I just began my senior year, which means that this is my fourth year loving Davidson Academy Online. Of course, its academics are excellent, but its supportive and enthusiastic teachers and community, focus on independence and personal development, and general care for its students mean that DAO is a superb school in every category. I am so glad that I took the risk of applying to an online school, and I hope that anyone interested in DAO takes the same risk.
The initial reason I came to DAO was the academics, and I was not disappointed. In my previous schooling and in the search for an appropriate high school, the phrase “not being challenged” cropped up quite a bit. By now, I have almost forgotten what that means. DAO classes move quickly, and critical thinking is the omnipresent objective. Students are constantly challenged to understand complex arguments, apply what they know to novel situations, and combine old concepts to solve new problems. I used to be able to rapidly write the first draft of an essay and submit it without fear of receiving less than an A, or solve a sheet of math problems in minutes by applying the same procedure over and over again. Not so at DAO. The standards here force me to examine my techniques, innovate to solve problems, and truly understand the material, and my proficiency in every subject has improved immensely because of it.
I am constantly amazed at the breadth of DAO education. More specifically than general academics, I came to DAO for high level math classes, but it is possible to take such classes online or in local universities (though, after trying both, I still prefer DAO classes). What took me by surprise was the variety, intensity and quality across the board. Most transparently, I struggle to think of another school where the electives “Mythology,” “Intro to Aviation,” and “Animal Ethics” might have appeared on my transcript, but I have benefitted most from this universal distinction in my core classes. English has consistently been the most difficult subject for me, but it is also the subject in which I have improved the most, because I am held to the same level of rigor as I am in math classes.
I have had similar experiences while learning history, Spanish, science, and everything else at DAO. Three years ago, going to a regular high school and taking college courses in math seemed like a reasonable path; I had no idea of the rich and varied education I would have lost. However, by DAO’s nature, the extensive curriculum will sometimes be exhausted by its outstanding students. In this case, the faculty will find students appropriate college courses to continue their education. This year, they went so far as to create the temporary class “Special Topics in Math” for me and two other students who have finished DAO’s math course progression. No matter the subject, no matter the level, DAO provides an unmatched level of education for its students.
My biggest fear when applying to DAO was the online environment. The pandemic was actually the event that eliminated that concern; while my traditionally in-person school handled the transition to online learning terribly, the experience convinced me that with adequate preparation and administration, online school could work. Yet DAO never does anything “adequately.” From First Year Seminar, to in-person retreats, to the Oracle program, to regular check-ins with counselors, DAO ensures that every student has the resources and interaction necessary to thrive online. Beyond participating together in class, the group projects, clubs, and countless Teams conversations I have had at DAO have made me plenty of friends, and seeing them at formal or informal retreats is always a highlight of my year. DAO will always be online, but it is evidence that being online and having a strong community are not mutually exclusive.
I realized very quickly after coming to DAO just how lucky I was. Lucky that I was recently convinced of the validity of online education; lucky that I chose to apply; certainly lucky that I got in. Events lined up in just the right way for me to receive a magnificent high school education and high school experience that I would not trade for any other. I am so glad I joined Davidson Academy Online.
– Cooper, Davidson Academy Online Student
Adapted from a “Student to Student” profile originally shared in our newsletter. Subscribe >