TESTIMONIAL OF ANNA WELCH – PARENT OF CMASAS CLASS OF 2019 AND GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY HONORS GRADUATE MICHELLE CALVERT

      In 2022, my daughter graduated with honors from Georgia State University at the age of 19, achieving a three-year academic advancement. Our journey began in 2015 when Michelle, then a 6th grader, excelled in all her classes except English. This led us to question the public education system.

     My husband Derek, a seasoned educator, suggested she was simply bored, prompting us to seek alternatives. In the middle of the academic year, we started the search for a good private school. There were plenty of brick-and-mortar options, but the tuition was beyond our means. After searching for online schools, we found CMASAS (Christa McAuliffe Academy School of Arts and Sciences), a top 10 online school known for its year-round, individualized curriculum, and dedicated teachers.

     Michelle, 11 at the time, showcased high-school-level aptitude in a placement test. It took five months to adapt to online learning, but once she mastered her planning and goal-setting, Michelle completed a six-year program in three years. CMASAS also granted us flexibility to relocate and travel as needed.

     She dual-enrolled in community college in her final year, graduating at 15 in San Diego. After a semester break, she applied to Georgia State University, completing her bachelor's degree in three years with two internships.

     Michelle's journey allowed me to become her close friend during periods of reduced social interaction. It taught me to pause my parent authority and recognize her ability of undeniable reasoning, intellect, and her wonderful analytical skills. CMASAS helped Michelle develop goal setting skills, the value of hard work, it sharpened her critical thinking, and most importantly helped her realize that knowledge is power. I am grateful to CMASAS and its wonderful staff of caring teachers who held Michelle’s hand all three years, providing her with education, knowledge, support, encouragement, and amazing travel experiences.