Audrey Finds the Freedom to Follow Her Passions at Alabama Virtual Academy

For Alabama Virtual Academy (ALVA) senior Audrey, school is just one part of a busy life filled with music, creativity, travel and big plans for the future. Thanks to the flexibility of virtual learning, she has been able to make room for all of it. 

Audrey has attended ALVA since sixth grade, and her experience has helped her discover that learning doesn’t have to fit into a traditional 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. schedule. 

“It’s nice not having to get a doctor’s note when we go to the doctor or things like that,” her mother, Staci, says. “It just feels like we get to live our lives while she’s still learning.” 

Making Time for Music 

One of Audrey’s biggest passions is music. After trying guitar in third grade, she discovered that drums were more her style and received her first drum set nearly three years ago. She practiced in her basement before attending Reach and Teach, an Alabama nonprofit that introduces high school students to the entertainment industry. 

That experience helped Audrey connect with other musicians and eventually led her to the band she now plays with. The group is preparing for a tour performing at college events and other venues. 

For Audrey, being able to dedicate hours each day to practicing while keeping up with school is one of the biggest benefits of virtual learning. 

“I practice upwards of five to eight hours a day, and I would be up all night if I was in real school and had to do that still,” she says. 

Her long-term goal is to continue playing with the band and eventually create original music. 

Getting Ahead … While Looking Ahead 

Music isn’t Audrey’s only pursuit. Through ALVA’s dual-enrollment opportunities, she is on track to earn an associate degree in art from Jefferson State Community College before finishing high school. She is also completing coursework through the school’s business Career and Technical Education program. 

The flexibility of virtual learning has also allowed Audrey to travel with her family without putting her education on hold. Whether completing schoolwork from a hotel room during a concert trip or working ahead before traveling for family commitments, Audrey has learned how to take ownership of her education. 

“You have to be good at managing yourself,” she says. 

Room to Create 

Audrey’s creativity extends beyond music. She runs her own crochet business and enjoys taking on ambitious projects, including a Fourth Wing-themed blanket she made as a Christmas gift and an album-cover pillow she is currently making for her bass player. 

As she prepares for graduation, Audrey is looking forward to prom, continuing to perform and exploring what comes next. For her, ALVA has provided something invaluable: the freedom to pursue her interests while staying focused on her education. 

“I really like that I’m able to get my work done,” Audrey says – and that freedom has given her the opportunity to do much more than just finish high school. 

Is Online Learning Right for Your Family? 

Alabama Virtual Academy is a full-time, tuition-free online public school that serves K-12th grade students statewide. ALVA provides a high-quality education with personalized learning solutions designed to help students thrive in a virtual learning environment. Contact our team to learn more! 

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