Jordan Mays (8th Grade): Softball, Golf
Jordan Mays is an 8th grader who has been an active softball player and who has recently started competing in golf. Her plan has long been to get better at sports while improving her grades.
Unfortunately, her parents were concerned about the lack of attention she was getting in crowded public school classrooms.
After moving to Method Schools, Mays says the transition has improved her performance in the classroom.
“I feel like I’m learning more than in public school,” she explains. “There’s always a teacher available, so no matter when you have a question or when you need to go into a Zoom meeting, there’s always a teacher there. It’s great that no matter what my schedule is, it still fits in.”
Rather than being restricted by a strict bell schedule, Mays says she’s able to carve out a schedule that fits her lifestyle. Typically, that includes school from 7:30 a.m. to noon. If she has training during that time, she’ll complete school work earlier and train in the morning.
Mays hopes to use her newly formed routines and Method’s support to launch into postsecondary opportunities. She’s currently eying schools in the Ivy League as well as University of Iowa, University of Kansas, and California Baptist University.
Dylan Darnley (12th grade): Mountain Biking
Dillon Darlene is a high school senior who has a passion for mountain biking. Prior to moving to school online, she says she was struggling to balance a vigorous schedule that was packed with athletics and academics.
Her typical schedule calls for daily weight training or riding on top of schooling. Squeezing training into a traditional school schedule wasn’t working.
She says the flexibility at Method has allowed her to access academic support when she needs it and lets her build out a training schedule that doesn’t conflict with her other responsibilities.
“It’s super flexible, so I don’t have to do 9-3 school,” she explains. “ I can do it when it’s best for my schedule.”
Now, she’s able to complete work on a computer or phone as she travels for events and training—all alongside a supportive group of leaders. She explains: “Teachers help me schedule and plan before big races, so I’m not struggling during the races or travel.”
Makayla Moss (11th grade): Competitive Surfing
Makayla Moss is an 11th grader who has been surfing competitively for six years. Prior to attending Method, she was already transitioning back and forth between online and public school. At the same time, she was struggling to balance school and sports with a job.
When COVID-19 started shaking up the education industry, the new changes just made managing her schedule too difficult. When her grades started slipping amid the back and forth between two schools, sports, and work, she decided to turn to Method Schools.
Now, her academic performance is on the rise and she’s enjoying a balanced schedule. In addition to the ability to work from anywhere, she says she’s enjoyed being able to learn at her own pace.
“Method is different from public school distance learning programs because I can meet with [advisors] to talk about my grades and getting into classes,” she says. “I can get my stuff together with pacing guides ... and it’s just nice being able to work at my own pace.”
Moss is enjoying the move so much that she recommends it to other student athletes.
“I’d say to just enroll in Method because it’s probably going to be a really good decision for you and your training,” she says. “It’s very flexible, and I 100 percent recommend it.”
