{"id":786,"date":"2020-01-13T17:53:04","date_gmt":"2020-01-14T01:53:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/webproofingsite.com\/westriver\/?page_id=786"},"modified":"2024-03-14T17:50:40","modified_gmt":"2024-03-15T00:50:40","slug":"our-story","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/en\/our-story\/","title":{"rendered":"Our Story"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><div data-vc-full-width=\"true\" data-vc-full-width-temp=\"true\" data-vc-full-width-init=\"false\" class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid global-pages ourstory sect0 vc_custom_1581268498981 vc_row-has-fill\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element international judson-font new-bluebold\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">As a young mother, Peggy was introduced to the writings of John Holt and his term &#8220;unschooling&#8221;. What followed was a life devoted to exploring and implementing natural learning. While guiding her own children, she empowered others to break out of traditional education and let their children lead them.<\/h3>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"vc_row-full-width vc_clearfix\"><\/div><div id=\"our-story\" data-vc-full-width=\"true\" data-vc-full-width-temp=\"true\" data-vc-full-width-init=\"false\" class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid our-story vc_custom_1578988211106 vc_row-has-fill vc_row-o-full-height vc_row-o-columns-middle vc_row-o-equal-height vc_row-o-content-middle vc_row-flex\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><div class=\"vc_tta-container vc_tta-o-non-responsive\" data-vc-action=\"collapse\" id=\"id_of_pageable_container\"><div class=\"vc_general vc_tta vc_tta-tabs vc_tta-o-shape-group vc_tta-has-pagination vc_tta-o-no-fill vc_tta-tabs-position-top  vc_tta-pageable\"><div class=\"vc_tta-panels-container\">\n<ul aria-label=\"Pagination\" class=\"vc_general vc_pagination vc_pagination-style-outline vc_pagination-shape-round vc_pagination-color-grey\">\n\n<li class=\"vc_pagination-item vc_active\" data-vc-tab>\n\t<a aria-label=\"Pagination Item 1\" href=\"#1578966553674-e544265f-be1d\" class=\"vc_pagination-trigger\" data-vc-tabs data-vc-container=\".vc_tta\"><\/a>\n<\/li>\n\n<li class=\"vc_pagination-item\" data-vc-tab>\n\t<a aria-label=\"Pagination Item 2\" href=\"#1578966553743-87918128-da47\" class=\"vc_pagination-trigger\" data-vc-tabs data-vc-container=\".vc_tta\"><\/a>\n<\/li>\n\n<li class=\"vc_pagination-item\" data-vc-tab>\n\t<a aria-label=\"Pagination Item 3\" href=\"#1578966622848-100f955f-297e\" class=\"vc_pagination-trigger\" data-vc-tabs data-vc-container=\".vc_tta\"><\/a>\n<\/li>\n\n<li class=\"vc_pagination-item\" data-vc-tab>\n\t<a aria-label=\"Pagination Item 4\" href=\"#1578966634329-1f4d9274-d149\" class=\"vc_pagination-trigger\" data-vc-tabs data-vc-container=\".vc_tta\"><\/a>\n<\/li>\n\n<li class=\"vc_pagination-item\" data-vc-tab>\n\t<a aria-label=\"Pagination Item 5\" href=\"#1578966669915-af95cc96-c999\" class=\"vc_pagination-trigger\" data-vc-tabs data-vc-container=\".vc_tta\"><\/a>\n<\/li>\n\n<li class=\"vc_pagination-item\" data-vc-tab>\n\t<a aria-label=\"Pagination Item 6\" href=\"#1578966687238-a9714e3f-8234\" class=\"vc_pagination-trigger\" data-vc-tabs data-vc-container=\".vc_tta\"><\/a>\n<\/li>\n\n<li class=\"vc_pagination-item\" data-vc-tab>\n\t<a aria-label=\"Pagination Item 7\" href=\"#1578966696983-ea818816-98e8\" class=\"vc_pagination-trigger\" data-vc-tabs data-vc-container=\".vc_tta\"><\/a>\n<\/li>\n\n<li class=\"vc_pagination-item\" data-vc-tab>\n\t<a aria-label=\"Pagination Item 8\" href=\"#1578966711669-fa07dacd-a564\" class=\"vc_pagination-trigger\" data-vc-tabs data-vc-container=\".vc_tta\"><\/a>\n<\/li>\n\n<li class=\"vc_pagination-item\" data-vc-tab>\n\t<a aria-label=\"Pagination Item 9\" href=\"#1578966734695-6aab25c2-44e7\" class=\"vc_pagination-trigger\" data-vc-tabs data-vc-container=\".vc_tta\"><\/a>\n<\/li>\n\n<li class=\"vc_pagination-item\" data-vc-tab>\n\t<a aria-label=\"Pagination Item 10\" href=\"#1578966741067-8c08c1a8-b18e\" class=\"vc_pagination-trigger\" data-vc-tabs data-vc-container=\".vc_tta\"><\/a>\n<\/li>\n\n<li class=\"vc_pagination-item\" data-vc-tab>\n\t<a aria-label=\"Pagination Item 11\" href=\"#1578966750765-e6473553-9af2\" class=\"vc_pagination-trigger\" data-vc-tabs data-vc-container=\".vc_tta\"><\/a>\n<\/li>\n\n<li class=\"vc_pagination-item\" data-vc-tab>\n\t<a aria-label=\"Pagination Item 12\" href=\"#1578966770207-c77006da-3263\" class=\"vc_pagination-trigger\" data-vc-tabs data-vc-container=\".vc_tta\"><\/a>\n<\/li>\n\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"vc_tta-panels\"><div  class=\"vc_tta-panel vc_active\" id=\"1578966553674-e544265f-be1d\" data-vc-content=\".vc_tta-panel-body\"><div class=\"vc_tta-panel-body\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"vc_tta-panel-title\">\n\t\t\t\t<a  data-vc-container=\".vc_tta-container\" data-vc-accordion=\"\" data-vc-target=\"#1578966553674-e544265f-be1d\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_inner vc_row-fluid ourstory-cont vc_custom_1579067122331 vc_row-has-fill vc_row-o-equal-height vc_row-o-content-middle vc_row-flex\"><div class=\"left withpad mob-scroll ar1 wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-6\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element our-storyhtxt\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">Peggy\u2019s Professional Life Begins in Japan<\/h3>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element our-storyptxt\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>Peggy\u2019s passion for education took off when, right after graduating from Principia College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish, she was hired to teach English as a Second Language for a company in Tokyo, Japan. She loved the creativity involved in working with small groups of students to help them improve their language skills. It inspired her and her Japanese husband to open an English school in Tokyo and create their own learning system based on individual and group activities. Peggy wrote and produced the materials, including doing the voice recording. This led to her work recording English materials for a publishing company, teaching ESL on national radio and TV, and contributing to a column in a magazine that targeted English learners in Japan.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"right nopad wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-6\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyfullimg\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-6334842]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-1-Img1.jpg\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"759\" height=\"409\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-1-Img1.jpg\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"Peggy loves the creativity involved in working with small groups of students to help them improve their language skills\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-1-Img1.jpg 759w, https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-1-Img1-300x162.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 759px) 100vw, 759px\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyfullimg\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-4078820847]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-1-Img2.jpg\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"758\" height=\"335\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-1-Img2.jpg\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"Peggy appeared on TV\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-1-Img2.jpg 758w, https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-1-Img2-300x133.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 758px) 100vw, 758px\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyfullimg\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-2649656957]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-1-Img3.jpg\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"758\" height=\"333\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-1-Img3.jpg\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"Peggy on national radio and TV\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-1-Img3.jpg 758w, https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-1-Img3-300x132.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 758px) 100vw, 758px\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element osnav-button center\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p><a class=\"yellow-butt osarrow_next\" href=\"#our-story\">Next Page <i class=\"fa fa-long-arrow-right\"><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div  class=\"vc_tta-panel\" id=\"1578966553743-87918128-da47\" data-vc-content=\".vc_tta-panel-body\"><div class=\"vc_tta-panel-body\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"vc_tta-panel-title\">\n\t\t\t\t<a  data-vc-container=\".vc_tta-container\" data-vc-accordion=\"\" data-vc-target=\"#1578966553743-87918128-da47\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_inner vc_row-fluid ourstory-cont pink-right vc_custom_1579073982233 vc_row-has-fill vc_row-o-equal-height vc_row-o-content-middle vc_row-flex\"><div class=\"left nopad contentwpad wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-6\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element our-storyhtxt\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">Peggy\u2019s Teaching Interest<br \/>\nEvolves from English to<br \/>\nHomeschooling<\/h3>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyfullimg\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-3797215602]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-2-Img1.png\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"717\" height=\"517\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-2-Img1.png\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"Growing Without Schooling and Books by John Holt\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-2-Img1.png 717w, https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-2-Img1-300x216.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 717px) 100vw, 717px\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"right withpad xtrapadtb mob-scroll ar2 wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-6\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element our-storyptxt\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>After seven years of living and working in Tokyo, Peggy accepted offers to teach ESL part-time at the American Graduate School of International Management in Arizona and later at the University of Toledo in Ohio. While in Ohio, Karen arrived and so, during Peggy\u2019s short stints away from Karen, a close friend took care of her. This friend had three daughters of her own, the oldest being 6. One day, Peggy remembers, this child asked her mother to teach her at home because she didn\u2019t want to continue going to school. So the mom, who was a certified teacher, spent hours at the library researching the option. Back then, there was no internet! She found out that the compulsory attendance laws of Ohio did not outlaw homeschooling. She also stumbled upon some books by John Holt.<\/p>\n<p>Peggy continues, \u201d I became intrigued with what my friend was doing with her children and asked her how I could learn more. She told me to read everything written by John Holt. As I started reading books such as \u2018Teach Your Own\u201d, I kept thinking, \u2018Of course! I\u2019ve always known that. It makes perfect sense.