Helping Students Pursue Their Passions Without Sacrificing Academics

For many families, afternoons and evenings are anything but quiet. Between sports practices, music lessons, competitions, performances, and other extracurricular activities, parents often find themselves juggling demanding schedules while trying to ensure their child stays on track academically. 

For Cointa, that balancing act has been a reality for years. 

Her son, William, is a sixth-grade student who has spent several years pursuing competitive golf while maintaining straight A’s and thriving at Digital Academy of Florida. As his commitment to the sport grew and tournaments became more frequent, Cointa knew she needed an educational option that could support both his academic success and his passion outside the classroom. 

That’s one of the reasons she chose K12. 

Since kindergarten, William has attended K12, giving him the flexibility to pursue his interests while continuing to excel academically. Over the years, he has grown into an honor student, advanced learner, and dedicated athlete, proving that students don’t have to choose between school and the activities they love. 

Finding Flexibility for a Busy Lifestyle 

Like many parents of students involved in sports, arts, or other extracurricular activities, Cointa wanted an education that could work alongside her son’s schedule instead of competing with it. 

As William became more involved in golf, practices, training sessions, and tournaments required significant time and commitment. Having the flexibility to adjust his school day, work ahead when needed, and learn from home allowed him to stay focused on both his education and his goals. 

The flexibility of virtual school has helped William manage a busy schedule while continuing to excel academically. He has been placed in advanced math and reading courses and consistently performs at a high level. 

For Cointa, the ability to create a schedule that supports both learning and personal interests has made all the difference. 

“I recommend K12 to everyone. In fact, several moms have enrolled their children after hearing about our experience. Some of them are even teachers, and they’ve shared how impressed they are with the system from an educator’s perspective. One teacher was so confident in the program that she transferred her own daughter to K12,” said Cointa. 

Teaching Important Life Skills Through Balance 

While William’s story involves golf, Cointa believes the lessons he has learned apply to any student pursuing something they’re passionate about. 

Whether it’s athletics, music, dance, art, theater, esports, or another hobby, balancing commitments requires responsibility, time management, and self-discipline. 

Cointa has always emphasized that school comes first. Her message to William has been simple: If he wants to continue pursuing golf, he must stay focused on his education. 

That mindset has helped him maintain straight A’s while managing a demanding schedule outside of school. 

“It has been very rewarding because all he has done is show how committed he is to everything he does,” she said. 

What Cointa Wants Other Parents to Know 

After six years with K12, Cointa regularly recommends virtual learning to other families, especially parents whose children have commitments outside of school. 

She believes many families assume they must choose between supporting their child’s interests and maintaining academic success. William’s experience has shown her that both can be possible. 

Whether a student dreams of competing in sports, performing on stage, creating art, traveling for competitions, or pursuing another passion, flexibility can help them stay engaged in both their education and the activities that inspire them. 

For Cointa, the greatest reward has not only been watching William earn top finishes in golf tournaments, but also watching him grow into a responsible, motivated student who works hard, pursues his goals, and continues discovering what he loves along the way. To keep up with William’s achievements on and off the course, follow his journey on Instagram here. 

Enrollment is still open for the 2026-27 school year! To learn more about Digital Academy of Florida, visit https://daof.k12.com/. 

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