Flexible Schooling Options for Competitive Athletes and Performers

Trevor is only 15, but his talents in baseball have already earned attention from scouts and taken him to games around the world. Claudia is a 12-year-old piano prodigy who travels to perform with orchestras and other musical groups across the country. 

Despite Trevor and Claudia’s unique interests, many people ask them the same question: What about school?

It’s important that Trevor and Claudia’s exceptional abilities be appreciated and nurtured not just for their own benefit and enjoyment, but also for the community at large. Regardless, school is a must and will serve them well for years to come. Both Trevor and Claudia need an alternative to get through it and get the most out of it. 

Enter Brightmont Academy… 

Flexible scheduling

Brightmont becomes the obvious choice for families who need a flexible schedule. Even full-time enrollment allows great latitude in when students participate in class.

Brightmont is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. (5 p.m. on Friday) at 25 campuses across the United States. Classes are held in 55-minute increments starting at 30 minutes past the hour in the mornings and on the hour in the afternoons (there is a half-hour break for students and teachers alike at 12:30 p.m.). 

With 44 hours of class time per week at a family’s disposal, the options for scheduling are limitless. Families may opt for morning sessions, afternoon sessions, or a mix of both, as well as specific days of the week, to make the best and most convenient plan possible. Furthermore, most Brightmont students generally don’t have to attend more than four hours a day to keep pace with their peers in traditional schools—and even advance beyond them. 

Online options

It’s a sign of our times: online options are a must—and Brightmont delivers. Brightmont’s online learning program is designed to offer the flexible and virtual options many families need. 

Even if a performance or sporting event takes a student to the other side of the globe, Brightmont is committed to offering quality and customized learning experiences. All online teachers follow a mastery-based learning model and oversee the pace and practices that nurture recall and application. Perhaps online learning options aren’t needed now but maybe later? Rolling admissions ensures that a student may enroll in online learning or any of Brightmont’s programs any time of year. 

While flexible scheduling and global online access are often enough to convince families that Brightmont is the best option for their athletes and performers, there’s one more factor that really makes Brightmont the clear choice.

One-to-one school

Brightmont is known as “the one-to-one school,” meaning no matter the class or classroom, there is one teacher to one student. 

This one-to-one model caters well to busy athletes and performers since the undivided attention of Brightmont’s teachers ensures students are getting the richest educational experience possible despite other passions and priorities. It’s not about just checking a box when it comes to getting through school. With Brightmont, students are just as exposed to challenge and just as practiced at higher level thinking—if not more so—through readings, discussions, writing assignments, and other coursework. In other words, there’s no sitting in the back of a classroom and flying under the radar; Brightmont students are held accountable to every facet of the curriculum. 

So… What about school, Trevor and Claudia? For athletes, performers, and so many others, Brightmont provides not only an answer, but also the very best option for both flexible and engaging education. Brightmont takes great pride in this—and celebrates all student accomplishments, whether at school, on the field, or in a concert hall!

Barbara Farland is an English & Social Studies instructor at Brightmont Academy in Plymouth, Minn. She holds a master’s degree in Business Communication from the University of St. Thomas and, prior to pursuing a second career in education, worked as an award-winning public relations and communications professional in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors. As a “storyteller by nature and teacher at heart,” Barbara continues to contribute to various anthologies, among other writing projects.