November is Military Family Appreciation Month, so we wanted to highlight one of our Ohio eSchool military families – the Basford family.

They’ve been a part of Ohio Virtual Academy (OHVA) ever since their oldest son didn’t want to go back in-person to learn after COVID, so they gave online schools a chance.

Two of her sons are currently enrolled in OHVA, Colton and Kannon, and both have taken to the online learning environment for different reasons.

Nine-year-old Colton has been able to work ahead as a student who felt held back in the brick-and-mortar classrooms because of the singular work pace.

Misty Basford, his mother, shared that he always struggled with impatience in school because he worked so quickly. “

“Since OHVA is tailored to each student, he was able to work at his own speed and at his own level,” she said.

Her younger son, 7-year-old Kannon, has benefitted from an Individualized Education Program (IEP).

“Small groups help him be heard and seen,” Misty said.

Outside of the ability for each of her sons to learn at the pace best suited for them, Misty shared several other reasons why their family has decided to stick with online school.

“As a family we love to travel,” she shared. Online school “gives us the freedom to explore, bond and learn through visiting locations.” Along with more flexibility to travel as a family, Misty has gotten to spend a lot more time with her sons and watch them learn new concepts.

Misty also pushed back on the misconception many have about eschools. “I think a lot of people think they have to be the teacher. They don’t know that the kids have teachers, class and classmates,” she said.

While online school isn’t necessarily the fit for every student or family, the Basford’s have experienced a lot of the benefits firsthand.

Misty had this to say to parents considering enrolling their child in an eschool: “Give it a try! It’s not permanent and if it’s not a fit, you can always go back to the local school.”