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element osnav-button\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p><a class=\"yellow-butt osarrow_prev\" href=\"#our-story\"><i class=\"fa fa-long-arrow-left\"><\/i> Previous<\/a> <a class=\"yellow-butt osarrow_next\" href=\"#our-story\">Next <i class=\"fa fa-long-arrow-right\"><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div  class=\"vc_tta-panel\" id=\"1578966622848-100f955f-297e\" data-vc-content=\".vc_tta-panel-body\"><div class=\"vc_tta-panel-body\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"vc_tta-panel-title\">\n\t\t\t\t<a  data-vc-container=\".vc_tta-container\" data-vc-accordion=\"\" data-vc-target=\"#1578966622848-100f955f-297e\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_inner vc_row-fluid ourstory-cont pink-left vc_custom_1579105625742 vc_row-has-fill vc_row-o-equal-height vc_rtl-columns-reverse vc_row-o-content-middle vc_row-flex\"><div class=\"left minipad twogridimg wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-6\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyhalfimg l\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-92832988]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-3-Img1.jpg\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"352\" height=\"330\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-3-Img1.jpg\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"Karen, Stacey and Rachel enjoying at the kitchen\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-3-Img1.jpg 352w, https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-3-Img1-300x281.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 352px) 100vw, 352px\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyhalfimg r\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-2718844225]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-3-Img2.jpg\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"352\" height=\"330\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-3-Img2.jpg\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"Karen at 3 years old\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-3-Img2.jpg 352w, https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-3-Img2-300x281.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 352px) 100vw, 352px\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyhalfimg l\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-582749849]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-3-Img3.png\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"352\" height=\"330\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-3-Img3.png\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"Karen at her dance lessons\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-3-Img3.png 352w, https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-3-Img3-300x281.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 352px) 100vw, 352px\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyhalfimg r\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-2502936851]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-3-Img4.png\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"352\" height=\"330\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-3-Img4.png\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"The 3 sisters grew up playing together\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-3-Img4.png 352w, https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-3-Img4-300x281.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 352px) 100vw, 352px\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyhalfimg l bot\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-2656411509]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-3-Img5.jpg\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"352\" height=\"330\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-3-Img5.jpg\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"Reading time with Peggy, Karen, and Stacey\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-3-Img5.jpg 352w, https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-3-Img5-300x281.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 352px) 100vw, 352px\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyhalfimg r bot\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-942245404]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-3-Img6.jpg\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"352\" height=\"330\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-3-Img6.jpg\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"Peggy having a great day with family\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-3-Img6.jpg 352w, https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-3-Img6-300x281.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 352px) 100vw, 352px\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"right withpad mob-scroll ar3 wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-6\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element our-storyhtxt\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">No School for Karen<\/h3>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element our-storyptxt twocol\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>By the time Karen was three years old, Peggy knew that Karen would not be going to pre-school. When her sister, Stacey, was born, it made so much sense to have Karen home instead of off at school for all or part of the day. The two sisters grew up playing together and then welcomed another sister, Rachel. Now all three girls could play together, learn from and with each other and fully participate in family activities instead of going off in different directions for most of each day.<\/p>\n<p>As the three girls would appear in public during the day, Peggy would be questioned about why they weren\u2019t in school.<\/p>\n<p>She says, \u201cI grew from fearfully trying to dodge the question to confidently engaging the questioner and explaining the unschooling philosophy to them. It was fun to see how people would respond!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element osnav-button\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p><a class=\"yellow-butt osarrow_prev\" href=\"#our-story\"><i class=\"fa fa-long-arrow-left\"><\/i> Previous<\/a> <a class=\"yellow-butt osarrow_next\" href=\"#our-story\">Next <i class=\"fa fa-long-arrow-right\"><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div  class=\"vc_tta-panel\" id=\"1578966634329-1f4d9274-d149\" data-vc-content=\".vc_tta-panel-body\"><div class=\"vc_tta-panel-body\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"vc_tta-panel-title\">\n\t\t\t\t<a  data-vc-container=\".vc_tta-container\" data-vc-accordion=\"\" data-vc-target=\"#1578966634329-1f4d9274-d149\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_inner vc_row-fluid ourstory-cont pink-right vc_custom_1579074264969 vc_row-has-fill vc_row-o-equal-height vc_row-o-content-middle vc_row-flex\"><div class=\"left withpad mob-scroll ar4 wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-6\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element our-storyhtxt\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">Peggy Promotes<br \/>\nHomeschooling Publicly<\/h3>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element our-storyptxt twocol\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>While in Ohio, Peggy teamed up with another mom and co-founded a homeschool support group called \u201cHome Education League of Parents\u201d (HELP). She wrote articles for the monthly newsletter, organized activities for homeschooling families and published a calendar of activities. HELP sponsored a public event in 1990 featuring John Taylor Gatto, who had just won the New York State Teacher of the Year award and, at the same time, resigned his teaching position and wrote an editorial in the New York Times, condemning public education.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"right withpad halfimg center wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-6\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_center wpb_content_element  our-storyhalfimg margbot\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-122604741]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-4-Img1.jpg\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"441\" height=\"305\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-4-Img1.jpg\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"HELP sponsored a public event in 1990 featuring John Taylor Gatto\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-4-Img1.jpg 441w, https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-4-Img1-300x207.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 441px) 100vw, 441px\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_center wpb_content_element  our-storyhalfimg margbot\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-3953341752]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-4-Img2.jpg\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"442\" height=\"351\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-4-Img2.jpg\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"HELP article featuring John Taylor Gatto\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-4-Img2.jpg 442w, https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-4-Img2-300x238.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 442px) 100vw, 442px\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element osnav-button\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p><a class=\"yellow-butt osarrow_prev\" href=\"#our-story\"><i class=\"fa fa-long-arrow-left\"><\/i> Previous<\/a> <a class=\"yellow-butt osarrow_next\" href=\"#our-story\">Next <i class=\"fa fa-long-arrow-right\"><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div  class=\"vc_tta-panel\" id=\"1578966669915-af95cc96-c999\" data-vc-content=\".vc_tta-panel-body\"><div class=\"vc_tta-panel-body\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"vc_tta-panel-title\">\n\t\t\t\t<a  data-vc-container=\".vc_tta-container\" data-vc-accordion=\"\" data-vc-target=\"#1578966669915-af95cc96-c999\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_inner vc_row-fluid ourstory-cont pink-left vc_custom_1579105052433 vc_row-has-fill vc_row-o-equal-height vc_row-o-content-middle vc_row-flex\"><div class=\"left smallpad masonry nospace wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-6\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyfullimg\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-2577554433]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-5-Img1.jpg\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"679\" height=\"676\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-5-Img1.jpg\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"Karen helping out at the stables\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-5-Img1.jpg 679w, https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-5-Img1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-5-Img1-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 679px) 100vw, 679px\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyhalfimg l\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-1775824812]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-5-Img2.jpg\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"347\" height=\"268\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-5-Img2.jpg\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"Karen on her piano lessons\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-5-Img2.jpg 347w, https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-5-Img2-300x232.