program has been amazing for the Sparks family—Patrick Jr. was able to move ahead and take an 8th grade math class.
Samantha and Patrick Jr. stay connected with friends through LiveLesson® sessions and clubs during the day. In their free time, they use Skype to communicate with their friends and enjoy visiting the YMCA.
After eight years with Pearson Online Academy, the Sparks family considers Pearson Online Academy teachers family. “Staying in touch with them is the key, and knowing that they really are just a phone call away is such a blessing,” explains Amy. She says it is helpful that her children can reach out to the same teacher or a tutor every day when help is needed. “If that teacher is teaching another class at that particular time, my student can jump into a LiveTutor session and still get the assistance he or she needs,” says Amy.
As for the future, Patrick is anxious about taking coding classes in high school because he wants to pursue a cybersecurity career, and because of the school’s broad selection of electives, Samantha’s aspirations range from clothing designer to chef. Amy and Patrick look forward to what tomorrow will bring for their students.
We have seen results from Pearson Online Academy. My older girls graduated from Pearson Online Academy in 2011—they received both Senatorial and Marine Scholarships!
— Amy