A new K12-commissioned survey reveals today’s high school grads are thinking differently about the future. While 90% plan to attend college, many are also eyeing nontraditional paths—34% feel social media pressure to become influencers, and 56% say their schools encouraged them to explore careers like gig work, trades, or content creation. As grads step into adulthood, financial literacy and real-world skills are top of mind, especially in a rapidly evolving economy.
Christiana “Roo” Truebenbach, a 17-year-old 11th grader at Washington Virtual Academies, will represent Team USA at the ICF Stand Up Paddling World Championships in Italy. She earned her spot at the USA SUP National Championships in Gig Harbor, winning the 10K, sprint and technical races and collecting four medals. She credits WAVA’s flexible schedule with helping her balance school, training and travel.
K12 Private Academy, the tuition-based private online school in the Stride network, ranks fifth among nine accredited online schools for New Jersey families. With no tuition-free virtual public school in the state, K12PA offers a large course catalog, a mature platform and established transcripts, making it a fit for families wanting course breadth from an established provider.
Susan Boyer, executive director of Washington Virtual Academies and a Yelm parent, explains how the tuition-free K-12 online public school in the Omak School District offers public education from home, not homeschooling. All four of her children attend WAVA, which blends live classes with certificated Washington teachers, book work and clubs like esports, art and baking. She says the flexibility lets students pursue interests and supports learners who need a different approach.