What Online School Looks Like: A Student Day in the Life Q&A With Noah

See how and why online school works for Noah in this Student Advisory Council blog series.

By: Noah E., 10th grade student and SAC intern

K12 asked this year’s Student Advisory Council cohort what makes online school so great and here’s what our own Noah had to say.

My K12 Why

What do you like about California Virtual Academies (CAVA)? Why does online learning work for you?

Online school allows me to take ownership of my education, focus on what matters most to me, and create a routine that supports both my academic and personal goals.

I really enjoy the flexibility to pursue my interests and manage my time in a way that works best for me. For example, I volunteer at my local conservancy, which allows me to give back to my community. I also play guitar as a hobby and take lessons, and I can easily fit practice into my schedule. Right now, I’m learning how to drive and I can balance my driving lessons with my coursework.

One of my proudest achievements is writing my book, “Scrum for Teens: Level Up Your Learning with Half the Effort.” Online school gave me the time and independence to work on this project (you can find it on Amazon), which I might not have been able to do in a traditional school setting.

Did anything surprise you about online school at CAVA?

One thing that surprised me was how connected I could feel to my teachers and classmates, even though we weren’t in the same physical space. I found that there are lots of opportunities to interact—through virtual clubs, group projects, and live class sessions. I also didn’t expect how much independence I would gain.

My Online School Day

Can you describe a typical day and week for your virtual school experience at CAVA?

I find that getting my heart pumping early gets my brain ready to roll. Later, I start looking at my assignments and what’s due. I also check all my course announcements and emails from teachers. I write down the most important information and keep track of my responsibilities on a whiteboard. I go to homeroom and say hello to my peers. Sometimes my homeroom teacher and I chat during our check-in. It’s a great way to start the morning.

Then I log into my live online classes. If I have extra time during lunch, I’ll go outside to my garden and check on my plants or take a breath of fresh air. Then, I attend my afternoon classes and finish the rest of the independent work for the day. By late afternoon, I am done with all my work and spend the rest of my time with family and friends.

What classes are you taking right now?

My favorite part of the day has to be when I go to my AP® class. I’m aspiring to become a civil engineer, and AP® human geography covers the various interesting geospatial topics that are relevant to my intended field. It’s my favorite subject because it incorporates everything that I love about each core subject into one—the equations from math, the ways of analyzing from English, the processes from science, and the maps from history.

In addition to AP® human geography, I’m taking honors math, English, and chemistry, and a cybersecurity course through the Information and Communication Technology Career and College Prep pathway.

What do you like to do on your breaks?

I like to talk and play games with my friends, play my guitars, tinker on my electric bass, go running on local wetland trails, learn more about cars, 3D print, and go traveling with my parents during extended breaks.

My Teachers & Classmates

Who’s your favorite teacher?

One of my most impressionable teachers is Mr. Z (Peter Zwigl). He makes learning about chemical equations and the periodic table a fun activity. Whenever I have a question about anything, he will answer it very quickly through email.

How do your teachers support you at online school?

My teachers at online school are really helpful and easy to reach. They make classes interesting by adding fun activities, sharing jokes, and using creative ways to explain things. They also encourage us to join clubs and work together on group projects, so it’s easier to make friends and feel connected. Their support keeps me motivated and helps me stay on track with my work.

How do you stay connected with friends? Have you met friends through online school?

I stay connected in a bunch of ways. I created a chat group with my classmates, so we can talk, share ideas, and help each other with assignments. I’ve met up with some friends outside of class, too. Online school with K12 makes it easier to meet people with similar interests, and I’ve found that it’s totally possible to build real friendships—even if we don’t see each other in person every day.

Are you in any school clubs?

I’m in my school’s garden club, math club, Rock and Roll Academy, National Honors Society (NHS), AP® club, computer science club, and SkillsUSA. I am also the marketing coordinator in my school’s Associated Student Body (ASB).

What are your hobbies?

I love learning about cars—how they work, how to skillfully race them, and I even check out local listings to find cool and unique vehicles. I also do a lot of 3D printing. While my printer is running, I can work on homework, which means I’m basically doing two things at once.

I’m part of the K12 National Robotics League with two friends, and we watch videos together every Friday to figure out how to program virtual LEGO robots. For music, I play guitar and electric bass. I learn from YouTube videos, and take lessons through Rock and Roll Academy and locally.

Exercise is a big part of my routine. Thanks to online school, I can fit all these activities into my week without feeling rushed or like I’m missing out on things I enjoy.

Can you tell us about your workspace?

My workspace is honestly my creative safe space where anything feels possible. I love that I get to customize my room—it’s filled with game posters that show off my personality, and I have a whiteboard where I keep track of assignments and ideas. I’m surrounded by my instruments, which makes it easy to play whenever I need inspiration. It’s a place where I can focus on school, work on projects, and be creative, all in one spot. Plus, it’s totally mine, so I can make it as unique as me.

At the start of last summer, my team and I traveled to the K12 Robotics League final. We won the whole thing! After all the excitement, I went back to the hotel and completed my finals right there. It was pretty wild to go from a robotics championship to finishing schoolwork in a hotel room, but that’s one of the cool things about online school—you can complete work from anywhere.

My Future

Do you feel that online school at CAVA is helping you prepare for the future?

I definitely feel like it’s helping me get ready for what’s next. For starters, it’s teaching me how to manage my time and stay organized, which is super important for college and any career. I’m able to take advanced classes, and I’m working toward applying to state universities. I build teamwork and problem-solving skills. Plus, I get to work on independent projects, like my book, and I can fit in volunteering. All of this is helping me build the skills and experience I’ll need in the future.

Thank you, Noah! To learn more about the K12 Student Advisory Council, visit their webpage, or see how your student can thrive in online school with K12-powered programs in California.

Noah is a 2025 student at a K12-powered school in CA, and their statement reflects their experience at their school.