January 2024 – Students of the Month
Congrats to our January Students of the Month!
As we have entered a new calendar year and braved some winter weather, these students were selected after impressive showings in their respective program & in the classroom over the last month! Scroll down to read our Q&A with each program’s Student of the Month selection.
January 2024 – Students of the Month:
- Brian (Options Westfield Middle School)
- Maddie (Simon Youth Academy at Options Noblesville)
- Baruch (Options with ABA)
- Leo (Options Westfield High School)
- Felix (Options Indiana Middle School)
- Nico (Options Indiana South)
Brian
Options Westfield Middle School
Grade: 6th
When did you begin attending Options?
A couple of months ago.
Why do you think you were selected as a Student of the Month?
I’m usually nice and whenever someone needs help, I’m usually the first one to ask if I can help them.
Do you have any hobbies or ways you enjoy spending your free time?
I compete in Diving, both springboard and platform, so that keeps me busy because we practice several days a week at IUPUI in Indianapolis. I’ve been doing it for three years and really enjoy participating, and also watching professional divers.
What have you enjoyed most about the Options experience?
I like the teachers and some of the activities we do in class. In art class we do a bunch of different fun things. I’m learning a lot of new stuff too.
What is your favorite subject in school?
Science, specifically rocket science.
Have you improved in any areas since starting at Options?
I’m less stressed. At my previous school, they would just assign the work and go over it once, so if you didn’t understand or struggled, you were on your own and that was hard to handle.
Do you have a favorite teacher or staff member?
Jason. He’s my science teacher, and he’s really nice & kind. Amy and Ann Marie are great too. They’re all really helpful, especially if I’m having a tough day focusing in the classroom.
Do you have any current plans or aspirations for after you graduate?
I want to get a college scholarship for Diving, and I have a goal of making it to the Olympics for Diving.
Maddie
Simon Youth Academy at Options Noblesville
Grade: 12th
When did you enroll at Options?
At the start of this school year in August.
Do you have any hobbies, passions, or ways you enjoy spending your free time?
I work out and practice taekwondo, and I also like to draw and read. I used to do krav maga with my mom and sister, and now I’m in taekwondo. I love history, so I like reading books about history, like now I’m reading a book about the global history of World War II.
What have you enjoyed most about the Options experience?
I have really liked it here, especially the sense of community. Everyone here is mature also, so there’s a couple things I like.
What is your favorite subject in school?
Definitely history.
Do you have a favorite teacher or staff member?
Probably Padam, Stacie and Josh.
Have you improved in any areas since starting at Options?
I would say socially. I am very shy when it comes to meeting new people, but I’ve become a bit more outgoing and more comfortable.
Do you have any current plans or aspirations for after you graduate?
Something that I’ve always been interested in is history. At first, I was thinking about becoming a history teacher, but I’m leaning towards elementary school education now.
Baruch
Options with ABA
Grade: 12th
Quote from teacher about student’s successes…
“Baruch has shown great progress with his independent work and increasing his confidence in everyday tasks. He is such a joy to have in class and is such a sweet-natured, bright young man.”
When did you begin attending Options?
In 2021
Do you have any hobbies or ways you enjoy spending your free time?
I enjoy editing videos, watching movies, singing, and acting.
What is your favorite thing about attending Options with ABA?
I enjoy using the computer and working on vocation tasks.
What is your favorite subject in school?
I enjoy math, because I am really good with numbers and calculations.
Have you improved in any areas since enrolling at Options?
I have improved my collaboration skills with my classmates and advocating for myself.
Do you have any current plans or aspirations for after you graduate?
I would like to pursue a career working with computers in animation or video editing.
Leo
Options Westfield High School
Grade: 11th
When did you begin attending Options?
I started here as a freshman in August 2021.
Away from school, do you have any hobbies or ways you enjoy spending your free time?
I like figure skating and drawing. I’ve been taking figure skating lessons for about four years now and can do spins and jumps.
What have you enjoyed most about the Options experience?
I like the people here. That is how I found my friend group. I am also in the ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ club, which is a lot of fun.
What is your favorite subject in school?
History. I just find it really interesting to learn about.
Do you have a favorite Options teacher or staff member?
My favorites are probably Shawn, Emily and Diana. They’re all super nice and friendly.
Have you improved in any areas since you first started attending Options?
I feel like I am more confident and talkative. Previously I used to be much quieter and kept to myself.
Do you have any current plans or aspirations for after you graduate?
I love animals, so something animal related. Possibly veterinary or zoo related.
Feilx
Options Indiana Middle School
Grade: 7th
Hometown: Fishers / Indianapolis
When did you enroll at Options?
October 2023
Do you have any hobbies, passions or ways you enjoy spending your free time?
Arts & crafts, music, animals (especially dinosaurs, foxes & snails).
What is your favorite thing about Options Indiana?
Flexibility and easy help access.
What is your favorite subject in school?
English – I enjoy writing and school often motivates me to do so, and I love reading.
Do you have a favorite teacher or staff member in Options Indiana?
Mrs. Kiersten – She always helps when I need it, and is supportive and encouraging.
Have you improved in any areas since enrolling at Options?
The way all subjects are taught at Options is easier for me to understand than previous school experiences, which has helped a lot in areas I have struggled with.
Do you have any current plans or aspirations for after you graduate?
So far I want to be a paleontologist or paleo artist, as I have a great interest in prehistoric creatures and events, specifically learning how they lived and exploring ideas that other scientists haven’t. I want to do this because I believe that learning about other species could help humans improve too, as well as broaden our imagination for what earth could have been like.
Nico
Options Indiana South
Grade: 12th
When did you begin attending Options?
I enrolled in Options Indiana in 2023.
Away from school, do you have any hobbies or ways you enjoy spending your free time?
My hobbies include building race cars and working on motorcycles.
Do you have a favorite Options teacher or staff member?
All of my teachers are my favorites. They are easy to get along with and very helpful with school advice and even with things outside of school.
What have you enjoyed most about the Options experience?
My favorite thing about options is the flexibility, being a full-time employee and a full-time student is hard at times but the flexibility helps relieve stress when doing school work.
What is your favorite subject in school?
My favorite subject in school is Science, the reason being I’ve always had an interest in space and how things were created. Space is an interesting topic to talk about.
Have you improved in any areas since you first started attending Options?
I feel like I’ve improved in most of my classes because I can take my time with the classes. After all, I’m not being rushed to complete them.
Do you have any current plans or aspirations for when you’re older, or after you graduate?
My current plans after high school are to continue with the automotive industry.
* About Options Schools *
Founded in 2002, Options Schools are free, public charter schools serving grade 6-12 students in all 92 school districts in the state of Indiana. With a high-quality, individualized approach to education, Options Schools specializes in providing students with an inclusive environment, unparalleled support, and a student-to-teacher ratio of 15-to-1. With brick-and-mortar campuses in Noblesville and Westfield, Options also offers additional programs in virtual & in-person formats.
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