In January of 2021, after eight years of public school, one year of asynchronous online school, countless test cancellations in the midst of the pandemic, and hours of research trying to find a place where I could flourish, I finally found myself moments from beginning my live session assessment at Davidson Academy Online. I clicked on the Zoom link. My entire computer froze. I missed half an hour of the assessment.
I tried every solution under the sun while at least three different staff members attempted to help me sort the technical issues. But what I remember most about that morning was how every single one of them treated me with such patience and encouragement that I forgot to be nervous. It was then, while I stared at a grayed-out Zoom screen, that I knew I had fallen in love with the school.
The atmosphere at DAO is unmatched. Classmates and faculty alike are genuinely supportive, and in all settings from the classroom to our annual Pi Day community meeting, our common goal is apparent: to learn, and to help others do the same. I have found that there is nothing more rewarding than participating in a small, thoughtful conversation about a topic that genuinely fascinates me, surrounded by people who want to be there just as much as I do. DAO’s grouping of students based on ability rather than age fosters interactions across grades, and the diverse array of interests and experiences each student (and instructor) brings to class makes for delightfully rich discussions. In the past, school had felt like a hindrance to my academic development. At DAO, for the first time, I have finally found myself able to learn from my schoolwork instead of on the side.
DAO has also given me the opportunity to try new things and join clubs and classes I’d never thought I’d find myself participating in. While virtually every person I’ve met at DAO is an expert in something, whether it’s math or the lore of a particular book series, I have always felt encouraged to explore new subjects outside of my comfort zone and venture into areas I don’t know much about; I was surprised by how much I enjoyed taking Photography, and by the lasting impact that American Literature has had on me. The classes offered at DAO, taught by knowledgeable, supportive instructors, have allowed me to discover and develop my own abilities and interests. My very first semester at DAO, I took a philosophy elective that was perhaps the most difficult course I had ever taken. Still, I found myself absolutely enraptured by the material, and I adored the class—not in spite of the challenge, but because of it. DAO has allowed me to pursue my interest in philosophy and other subjects through their unique course offerings as well as the support they have lent me to explore opportunities outside of school.
Yet, beyond the academic rigor and intellectual stimulation DAO offers, what amazes me the most is the community—the celebration of every individual’s uniqueness and the different perspectives each person has to offer. I love the tight-knit, small-school feel we have here, the nerdy humor we share, and the inside jokes that have been circulating for years among the students and staff. I am constantly learning from the people at DAO, from concepts in chemistry, to details about their oddly specific hobbies, to being a more empathetic human being. At my previous schools, my intense interests and penchant for long-winded rambles about my favorite topics had made me feel like an outsider. Here, all those idiosyncrasies I had once tried to hide are more than accepted; they’re recognized as part of who I am, and the way DAO has welcomed me has made me a more considerate and open-minded person. Despite the fact that we’re miles apart from each other, I feel closer to the people at DAO than I have ever felt at another school.
– Olivia, Davidson Academy Online Student
Adapted from a “Student to Student” profile originally shared in our newsletter. Subscribe >