Get to Know Ben

Ben began working with PacPrep in the spring of his junior year, transferring his current work load and respective credits accordingly. Then, he re-enrolled for his senior year and graduated with Pacific Preparatory.

In the interview below he compares PacPrep to his former, more traditional high school and offers insight into how our model differs from online learning during the pandemic.

It all started when…

Things weren’t going well.

Not to be dramatic, but that’s really how I got started. Without getting too precise, the last school I was at socially and academically was very hard. I needed some kind of alternative to have a decent time learning.

what were your thoughts or feelings initially?

Things that I had heard were intriguing and what I saw on the website looked cool. Although I didn’t like the idea of being on camera all the time. But, since working here, teachers have been really cool and very reasonable.

You’re right- our virtual, 1:1 model is quite wild. Can you think of anything else?

Yeah, I liked the idea of the school not being focused on just a 4-year university. The work didn’t need to be harder than it needed to be. In my previous school there were lots of expectations, even just with when you could use the restroom.

that’s a good point. As you think about classes, what’s working?

Grades are way less rigid. I know how I’m doing in each of my classes and it’s still school, but it’s not the most prevalent thing. Shorter classes and being able to take breaks when I need them. It just feels reasonable. Biggest one of all though is being able to take care of myself physically.

Ben is enrolled in two core courses, English and math, and is also taking three electives: Digital Art to fulfill the requirement of an art course, Spanish II to fulfill the need for a second year of a world language, and College & Career to receive 1:1 guidance with post-high school endeavors. Additionally, Ben is enrolled in an independent study of P.E., completing and logging workouts of his choosing for a Pass/Fail grade.

let’s talk about that for a second. what’s your class schedule like?

Having 60 minute classes is really nice, especially in comparison to 90 minutes (at my old school). I have time for lunch, I can sleep in, and there’s space to do things. It’s still school, but there’s more space.

coming off of the pandemic, let’s say someone is nervous about online school. what might you tell them?

Oh, it’s totally different. During the pandemic, I was in ZOOM school all day. The classes were all group classes and the teacher was always focused on managing 25 students.

what else might you say to describe what a pacprep class is like?

Well I’d say it’s a lot less lecture-like. Classes are like a conversation if anything. You still have class, classwork, and homework, but it all feels different because you’re not in school all day. So, you can do your homework when your classes wrap-up and not just in the evenings or weekends.

anything else you feel like myself or prospective students and families should know?

Oh, well here’s my dog jumping into the frame now. He is by far the best part of PacPrep!