Zoe received good grades and was a pleasure in the classroom, but struggled with having to conform to her school’s curriculum. Her parents found BLC when looking for a more personalized and flexible learning environment. Zoe joined BLC in May of 2019 and since then has rediscovered a passion for learning. She enjoys the time and space to do the things she loves which includes science, art and playing Dungeons and Dragons.

Testimonial by Emma, Zoe’s mom:

Zoe was struggling at her local school to conform to her teachers’ rigid expectations for assignments and projects. She felt miserable, her attendance was poor, and we knew something had to change. Her teachers all reported that she was a pleasure to teach in class and her grades were excellent, so we had a hard time figuring out what accommodations would help her. We worked with the kind, dedicated staff to try several, but nothing solved her situation. Since her school had over 1,000 students enrolled, we decided to look for a smaller, more flexible learning environment. That’s when we found Bucks Learning Cooperative. After getting to know the current students and finding them to be welcoming and positive, Zoe agreed to give it a try. We’re all so glad she did.

BLC’s focus on students’ interests and developing passions has led Zoe to increase the time she has for her art projects. Now she has an extensive portfolio. She’s also spent quite a lot of time woodworking, baking and gardening at home, which absolutely contributes to her education and her happiness. She’s joined a virtual BLC Dungeons and Dragons group that meets on weekends, and her dad volunteer-teaches a science class once a week. Last year it was biology; this year it will be physics. Zoe’s humorous-but-informative presentation on her ‘favorite’ poison for biology class last year caused her zero anxiety. In fact, she was greatly enthusiastic about it and thrived on the encouraging feedback she received.

This result is exactly what we were hoping to achieve by sending Zoe to BLC—for her to rediscover an earnest love of learning, surrounded by a small group of creative, inquisitive peers. BLC’s student mentorship and parental guidance, along with classes that genuinely interest teens and knowledgeable, enthusiastic teachers deliver a much more rewarding environment to Zoe compared to traditional homeschooling and her previous school.