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 347px) 100vw, 347px\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyhalfimg r\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-122297486]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-5-Img3.png\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"347\" height=\"268\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-5-Img3.png\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"Karen loved horses and took riding lessons when they lived in Ohio\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-5-Img3.png 347w, https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-5-Img3-300x232.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 347px) 100vw, 347px\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"right withpad scrollable mob-scroll ar5 wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-6\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element our-storyhtxt\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">From School-at-Home to Unschooling<\/h3>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element our-storyptxt\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>When Karen was six years old, she and her mom started to do school at home because Karen was curious about school and really wanted to get on the big yellow school bus.<\/p>\n<p>Peggy remembers, \u201cWe did some math and reading each morning so she could have a similar experience to her peers. After two weeks of this routine, I could see her tiring of it and asked her how she felt about it. She said she didn\u2019t want to do school anymore. Then I asked her what she wanted to do and our unschooling journey took off. We never looked back!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Each September, Peggy would ask her daughters what they wanted to do and learn that year.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThey made their lists\u201d she says, \u201cand then we would set about researching the opportunities. Karen loved horses and took riding lessons when we lived in Ohio. When we moved to Colorado, she was nine and wanted to start lessons up again. I told her to research the local stables and instructors and let me know what she could find out. I handed her a telephone book and showed her how to use the Yellow pages. About a week later, she had narrowed her list to a few instructors, so she called them and we went to visit.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Peggy felt it was important not to do the work for the children. They needed to show their interest in pursuing something by actively engaging in making it happen. They also needed to be accountable for their decisions. If they wanted to take piano lessons, for example, they needed to practice without being reminded every day. If they stopped practicing, the funding would be removed!<\/p>\n<p>Peggy is often asked, \u201cHow can I be sure my kids are really learning?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOne thing I did,\u201d Peggy remembers, \u201cwas to keep a calendar of our activities, lists of books we read, trips we took, etc. When Karen was 6, I decided to make a portfolio to show what her first grade looked like. I put in a page for each subject area: English, Social Studies, Math, etc. Then I wrote the activities that could go in each category. When I was done, I was totally impressed! There was no doubt in my mind that Karen learned more that year than she could have learned if she were in school. That is the first and only time I ever did a project like that. If you are having doubts, just grab a notebook and follow your kids around for awhile, noting what they are doing. Or make a one-year portfolio for yourself. You will never doubt again!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The days and years continued to be filled with activities that the girls wished to pursue. There was no homework, no tests and no grades. Karen took her first test to qualify for her ham radio license and she aced it. There was no need to have years of practice to one day at age 14 take a test.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element osnav-button\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p><a class=\"yellow-butt osarrow_prev\" href=\"#our-story\"><i class=\"fa fa-long-arrow-left\"><\/i> Previous<\/a> <a class=\"yellow-butt osarrow_next\" href=\"#our-story\">Next <i class=\"fa fa-long-arrow-right\"><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div  class=\"vc_tta-panel\" id=\"1578966687238-a9714e3f-8234\" data-vc-content=\".vc_tta-panel-body\"><div class=\"vc_tta-panel-body\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"vc_tta-panel-title\">\n\t\t\t\t<a  data-vc-container=\".vc_tta-container\" data-vc-accordion=\"\" data-vc-target=\"#1578966687238-a9714e3f-8234\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_inner vc_row-fluid ourstory-cont half-pink-right vc_custom_1579102954386 vc_row-has-fill vc_row-o-equal-height vc_row-o-content-middle vc_row-flex\"><div class=\"left withpad mob-scroll ar6 wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-6\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element our-storyhtxt\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">Peggy Starts a School<\/h3>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element our-storyptxt\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>When Peggy\u2019s family moved to Colorado in 1993, Peggy researched the laws for homeschooling and decided to start a support group. She called it West River Unschoolers. Again, she published a monthly newsletter and organized activities. She checked the laws for opening a school and, to her delight, they did not require a physical building (as was the case in Ohio). So she told the families in the support group that she was starting a school and they could enroll. That was how West River Academy got started.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"right nopad top-botpad wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-6\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyfullimg\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-1257111176]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-6-Img1.jpg\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"762\" height=\"573\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-6-Img1.jpg\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"The West River Academy graduates!\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-6-Img1.jpg 762w, https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-6-Img1-300x226.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 762px) 100vw, 762px\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element osnav-button\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p><a class=\"yellow-butt osarrow_prev\" href=\"#our-story\"><i class=\"fa fa-long-arrow-left\"><\/i> Previous<\/a> <a class=\"yellow-butt osarrow_next\" href=\"#our-story\">Next <i class=\"fa fa-long-arrow-right\"><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div  class=\"vc_tta-panel\" id=\"1578966696983-ea818816-98e8\" data-vc-content=\".vc_tta-panel-body\"><div class=\"vc_tta-panel-body\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"vc_tta-panel-title\">\n\t\t\t\t<a  data-vc-container=\".vc_tta-container\" data-vc-accordion=\"\" data-vc-target=\"#1578966696983-ea818816-98e8\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_inner vc_row-fluid ourstory-cont vc_custom_1579103826489 vc_row-has-fill vc_row-o-equal-height vc_row-o-content-middle vc_row-flex\"><div class=\"left nopad masonry nospace wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-6\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyhalfimg svnty l\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-4048819108]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-7-Img1.jpg\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"458\" height=\"376\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-7-Img1.jpg\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"Karen loved horses so she spent more and more time at the stable with her horse\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-7-Img1.jpg 458w, https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-7-Img1-300x246.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 100vw, 458px\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyhalfimg thrty r\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-2630936589]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-7-Img2.png\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"299\" height=\"376\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-7-Img2.png\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"Karen&#039;s teen years enjoyed writing in journals and playing the piano\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-7-Img2.png 299w, https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-7-Img2-239x300.png 239w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 299px) 100vw, 299px\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyhalfimg svnty l\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-3388012148]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-7-Img3.jpg\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"458\" height=\"700\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-7-Img3.jpg\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"Karen swing dancing and later with her few friends opened up their own club.\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-7-Img3.jpg 458w, https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-7-Img3-196x300.jpg 196w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 100vw, 458px\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyhalfimg thrty r\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-2819010508]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-7-Img4.jpg\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"299\" height=\"371\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-7-Img4.jpg\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"Enjoying the day with Karen and her sister\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-7-Img4.jpg 299w, https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-7-Img4-242x300.jpg 242w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 299px) 100vw, 299px\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyhalfimg thrty r\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-814774952]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-7-Img5.jpg\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"299\" height=\"329\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-7-Img5.jpg\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"Karen was immersed in working with horses\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-7-Img5.jpg 299w, https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-7-Img5-273x300.jpg 273w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 299px) 100vw, 299px\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"right withpad scrollable long mob-scroll ar7 wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-6\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element our-storyhtxt\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">Karen\u2019s Teen Years<\/h3>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element our-storyptxt\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>Karen loved horses so she spent more and more time at the stable with her horse. First it was riding lessons and then it was working to pay for boarding her horse. She would come home from the barn and, for relaxation, she would immerse herself in reading all kinds of books. She also enjoyed writing in journals and playing the piano.