How Options Indiana Helped Drew Prass Find Success
Every student’s path to graduation is unique, but some journeys require more courage, resilience, and the willingness to explore new possibilities. For Stacey Prass and her son Drew, traditional schooling presented countless hurdles. When Drew’s struggle with conventional classrooms threatened his confidence and future, Options Schools’ fully online program, Options Indiana, offered a lifeline. Drew not only graduated, he did so with honors, and transformed his outlook on learning and life. This is their story of perseverance, hope, and the power of finding the right fit.
Meeting Students Where They Are
Not every learner thrives in a traditional classroom. Crowded hallways, constant social pressures, and rigid timetables can be overwhelming for some students. This environment can create anxiety, magnify learning challenges, and even push students to consider giving up on their education.
Stacey Prass saw these struggles firsthand as her son Drew navigated the minefield of conventional schooling. “It was always a challenge for him to be in a school environment,” Stacey recalls. Drew enjoyed the social aspects but found the academic environment overwhelming. Despite their best efforts as parents—including doctors’ visits and countless meetings with teachers and counselors—nothing seemed to ease Drew’s distress.
The Turning Point Finding Options Indiana
During Drew’s brief transition to Fishers High School, things reached a crisis point. Stacey remembers, “He came home and he cried, and he said, ‘I will never go back.’” It was clear that continuing to force Drew into an environment that drained him was not the answer.
Desperate for alternatives, Stacey and her family searched for a solution that would protect Drew’s well-being and still provide him with a quality education. “We found Options through Fishers High School,” Stacey shares. This connection opened the door to a new way of learning and a renewed sense of hope.
Choosing an alternative educational path is not easy. Families often wrestle with concerns about social stigma, academic quality, and whether the program will truly meet their child’s needs. But for the Prass family, the risk was worth it. “If it wasn’t for Fishers giving us that other option, he may have dropped out of school,” Stacey says. “He needs to be in his own space; he likes to teach himself.”
Building a Personalized Learning Experience
From the start, Options Indiana’s fully online program stood apart. The program’s flexible structure allowed Drew to create a schedule that worked for him and to engage with coursework at his own pace. For a student who found crowded classrooms intimidating and needed time to process information independently, this approach made a world of difference.
Stacey emphasizes, “He likes to teach himself.” This autonomy, combined with ongoing support from dedicated staff such as Whitney at Options Indiana, gave Drew room to rediscover his curiosity and build confidence. Options Schools’ commitment to Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) meant that Drew’s learning challenges and strengths were recognized and respected, not ignored or labeled.
During those initial months, the adjustment was not always easy. Like any change, it took time for Drew to build new routines and trust a new system. But with empathy, encouragement, and a program designed to adapt to his needs, Drew began to thrive.
Life Changing Impact for Drew and His Family
The transformation in Drew’s academic performance and emotional well-being was remarkable. “He’s out in the world, hanging with his friends, doing the things he enjoys,” Stacey beams. For years, anxiety and frustration overshadowed Drew’s school experience; now, he was not only completing assignments independently but doing so with enthusiasm. “Drew graduated with honors.”
Importantly, the Prass family saw firsthand the value of having a flexible, individualized educational experience. The trauma and stress caused by trying to force Drew to fit into a traditional setting faded away. “If it wasn’t for Fishers giving us that other option, he may have dropped out of school.”
Options Schools doesn’t just help students receive a high school diploma; it gives them a second chance at believing in themselves. For Drew, success in this setting proved that he could overcome challenges and achieve what once seemed impossible.
Achieving Graduation and Opening New Doors
Graduation was not just a milestone for Drew; it was a victory for the entire family and a testament to Drew’s hard work. Stacey recalls watching both the virtual and in-person ceremonies with tears of joy. “I cried through the whole entire thing.”
Drew’s story dispels the myth that fully online students miss out on social opportunities or personal growth. Far from becoming isolated, Drew rebuilt his social life and gained the confidence to look toward higher education. Remarkably, Drew is now considering college, a goal that before Options Indiana “would have never come out of Drew’s mouth.”
Other families have noticed Drew’s progress too. “A lot of his friends…called him, and they’ve been here every single [day],” says Stacey. The fear that Drew would lose touch with friends proved unfounded.
Why Alternative Education Matters
Options Indiana’s web-based curriculum and student-centered approach empower students who need a different environment than what most schools can provide. Thousands of students and families share stories like Drew’s each year:
- Parents seeking support outside crowded classrooms.
- Students balancing school with sports, work, or family obligations.
- Young adults who want to learn at their own pace, without distractions.
Every student deserves a chance to succeed, regardless of how they learn best. “There’s schools like you guys… there’s people that care,” Stacey asserts. “It’s never too late to follow your dreams and your goals and just to be who you are.”
Your Opportunity to Explore Options Indiana
Drew’s story is proof that finding the right educational fit can unlock a student’s potential. Options Indiana’s fully online program empowers students and families, turning anxiety and frustration into independence, achievement, and hope for the future.
If your child or student is struggling in a traditional setting, consider exploring Options Indiana’s flexible, individualized educational approach. Our community is here to support, encourage, and help every student discover their own unique path to success.
Discover all that’s possible with Options Schools. Your story can begin today.
