Cola, meet Annika Trochesset — a college student at The Citadel and Cyber Academy of South Carolina (CASC) alum.
When COVID-19 hit, Annika switched to CASC because, while many schools struggled to adapt to virtual learning, CASC had been leading the way in online education in South Carolina since 2013. She wanted a school where she could excel academically while learning from home.
Annika thrived at CASC, earning straight A’s and taking several honor roll classes. She loved the flexibility, which taught her valuable life skills like time management + independence.
The flexible schedule also allowed her to learn at her own pace, fitting school around her hobbies. Think: crochet, judo, guitar, and even playing in a band at the local brick-and-mortar high school. She even balanced her babysitting job with school, essentially working anywhere with an internet connection.
Annika especially loved her chemistry class, thanks to the teachers who gave her personalized attention — something she didn’t get in a traditional classroom.
After graduating early, Annika followed her two older brothers’ footsteps and now attends The Citadel in Charleston.
“Virtual learning taught me how to pace myself and get things done,” Annika said. “It taught me a strong work ethic and self-motivation skills.”
The perks of virtual learning
Public school from home gives parents and students the ability to control learning environments. While each student’s experience is unique, most CASC students enjoy benefits like:
- Learning at their own pace, like adjusting the amount of time they spend on topics based on their rate of understanding
- Balancing school with other commitments, like extracurricular activities, work, and family
- Meeting peers from diverse backgrounds to learn and share new ideas + perspectives
- Building digital literacy and career-ready skills that are essential in today’s workforce
Plus, this online school is tuition-free.