<\/p>\n<p>Karen\u2019s childhood years in gymnastics and horseback riding prepared her for her next passion: swing dancing. She danced at a small club and then she and a few friends opened up their own club.<\/p>\n<p>One day she asked, \u201cHow do we handle the money part?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>That led to her learning from practical experience how to rent a facility, set admission fees, publicize the events, hire DJs and musicians and pay expenses.<\/p>\n<p>During her teen years, Karen was asked if she was interested in going to school. She was so involved in her own time-consuming activities that her response was, \u201cI don\u2019t have time!\u201d By now, she was immersed in working with horses, playing piano, dancing, reading, journaling and working part-time jobs.<\/p>\n<p>Karen graduated from West River Academy in 2002. She received her diploma and a 4-year transcript.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element osnav-button\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p><a class=\"yellow-butt osarrow_prev\" href=\"#our-story\"><i class=\"fa fa-long-arrow-left\"><\/i> Previous<\/a> <a class=\"yellow-butt osarrow_next\" href=\"#our-story\">Next <i class=\"fa fa-long-arrow-right\"><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div  class=\"vc_tta-panel\" id=\"1578966711669-fa07dacd-a564\" data-vc-content=\".vc_tta-panel-body\"><div class=\"vc_tta-panel-body\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"vc_tta-panel-title\">\n\t\t\t\t<a  data-vc-container=\".vc_tta-container\" data-vc-accordion=\"\" data-vc-target=\"#1578966711669-fa07dacd-a564\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_inner vc_row-fluid ourstory-cont pink-right vc_custom_1579105075621 vc_row-has-fill vc_row-o-equal-height vc_row-o-content-middle vc_row-flex\"><div class=\"left withpad scrollable long mob-scroll ar8 wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-6\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element our-storyhtxt\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">From Life Experience to Course Names<\/h3>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element our-storyptxt\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p><strong>How did she get a transcript after a life of unschooling?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Peggy replies, \u201cShe pored over her years of journals, translating real life learning into courses, credits and grades. Her dance club experience for example, translated into courses such as Introduction to Business, Applied Math and Bookkeeping. Her horseback riding was Physical Education and Equine Studies. Her journaling and reading of literature was English. Her reading of Isaac Asimov\u2019s books dealing with science fact and fiction became Cosmology and Physics for the Layman, for example. \u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>How did she learn subjects like Algebra?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cWell,\u201d Peggy recounts, \u201cWhen she decided to take the ACT college entrance exam, we hired a tutor to teach her high school math. After 4 months, she was ready and she did fine on the test. She was motivated to learn high school math quickly, because she knew that she needed to do well on the college placement test, so she wouldn\u2019t have to pay college tuition for high school level math courses. While in college, she successfully completed mathematics courses through Calculus.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"right withpad wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-6\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyfullimg\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-3774462406]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-8-Img1.jpg\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"716\" height=\"841\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-8-Img1.jpg\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"West River Academy Official Transcript\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-8-Img1.jpg 716w, https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-8-Img1-255x300.jpg 255w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 716px) 100vw, 716px\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element osnav-button\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p><a class=\"yellow-butt osarrow_prev\" href=\"#our-story\"><i class=\"fa fa-long-arrow-left\"><\/i> Previous<\/a> <a class=\"yellow-butt osarrow_next\" href=\"#our-story\">Next <i class=\"fa fa-long-arrow-right\"><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div  class=\"vc_tta-panel\" id=\"1578966734695-6aab25c2-44e7\" data-vc-content=\".vc_tta-panel-body\"><div class=\"vc_tta-panel-body\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"vc_tta-panel-title\">\n\t\t\t\t<a  data-vc-container=\".vc_tta-container\" data-vc-accordion=\"\" data-vc-target=\"#1578966734695-6aab25c2-44e7\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_inner vc_row-fluid ourstory-cont pink-left vc_custom_1579106112370 vc_row-has-fill vc_row-o-equal-height vc_row-o-content-middle vc_row-flex\"><div class=\"left withpad twogridimg wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-6\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyhalfimg l\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-36390344]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-9-Img1.jpg\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"299\" height=\"299\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-9-Img1.jpg\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"Karen started attending Red Rocks Community College while still working full-time at the investment company\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-9-Img1.jpg 299w, https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-9-Img1-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 299px) 100vw, 299px\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyhalfimg r\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-207973238]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-9-Img2.jpg\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"299\" height=\"299\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-9-Img2.jpg\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"In 2014, Karen married her husband, Brian, in Hawaii\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-9-Img2.jpg 299w, https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-9-Img2-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 299px) 100vw, 299px\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyhalfimg l\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-3920428260]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-9-Img3.jpg\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"299\" height=\"299\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-9-Img3.jpg\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"Karen&#039;s small family enjoying the beach\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-9-Img3.jpg 299w, https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-9-Img3-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 299px) 100vw, 299px\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyhalfimg r\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-2026034289]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-9-Img4.jpg\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"299\" height=\"299\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-9-Img4.jpg\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"She graduated in 2011 magna cum laude from DeVry University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Technical Management, with a specialization in Project Management\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-9-Img4.jpg 299w, https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-9-Img4-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 299px) 100vw, 299px\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"right withpad scrollable long mob-scroll ar9 wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-6\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element our-storyhtxt\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">Karen\u2019s College and Career<\/h3>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element our-storyptxt\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>At age 19, Karen started to work for an investment company. In 2006 she moved to Denver, CO and started attending Red Rocks Community College while still working full-time at the investment company. During the next 5 years, she worked the full-time job and took college classes. She got her Associate degree in Business Management from Red Rocks Community College and then went on to finish her 4-year degree at an online college, DeVry University. She graduated in 2011 magna cum laude from DeVry University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Technical Management, with a specialization in Project Management.<\/p>\n<p>In 2014, Karen married her husband, Brian, in Hawaii. The newlyweds embarked on a three month journey through Asia. It became clear to Karen, that her passion was not in finance but in education.<\/p>\n<p>Karen\u2019s passion for education and her desire to raise her children in the way she was raised led her to leave the corporate world and join West River Academy. Since 2015, Karen has been working as Assistant Director.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element osnav-button\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p><a class=\"yellow-butt osarrow_prev\" href=\"#our-story\"><i class=\"fa fa-long-arrow-left\"><\/i> Previous<\/a> <a class=\"yellow-butt osarrow_next\" href=\"#our-story\">Next <i class=\"fa fa-long-arrow-right\"><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div  class=\"vc_tta-panel\" id=\"1578966741067-8c08c1a8-b18e\" data-vc-content=\".vc_tta-panel-body\"><div class=\"vc_tta-panel-body\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"vc_tta-panel-title\">\n\t\t\t\t<a  data-vc-container=\".vc_tta-container\" data-vc-accordion=\"\" data-vc-target=\"#1578966741067-8c08c1a8-b18e\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_inner vc_row-fluid ourstory-cont pink-right vc_custom_1579108913284 vc_row-has-fill vc_row-o-equal-height vc_row-o-content-middle vc_row-flex\"><div class=\"left withpad scrollable mob-scroll ar10 wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-6\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element our-storyhtxt\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">Stacey\u2019s Unschooling Journey<\/h3>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element our-storyptxt\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>Karen\u2019s younger sisters, however, did choose to experience school during some of their childhood. Both Stacey and Rachel attended a part-time alternative school program offered by the school district to homeschoolers. Stacey spent her days involved in group and individual lessons, such as piano, tennis, dance and Spanish. She enjoyed playing in tennis tournaments and she also got paid to play the piano in local shows and in retirement homes.