"Nexus Academy challenges our abilities as students and people."

When Jessica moved to the Cleveland area from Belmont County in 2012, she had a lot of difficulty adjusting to the much larger environment at her new high school. Her previous school had fewer members in the entire student body than her sophomore class.

Very early on, Jessica began experiencing a great deal of anxiety making it hard to focus and comprehend the material that was being taught. And with the significantly larger school, it was hard for her to get the help she needed when she began having trouble with the classes. Jessica knew she needed a smaller, less chaotic environment.

Mid-way through the first semester, Jessica enrolled in an online school where she could take classes from home and work at her own pace. “I really thought this approach was going to be the best fit for me while I adjusted to my new surroundings,” Jessica said. “Unfortunately I wasn’t self-motivated enough nor did I have the discipline to keep up with my school work. As a result, I fell far behind.”

At her previous high school in Belmont County, Jessica had taken advanced level courses. So struggling to catch up with her academics was something she had never experienced. She knew she needed a school that offered a smaller setting and provided her the opportunity to work with a teacher when the concepts grew too difficult.

Last summer she found Nexus Academy of Cleveland and four months into the school year, Jessica is caught up and looking toward finishing her junior year at the blended high school near downtown. She feels a lot more comfortable with the blended academic model where she takes online courses and attends classes at the Nexus school four days a week.

“I immediately liked how Nexus Academy is smaller and the individualized approach to learning that an online school offers works for me,” Jessica said. “Nexus Academy also offers the opportunity to collaborate in group settings and learning coaches are available to keep you on track.”

This once withdrawn student who experienced anxiety in a much larger academic setting, was now comfortable and confident enough to run for and be elected Vice President of the Nexus Academy of Cleveland Student Council.

“Nexus Academy provides a diverse, nurturing environment that challenges our abilities as students and people,” Jessica said. “Here the teachers really get involved in our progress and are always there to help you stay on track and succeed.

Nexus isn’t as structured as a traditional school, yet the teachers really encourage us to set goals and plans, take initiative and collaborate with others,” she continued.

Jessica plans to study adolescent psychology in college after graduating from Nexus Academy of Cleveland in 2015.