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

By: Maxwell Z., 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 Maxwell had to say. 

What do you like about online learning at Ohio Virtual Academy (OHVA)? 

I really enjoy OHVA for a few different reasons. The first is definitely the opportunities I get to build a skillset for my future career. I also have an extremely flexible schedule, allowing me to work on what I choose.  

I’ve always been in an online school. In fact, I’ve been at a K12-powered school for 11 years, since I was in kindergarten. 

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

On an ordinary day, I usually get up around 7:30 AM and begin my first class at 8:15 AM. I work until approximately noon and then take a short lunch break. Generally speaking, I have all of my work finished by 3 PM. This varies daily due to my altered schedule to fit in college courses, but the time frame is about the same all week. 

What kind of classes are you taking right now?

Right now, I have a fairly light high school course load, consisting of English, science, algebra, and some career-focused extracurriculars. Last semester, I took both English and history at the college level, which somewhat freed up my schedule this semester.

Can you tell me more about your teachers?

I have several very knowledgeable teachers at OHVA who know how to convey information extremely well. I particularly enjoy my Honors biology class which has helped me work on my time-management skills through a fun group debate project. This was well-orchestrated by my biology teacher who has an excellent grasp on the way students work. 

What activities or hobbies do you enjoy in your free time?

I have a passion for filmmaking, which is not only helped schedule-wise but also facilitated by the career courses I am taking. I learn helpful skills while I’m in school, and then my flexible schedule allows me to put those skills to use on my own time. 

I like to spend my breaks from school work making props and doing some editing on my various film projects. I also work on writing scripts for my YouTube videos.  

Tell us about your workspace. What’s special about it to you? 

My workspace is set up with my laptop and an older Mac computer. This allows me to work on math problems on one screen with a graphing calculator on the other. The workspace also doubles as my personal setup for working in compositing, editing, and 3D software.  

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

Online school is definitely preparing me for the future. I’ve been able to take advanced courses, college courses, and secure an internship, all of which have been extremely helpful in my career plan. 

Thank you, Maxwell! 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 Ohio. 

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

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