<\/p>\n<p>As a teen, Stacey traveled to Costa Rica and Australia, and also volunteered at a school in Kenya, teaching the children simple piano skills on the keyboard. She took some courses at the local high school and participated in the drama club, acting and working on the set. She also played piano in the high school jazz band.<\/p>\n<p>She joined the swing dance club started by her older sister, participating in choreographing and performing swing dances with her sister at local Galas and other events. She was usually working a part-time job and, as she got older, she transitioned from a student to an adult employee and continued living in her hometown.<\/p>\n<p>After gaining experience in customer relations, Stacey joined the West River Academy team in January of 2017 as Administrative Director.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"right minipad threegridimg wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-6\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyonethirdimg l\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-1185143019]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-10-Img1.png\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"219\" height=\"192\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-10-Img1.png\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"Stacey playing the piano\" title=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyonethirdimg c\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-2175461681]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-10-Img2.png\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"219\" height=\"192\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-10-Img2.png\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"Peggy and toddler Stacey\" title=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyonethirdimg r\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-2465499108]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-10-Img3.jpg\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"219\" height=\"396\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-10-Img3.jpg\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"Stacey loves to read\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-10-Img3.jpg 219w, https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-10-Img3-166x300.jpg 166w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 219px) 100vw, 219px\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyonethirdimg l\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-2936342912]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-10-Img4.jpg\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"219\" height=\"192\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-10-Img4.jpg\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"Stacey during her dance lessons\" title=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyonethirdimg c\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-3897810286]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-10-Img5.png\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"219\" height=\"192\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-10-Img5.png\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"Little Stacey crafting!\" title=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyonethirdimg l\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-505147875]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-10-Img6.png\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"219\" height=\"192\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-10-Img6.png\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"Enjoying her rock climbing!\" title=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyonethirdimg c\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-4183578003]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-10-Img13.png\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"219\" height=\"192\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-10-Img13.png\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"Article 10 Img13\" title=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyonethirdimg r\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-302531743]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-10-Img7.png\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"219\" height=\"192\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-10-Img7.png\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"Stacey plays the piano in local shows and in retirement homes\" title=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyonethirdimg l bot\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-92888109]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-10-Img8.png\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"219\" height=\"396\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-10-Img8.png\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"She took some courses at the local high school and participated in the drama club, acting and working on the set\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-10-Img8.png 219w, https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-10-Img8-166x300.png 166w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 219px) 100vw, 219px\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyonethirdimg c\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-3307322151]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-10-Img9.jpg\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"219\" height=\"192\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-10-Img9.jpg\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"As a teen, Stacey traveled to Costa Rica and Australia, and Kenya\" title=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyonethirdimg r\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-1774164513]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-10-Img10.png\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"219\" height=\"192\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-10-Img10.png\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"volunteered at a school in Kenya, teaching the children simple piano skills on the keyboard\" title=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyonethirdimg c bot\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-1747776506]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-10-Img11.jpg\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"219\" height=\"192\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-10-Img11.jpg\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"Stacey joined her sisters at the West River Academy team in January of 2017 as Administrative Director\" title=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyonethirdimg r bot\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-3590233959]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-10-Img12.jpg\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"219\" height=\"192\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-10-Img12.jpg\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"Stacey and Rachel at Costa Rica.\" title=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element osnav-button\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p><a class=\"yellow-butt osarrow_prev\" href=\"#our-story\"><i class=\"fa fa-long-arrow-left\"><\/i> Previous<\/a> <a class=\"yellow-butt osarrow_next\" href=\"#our-story\">Next <i class=\"fa fa-long-arrow-right\"><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div  class=\"vc_tta-panel\" id=\"1578966750765-e6473553-9af2\" data-vc-content=\".vc_tta-panel-body\"><div class=\"vc_tta-panel-body\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"vc_tta-panel-title\">\n\t\t\t\t<a  data-vc-container=\".vc_tta-container\" data-vc-accordion=\"\" data-vc-target=\"#1578966750765-e6473553-9af2\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_inner vc_row-fluid ourstory-cont pink-left vc_custom_1579109710620 vc_row-has-fill vc_row-o-equal-height vc_row-o-content-middle vc_row-flex\"><div class=\"left minipad threegridimg wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-6\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyonethirdimg l\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-829343731]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-11-Img1.png\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"219\" height=\"192\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-11-Img1.png\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"Rachel took classes to develop new skills at a local community college such as cuisine and fashion design\" title=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyonethirdimg c\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-1287554278]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-11-Img2.jpg\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"219\" height=\"192\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-11-Img2.jpg\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"Rachel worked at a local art gallery, where she gained business, merchandising and customer service experience\" title=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyonethirdimg r\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-3508617875]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-11-Img3.jpg\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"219\" height=\"192\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-11-Img3.jpg\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"Rachel visited countries on 6 continents, picking up some Japanese, Swahili, French and Spanish along the way\" title=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyonethirdimg l\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-4029589743]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-11-Img4.jpg\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"219\" height=\"192\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-11-Img4.jpg\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"Rachel and her basketball team\" title=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyonethirdimg c\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-1761737839]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-11-Img5.jpg\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"219\" height=\"192\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-11-Img5.jpg\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"Rachel playing the piano\" title=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyonethirdimg r\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-1622172976]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-11-Img6.png\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"219\" height=\"192\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-11-Img6.png\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"\u201cI want to travel! I want to learn new languages and experience the cultures,\u201d-Rachel\" title=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyonethirdimg l\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-2137799361]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-11-Img7.png\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"219\" height=\"192\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-11-Img7.png\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"Peak mountains with Peggy and Rachel\" title=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyonethirdimg