From Worry to Peace of Mind: How a Mom of Four Found the Right Fit for Her Family at DAOF 

For Sonja, finding the right school for her twin sons, Lucas and Gabriel, was about more than academics. She wanted both boys to feel supported, understood, and happy in their learning environment. 

After seeing how online learning helped her older daughter navigate significant medical challenges while completing her education, Sonja knew K12 could offer her sons another path. Today, she’s grateful to see Lucas growing in confidence, enjoying new experiences and feeling more comfortable with school at Digital Academy of Florida (DAOF). 

When School Became a Daily Struggle 

Lucas, who has autism, ADHD, a speech impairment, and a learning disability, found the transition to traditional school challenging. Everyday routines and the demands of the classroom could be overwhelming, and Sonja often worried about how he was feeling while away from home. 

As Lucas struggled to adjust, the experience began affecting the entire family. Gabriel sometimes found himself worrying about his brother instead of being able to focus fully on his own school experience. Meanwhile, Sonja felt anxious sending Lucas to school each morning, never knowing how the day might go. 

“I cried every day. Yeah, I was so depressed,” Sonja recalled. “I think the worst thing for a parent is when you see that your kid is not happy.” 

She knew her sons needed a different approach to learning. Fortunately, Sonja had already seen how K12 could support a student through her older daughter, who completed her education with the program while navigating significant medical challenges. That experience gave her confidence that online learning could offer Lucas and Gabriel a more supportive path. 

A Familiar School Brings a New Beginning 

With her previous experience in mind, Sonja enrolled Lucas and Gabriel at DAOF, a tuition-free online public school powered by K12. She hoped the change would give her sons the flexibility and support they needed to learn in a way that worked for them. 

At DAOF, Sonja found teachers who were willing to communicate, collaborate, and work with Lucas at his own pace. His school day includes additional support and speech services, and when he becomes overwhelmed, he has the opportunity to take a break before returning to his lessons. 

For Sonja, that flexibility has made a meaningful difference. Instead of feeling pressured to push through every challenge, Lucas can work through difficult moments with support from his teachers and family. 

“There’s never pressure on us in any kind of way for him,” Sonja explained. “He has to push himself, and I think that’s what makes Lucas comfortable now with school. That there’s no pressure.” 

She also appreciates the relationships she has built with his teachers, who have made her feel like a partner in his education. 

“I never had a bad experience,” she said. “They’re very friendly, very understanding.” 

Finding Confidence Beyond the Classroom 

Since making the switch to DAOF, Sonja has seen Lucas grow in ways that extend well beyond his schoolwork. He is more comfortable expressing himself, more willing to try new things, and increasingly confident in who he is. 

Activities that once felt difficult have become opportunities for him to connect with others. Lucas now plays soccer, talks with his teammates, and enjoys being out on the field.  

Sonja has noticed the difference, too. People in their neighborhood have commented on how much Lucas has changed, and she sees a happier, more confident child who is proud of himself. 

“He has more confidence than anybody in this house at this point,” she said. 

Lucas has even made his own feelings about his future clear. He has told his mom that he plans to graduate with K12 and has no intention of returning to a traditional school. 

“He told me that he will graduate with K12,” Sonja said. “There’s no option for me. He doesn’t want to go back to in-person school.” 

For Sonja, seeing him feel good about himself and his education is one of the biggest rewards of the change. 

Helping Other Families Find Their Way 

Sonja knows that online learning can take some getting used to, especially for families navigating technology, live classes, and online testing for the first time. Her advice to parents who are considering the switch is to give it a chance and be patient while everyone adjusts. 

Over time, the routine has become a natural part of the family’s day. Lucas now helps get his laptop ready in the morning, and Sonja has seen him take more ownership of his learning. 

Sonja also values the close relationships she has built with Lucas’s teachers, describing their approach as a collaborative effort to help him succeed. 

“I feel like we’re all family members,” she said. “We all work together with Lucas.” 

For Sonja, the greatest measure of success isn’t just academic progress. It’s seeing her children feel safe, supported, and happy. 

“That’s all you can ask for as a parent,” she said, “when you know that your kids are happy.” 

Learn more about how Digital Academy of Florida supports students’ unique learning needs by visiting our academics page, https://daof.k12.com/academics/.  

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