c\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-4179061568]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-11-Img8.png\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"219\" height=\"192\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-11-Img8.png\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"Rachel&#039;s dance performance with her team\" title=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyonethirdimg r\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-2035780798]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-11-Img9.png\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"219\" height=\"192\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-11-Img9.png\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"She graduated in May of 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications, a Minor in Agriculture, and a Certificate in Communications, a Minor in Agriculture, and a Certificate in Beekeeping\" title=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyonethirdimg l\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-584136787]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-11-Img10.jpg\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"219\" height=\"192\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-11-Img10.jpg\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"Rachel traveled to Kenya and did volunteer works\" title=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyonethirdimg c\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-2382753817]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-11-Img11.png\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"219\" height=\"192\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-11-Img11.png\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"Rachel moved to the island of Kaua\u2019i to be with her fiance and start a new chapter\" title=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyonethirdimg r\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-2195849946]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-11-Img12.png\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"219\" height=\"192\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-11-Img12.png\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"Rachel traveled to Costa Rica\" title=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyonethirdimg l bot\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-4271637760]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-11-Img13.jpg\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"219\" height=\"192\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-11-Img13.jpg\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"Rachel&#039;s younger days during her music lessons\" title=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyonethirdimg c bot\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-2570005759]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-11-Img14.jpg\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"219\" height=\"192\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-11-Img14.jpg\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"Traveled to Paris with her friends\" title=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyonethirdimg r bot\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-1589339578]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-11-Img15.jpg\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"219\" height=\"192\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-11-Img15.jpg\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"Rachel having fun in Australia!\" title=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"right withpad scrollable mob-scroll ar11 wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-6\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element our-storyhtxt\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">The Possibilities of \u201cUnschooling\u201d<br \/>\n\u2013 Rachel\u2019s Journey<\/h3>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element our-storyptxt\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>As a young child, Rachel enjoyed individual and group lessons such as piano, horseback riding, karate, rock-climbing, dance, Japanese language and Spanish language. At seven years old, she attended a home options program for homeschoolers a few days a week, where she learned to work on group projects and give presentations. Every summer throughout her childhood, she attended an adventure camp, where she learned to white-water raft, peak mountains, ride horses, and be a team leader. She chose to go to a boarding school, where she experienced the opposite of \u201chome\u201d school. Her life there consisted of core classes, as well as basketball, volleyball, and cross-country. She decided to move back home and attend the local public high school.<\/p>\n<p>To Rachel, \u201cunschooling\u201d meant having the freedom to have all kinds of learning opportunities. She went through homeschool, alternative school, boarding school, and public school, by the time she was fifteen she said she was ready for something new.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat do you want to do next year?\u201d Peggy asked.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI want to travel! I want to learn new languages and experience the cultures,\u201d was Rachel\u2019s reply.<\/p>\n<p>Rachel visited countries on 6 continents, picking up some Japanese, Swahili, French and Spanish along the way.<\/p>\n<p>After her year of travel, she had discovered some new passions, such as cuisine and fashion design. So, she took classes to develop new skills at a local community college and then graduated from West River Academy in 2010.<\/p>\n<p>After graduation, she continued taking classes at the college and she worked at a local art gallery, where she gained business, merchandising and customer service experience.<\/p>\n<p>In 2012, Rachel was accepted by the University of Hawaii. She graduated in May of 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications, a Minor in Agriculture, and a Certificate in Communications, a Minor in Agriculture, and a Certificate in Beekeeping.<\/p>\n<p>After college graduation, Rachel moved to the island of Kaua\u2019i to be with her fiance and start a new chapter. She immediately started a corporate job, and was promoted quickly through the management program. However, with the artistic and diverse background that she has, she soon found that the corporate ladder wasn\u2019t the highest priority for her.<\/p>\n<p>Like her sisters, Rachel has come full circle. She appreciates the freedom she was given to pursue a vast array of learning opportunities and sees her future as a West River Academy team member supporting others\u2019 educational journeys.<\/p>\n<p>As of August 2017, Rachel started as the Creative Director with West River Academy.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element osnav-button\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p><a class=\"yellow-butt osarrow_prev\" href=\"#our-story\"><i class=\"fa fa-long-arrow-left\"><\/i> Previous<\/a> <a class=\"yellow-butt osarrow_next\" href=\"#our-story\">Next <i class=\"fa fa-long-arrow-right\"><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div  class=\"vc_tta-panel\" id=\"1578966770207-c77006da-3263\" data-vc-content=\".vc_tta-panel-body\"><div class=\"vc_tta-panel-body\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"vc_tta-panel-title\">\n\t\t\t\t<a  data-vc-container=\".vc_tta-container\" data-vc-accordion=\"\" data-vc-target=\"#1578966770207-c77006da-3263\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_inner vc_row-fluid ourstory-cont vc_custom_1579109731041 vc_row-has-fill vc_row-o-equal-height vc_row-o-content-middle vc_row-flex\"><div class=\"left withpad mob-scroll ar12 wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-6\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element our-storyhtxt\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">To Be Continued\u2026<\/h3>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element our-storyptxt\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<p>As our story continues to unfold, we will add more to this page!<\/p>\n<p>We hope you enjoyed learning about our personal and professional lives and will feel like you are joining our worldwide family when you enroll in West River Academy!<\/p>\n<p>We would love to hear YOUR story. Email us or <a href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/en\/schedule-a-call\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Schedule a Call<\/a> to see if we are a fit for your family. We look forward to hearing from you!<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"right nopad masonry nospace wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-6\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyhalfimg l\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-2757449529]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-12-Img1.jpg\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"379\" height=\"269\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-12-Img1.jpg\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"Peggy and Karen\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-12-Img1.jpg 379w, https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-12-Img1-300x213.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 379px) 100vw, 379px\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyhalfimg r\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-490872392]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-12-Img2.jpg\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"379\" height=\"269\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-12-Img2.jpg\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"Karen, Stacey and Rachel during their teenage years\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-12-Img2.jpg 379w, https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-12-Img2-300x213.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 379px) 100vw, 379px\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyhalfimg l\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-501561888]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-12-Img3-1.png\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"379\" height=\"269\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-12-Img3-1.png\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"Article 12 Img3\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-12-Img3-1.png 379w, https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-12-Img3-1-300x213.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 379px) 100vw, 379px\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyhalfimg r\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-393778172]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-12-Img4.jpg\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"379\" height=\"269\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-12-Img4.jpg\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"Rachel and Karen with a beautiful sunset\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-12-Img4.jpg 379w, https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-12-Img4-300x213.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 379px) 100vw, 379px\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyhalfimg l\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-1736137345]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-12-Img5-1.png\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"379\" height=\"269\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-12-Img5-1.png\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"Article 12 Img5\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-12-Img5-1.png 379w, https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-12-Img5-1-300x213.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 379px) 100vw, 379px\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyhalfimg r\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-850494800]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-12-Img6-1.png\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"379\" height=\"269\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-12-Img6-1.png\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"Article 12 Img6\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-12-Img6-1.png 379w, https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-12-Img6-1-300x213.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 379px) 100vw, 379px\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyhalfimg l\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-3338368222]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-12-Img7-1.png\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"379\" height=\"269\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-12-Img7-1.png\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"Article 12 Img7\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-12-Img7-1.png 379w, https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-12-Img7-1-300x213.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 379px) 100vw, 379px\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div  class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_content_element vc_align_left wpb_content_element  our-storyhalfimg r\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"wpb_wrapper vc_figure\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"\" data-lightbox=\"lightbox[rel-786-1986713184]\"  href=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-12-Img8.jpg\" data-rel=\"prettyPhoto-gallery-cHJldHR5UGhvdG8tZ2FsbGVyeS0w\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" data-rl_title=\"\" data-rl_caption=\"\" target=\"_self\" class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"379\" height=\"269\" src=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-12-Img8.jpg\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"Peggy and her daughters&#039; fun time\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-12-Img8.jpg 379w, https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Article-12-Img8-300x213.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 379px) 100vw, 379px\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column 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Say<\/h3>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<style type='text\/css' media='all'>#tss-container-4058050387.tss-wrapper .tss-layout10 .item-content-wrapper,\r\n\t\t\t\t\t#tss-container-4058050387.tss-wrapper .tss-isotope3 .item-content-wrapper,\r\n\t\t\t\t\t#tss-container-4058050387.tss-wrapper .tss-isotope5 .item-content-wrapper,\r\n\t\t\t\t\t#tss-container-4058050387.tss-wrapper .tss-carousel10 .item-content-wrapper{background: transparent;}#tss-container-4058050387.tss-wrapper .single-item-wrapper h3.author-name,\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t#tss-container-4058050387.tss-wrapper .single-item-wrapper h3.author-name a{color:#3a3a3a;}#tss-container-4058050387.tss-wrapper .single-item-wrapper h4.author-bio{color:#8cc63e;}<\/style><div class='rt-container-fluid tss-wrapper ' id='tss-container-4058050387'  data-layout='layout1' data-desktop-col='1'  data-tab-col='2'  data-mobile-col='1'><div data-title='Loading ...' class='rt-row tss-layout1 tss-even '><div class='rt-col-md-12 rt-col-sm-6 rt-col-xs-12 even-grid-item tss-grid-item even-grid-item default-margin'><div class=\"single-item-wrapper\"><div class=\"tss-meta-info tss-left\"><div class='profile-img-wrapper'><img alt='Quote Image' class='rt-responsive-img' src='https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Quote-Image.png' loading='lazy' \/><\/div><h3 class='author-name'>ALLISON &#038; MARK<\/h3><h4 class=\"author-bio\"><span class='item-company'>North Carolina, USA<\/span><\/h4><\/div><div class=\"item-content-wrapper tss-right\"><div class='item-content'><p>You respect and affirm young adults in ways that no typical school ever could. Schools have become prisons. You set the captives free!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class='rt-col-md-12 rt-col-sm-6 rt-col-xs-12 even-grid-item tss-grid-item even-grid-item default-margin'><div class=\"single-item-wrapper\"><div class=\"tss-meta-info tss-left\"><div class='profile-img-wrapper'><img alt='Quote Image' class='rt-responsive-img' src='https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Quote-Image.png' loading='lazy' \/><\/div><h3 class='author-name'>CONI<\/h3><h4 class=\"author-bio\"><span class='item-company'>Kentucky, USA<\/span><\/h4><\/div><div class=\"item-content-wrapper tss-right\"><div class='item-content'><p>West River Academy is wonderful. It is so non-invasive of your family and you can school whatever way you want! I highly recommend you to everyone I know.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class='rt-col-md-12 rt-col-sm-6 rt-col-xs-12 even-grid-item tss-grid-item even-grid-item default-margin'><div class=\"single-item-wrapper\"><div class=\"tss-meta-info tss-left\"><div class='profile-img-wrapper'><img alt='Quote Image' class='rt-responsive-img' src='https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Quote-Image.png' loading='lazy' \/><\/div><h3 class='author-name'>ANN<\/h3><h4 class=\"author-bio\"><span class='item-company'>Colorado USA<\/span><\/h4><\/div><div class=\"item-content-wrapper tss-right\"><div class='item-content'><p>Our unschooling journey is finally over. It\u2019s been great. My girls have turned out better than I ever hoped! Thank you for all your help and role modeling for what is possible outside the system.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class='rt-col-md-12 rt-col-sm-6 rt-col-xs-12 even-grid-item tss-grid-item even-grid-item default-margin'><div class=\"single-item-wrapper\"><div class=\"tss-meta-info tss-left\"><div class='profile-img-wrapper'><img alt='Quote Image' class='rt-responsive-img' src='https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Quote-Image.png' loading='lazy' \/><\/div><h3 class='author-name'>SHERYL<\/h3><h4 class=\"author-bio\"><span class='item-company'>Missouri, USA<\/span><\/h4><\/div><div class=\"item-content-wrapper tss-right\"><div class='item-content'><p>The unschooling schedule allowed Peter the time to develop as an individual and to learn through his own study, analysis, and experience.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class='rt-col-md-12 rt-col-sm-6 rt-col-xs-12 even-grid-item tss-grid-item even-grid-item default-margin'><div class=\"single-item-wrapper\"><div class=\"tss-meta-info tss-left\"><div class='profile-img-wrapper'><img alt='Quote Image' class='rt-responsive-img' src='https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Quote-Image.png' loading='lazy' \/><\/div><h3 class='author-name'>LILIANE<\/h3><h4 class=\"author-bio\"><span class='item-company'>Taiwan, ROC<\/span><\/h4><\/div><div class=\"item-content-wrapper tss-right\"><div class='item-content'><p>You and your school are like a dream come true for me and my teens. I have told everyone I know about your school!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class='rt-col-md-12 rt-col-sm-6 rt-col-xs-12 even-grid-item tss-grid-item even-grid-item default-margin'><div class=\"single-item-wrapper\"><div class=\"tss-meta-info tss-left\"><div class='profile-img-wrapper'><img alt='Quote Image' class='rt-responsive-img' src='https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Quote-Image.png' loading='lazy' \/><\/div><h3 class='author-name'>SHARON<\/h3><h4 class=\"author-bio\"><span class='item-company'>Colorado, USA<\/span><\/h4><\/div><div class=\"item-content-wrapper tss-right\"><div class='item-content'><p>I never let an opportunity go by to share Amanda\u2019s school experience with anyone; it was the single best thing we ever did for her education!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class='rt-col-md-12 rt-col-sm-6 rt-col-xs-12 even-grid-item tss-grid-item even-grid-item default-margin'><div class=\"single-item-wrapper\"><div class=\"tss-meta-info tss-left\"><div class='profile-img-wrapper'><img alt='Quote Image' class='rt-responsive-img' src='https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Quote-Image.png' loading='lazy' \/><\/div><h3 class='author-name'>JOEY<\/h3><h4 class=\"author-bio\"><span class='item-company'>Colorado, USA<\/span><\/h4><\/div><div class=\"item-content-wrapper tss-right\"><div class='item-content'><p>Thank you West River Academy for being there when we needed you most. When no one else was there to help us, you were there. My daughter was able to feel stronger and take charge of her life.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class='rt-col-md-12 rt-col-sm-6 rt-col-xs-12 even-grid-item tss-grid-item even-grid-item default-margin'><div class=\"single-item-wrapper\"><div class=\"tss-meta-info tss-left\"><div class='profile-img-wrapper'><img alt='Quote Image' class='rt-responsive-img' src='https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Quote-Image.png' loading='lazy' \/><\/div><h3 class='author-name'>DOT<\/h3><h4 class=\"author-bio\"><span class='item-company'>Massachusetts, USA<\/span><\/h4><\/div><div class=\"item-content-wrapper tss-right\"><div class='item-content'><p>I am so glad that we have chosen this way of life instead of conventional public school. It has really paid off watching all of my son\u2019s interests bloom into great accomplishments. Thank you for all you have done for us!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class='rt-col-md-12 rt-col-sm-6 rt-col-xs-12 even-grid-item tss-grid-item even-grid-item default-margin'><div class=\"single-item-wrapper\"><div class=\"tss-meta-info tss-left\"><div class='profile-img-wrapper'><img alt='Quote Image' class='rt-responsive-img' src='https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Quote-Image.png' loading='lazy' \/><\/div><h3 class='author-name'>MARK<\/h3><h4 class=\"author-bio\"><span class='item-company'>Colorado, USA<\/span><\/h4><\/div><div class=\"item-content-wrapper tss-right\"><div class='item-content'><p>Amanda\u2019s plan is to become a forensic anthropologist and she has such excitement and high hopes for her future. It\u2019s truly wonderous to see when at one time in her life, school was nothing but a struggle for her. So I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the service and direction you provide to so many families!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class='rt-col-md-12 rt-col-sm-6 rt-col-xs-12 even-grid-item tss-grid-item even-grid-item default-margin'><div class=\"single-item-wrapper\"><div class=\"tss-meta-info tss-left\"><div class='profile-img-wrapper'><img alt='Quote Image' class='rt-responsive-img' src='https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Quote-Image.png' loading='lazy' \/><\/div><h3 class='author-name'>MARLA<\/h3><h4 class=\"author-bio\"><span class='item-company'>Argentina<\/span><\/h4><\/div><div class=\"item-content-wrapper tss-right\"><div class='item-content'><p>Before starting with West River Academy, the education of our child in a traditional school was a tiring experience, a heavy work, without inspiration. It was just an obligation that we didn\u2019t want to do anymore. West River Academy allowed us as a family to experience education in a new paradigm. It\u2019s a wonderful adventure to learn together as family. Thank you West River Academy!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class='rt-col-md-12 rt-col-sm-6 rt-col-xs-12 even-grid-item tss-grid-item even-grid-item default-margin'><div class=\"single-item-wrapper\"><div class=\"tss-meta-info tss-left\"><div class='profile-img-wrapper'><img alt='Quote Image' class='rt-responsive-img' src='https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Quote-Image.png' loading='lazy' \/><\/div><h3 class='author-name'>GWEN &#038; BOB<\/h3><h4 class=\"author-bio\"><span class='item-company'>Colorado, USA<\/span><\/h4><\/div><div class=\"item-content-wrapper tss-right\"><div class='item-content'><p>I just wanted to let you know that Cole was accepted into Colorado State University. We have a couple more schools to hear from, but CSU is his first choice because it is one of the few schools with both Apparel Design and Business programs. We would have never been able to engineer a turnaround for Cole without the flexibility that West River Academy provided and allowed him to complete his education in his own way. Thank you!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class='rt-col-md-12 rt-col-sm-6 rt-col-xs-12 even-grid-item tss-grid-item even-grid-item default-margin'><div class=\"single-item-wrapper\"><div class=\"tss-meta-info tss-left\"><div class='profile-img-wrapper'><img alt='Quote Image' class='rt-responsive-img' src='https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Quote-Image.png' loading='lazy' \/><\/div><h3 class='author-name'>JADA<\/h3><h4 class=\"author-bio\"><span class='item-company'>Colorado, USA<\/span><\/h4><\/div><div class=\"item-content-wrapper tss-right\"><div class='item-content'><p>I wanted to start off by saying that the Universe really does give us what we truly need. When I was at a loss on how to navigate the school system for a daughter who is struggling with depression and anxiety, I simply came across West River Academy. Thank you, thank you for making it easy and for creating this. It\u2019s allowed my daughter to explore herself, and finally become proactive in her healing. And it\u2019s allowed me to not be so stressed out! That\u2019s important for a mama!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class='rt-col-md-12 rt-col-sm-6 rt-col-xs-12 even-grid-item tss-grid-item even-grid-item default-margin'><div class=\"single-item-wrapper\"><div class=\"tss-meta-info tss-left\"><div class='profile-img-wrapper'><img alt='Quote Image' class='rt-responsive-img' src='https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Quote-Image.png' loading='lazy' \/><\/div><h3 class='author-name'>Janet<\/h3><h4 class=\"author-bio\"><span class='item-company'>Colorado, USA<\/span><\/h4><\/div><div class=\"item-content-wrapper tss-right\"><div class='item-content'><p>Thank you so much for all your guidance, support and understanding. The journey has felt so much richer and more secure because of your input. I can\u2019t express my gratitude to you enough!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class='rt-col-md-12 rt-col-sm-6 rt-col-xs-12 even-grid-item tss-grid-item even-grid-item default-margin'><div class=\"single-item-wrapper\"><div class=\"tss-meta-info tss-left\"><div class='profile-img-wrapper'><img alt='Quote Image' class='rt-responsive-img' src='https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Quote-Image.png' loading='lazy' \/><\/div><h3 class='author-name'>CATRINA<\/h3><h4 class=\"author-bio\"><span class='item-company'>Romania<\/span><\/h4><\/div><div class=\"item-content-wrapper tss-right\"><div class='item-content'><p>I can\u2019t thank you enough for the opportunity to get to know myself and just be free!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class='rt-col-md-12 rt-col-sm-6 rt-col-xs-12 even-grid-item tss-grid-item even-grid-item default-margin'><div class=\"single-item-wrapper\"><div class=\"tss-meta-info tss-left\"><div class='profile-img-wrapper'><img alt='Quote Image' class='rt-responsive-img' src='https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Quote-Image.png' loading='lazy' \/><\/div><h3 class='author-name'>GWENDOLYN<\/h3><h4 class=\"author-bio\"><span class='item-company'>Colorado, USA<\/span><\/h4><\/div><div class=\"item-content-wrapper tss-right\"><div class='item-content'><p>One of the greatest things about West River Academy is that it allowed me to combine my interests with education.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class='rt-col-md-12 rt-col-sm-6 rt-col-xs-12 even-grid-item tss-grid-item even-grid-item default-margin'><div class=\"single-item-wrapper\"><div class=\"tss-meta-info tss-left\"><div class='profile-img-wrapper'><img alt='Quote Image' class='rt-responsive-img' src='https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Quote-Image.png' loading='lazy' \/><\/div><h3 class='author-name'>UMO<\/h3><h4 class=\"author-bio\"><span class='item-company'>Argentina<\/span><\/h4><\/div><div class=\"item-content-wrapper tss-right\"><div class='item-content'><p>Before entering the academy, I was bored and depressed locked in my room all day, tired and unmotivated. Now I use my time how I want to and have the freedom to be myself.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class='rt-col-md-12 rt-col-sm-6 rt-col-xs-12 even-grid-item tss-grid-item even-grid-item default-margin'><div class=\"single-item-wrapper\"><div class=\"tss-meta-info tss-left\"><div class='profile-img-wrapper'><img alt='Quote Image' class='rt-responsive-img' src='https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Quote-Image.png' loading='lazy' \/><\/div><h3 class='author-name'>AMANDA<\/h3><h4 class=\"author-bio\"><span class='item-company'>Colorado, USA<\/span><\/h4><\/div><div class=\"item-content-wrapper tss-right\"><div class='item-content'><p>I tell people about your school all the time; it\u2019s an amazing program, you were an amazing help, and I\u2019m still as excited about your school now as I was when I first enrolled!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class='rt-col-md-12 rt-col-sm-6 rt-col-xs-12 even-grid-item tss-grid-item even-grid-item default-margin'><div class=\"single-item-wrapper\"><div class=\"tss-meta-info tss-left\"><div class='profile-img-wrapper'><img alt='Quote Image' class='rt-responsive-img' src='https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Quote-Image.png' loading='lazy' \/><\/div><h3 class='author-name'>LISA<\/h3><h4 class=\"author-bio\"><span class='item-company'>California, USA<\/span><\/h4><\/div><div class=\"item-content-wrapper tss-right\"><div class='item-content'><p>I can\u2019t express how much we appreciate the flexibility of working with West River Academy and how perfect it is for her learning style. I highly recommend you to everyone!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class='rt-col-md-12 rt-col-sm-6 rt-col-xs-12 even-grid-item tss-grid-item even-grid-item default-margin'><div class=\"single-item-wrapper\"><div class=\"tss-meta-info tss-left\"><div class='profile-img-wrapper'><img alt='Quote Image' class='rt-responsive-img' src='https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Quote-Image.png' loading='lazy' \/><\/div><h3 class='author-name'>GRANT<\/h3><h4 class=\"author-bio\"><span class='item-company'>Colorado, USA<\/span><\/h4><\/div><div class=\"item-content-wrapper tss-right\"><div class='item-content'><p>Over the past year or so I have learned more about my life and myself than ever before. I have learned about making music, the benefits of self-reflection, relationships, things that inspire me to pursue my life goals, and just overall life skills!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class='rt-col-md-12 rt-col-sm-6 rt-col-xs-12 even-grid-item tss-grid-item even-grid-item default-margin'><div class=\"single-item-wrapper\"><div class=\"tss-meta-info tss-left\"><div class='profile-img-wrapper'><img alt='Quote Image' class='rt-responsive-img' src='https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Quote-Image.png' loading='lazy' \/><\/div><h3 class='author-name'>NATANAEL<\/h3><h4 class=\"author-bio\"><span class='item-company'>Chile<\/span><\/h4><\/div><div class=\"item-content-wrapper tss-right\"><div class='item-content'><p>I\u2019m very thankful for West River Academy for being there for me. During the time that we worked together, I learned a lot about myself and I will miss the entire experience. Thank you for being so understanding with me.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class='rt-col-md-12 rt-col-sm-6 rt-col-xs-12 even-grid-item tss-grid-item even-grid-item default-margin'><div class=\"single-item-wrapper\"><div class=\"tss-meta-info tss-left\"><div class='profile-img-wrapper'><img alt='Quote Image' class='rt-responsive-img' src='https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Quote-Image.png' loading='lazy' \/><\/div><h3 class='author-name'>JACQUELINE<\/h3><h4 class=\"author-bio\"><span class='item-company'>Missouri USA<\/span><\/h4><\/div><div class=\"item-content-wrapper tss-right\"><div class='item-content'><p>I want to thank you for being so supportive over the years. I am so thankful that my parents found your school. It has been exactly what I needed and you gave me the freedom to be who I want to be and learn in a way that was right for me.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class='rt-col-md-12 rt-col-sm-6 rt-col-xs-12 even-grid-item tss-grid-item even-grid-item default-margin'><div class=\"single-item-wrapper\"><div class=\"tss-meta-info tss-left\"><div class='profile-img-wrapper'><img alt='Quote Image' class='rt-responsive-img' src='https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Quote-Image.png' loading='lazy' \/><\/div><h3 class='author-name'>MATTHEW<\/h3><h4 class=\"author-bio\"><span class='item-company'>Missouri USA<\/span><\/h4><\/div><div class=\"item-content-wrapper tss-right\"><div class='item-content'><p>Being in West River Academy has been one of the best experiences of my life and I have learned so much. I was able to unlock my inner self and my inner child. I was allowed to have fun while learning and be able to express myself as well as be more curious. I don\u2019t think I would have changed a thing.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class='rt-col-md-12 rt-col-sm-6 rt-col-xs-12 even-grid-item tss-grid-item even-grid-item default-margin'><div class=\"single-item-wrapper\"><div class=\"tss-meta-info tss-left\"><div class='profile-img-wrapper'><img alt='Quote Image' class='rt-responsive-img' src='https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Quote-Image.png' loading='lazy' \/><\/div><h3 class='author-name'>JESSE<\/h3><h4 class=\"author-bio\"><span class='item-company'>Nevada, USA<\/span><\/h4><\/div><div class=\"item-content-wrapper tss-right\"><div class='item-content'><p>I have enjoyed this experience so much and I love Peggy\u2019s approach to education. Even when I graduate, I\u2019m definitely going to keep up on some of the valuable habits I\u2019ve learned through your program. Thank you, Peggy, for providing a wonderful homeschool program that fit me perfectly!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class='rt-col-md-12 rt-col-sm-6 rt-col-xs-12 even-grid-item tss-grid-item even-grid-item default-margin'><div class=\"single-item-wrapper\"><div class=\"tss-meta-info tss-left\"><div class='profile-img-wrapper'><img alt='Quote Image' class='rt-responsive-img' src='https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Quote-Image.png' loading='lazy' \/><\/div><h3 class='author-name'>VICTORIA<\/h3><h4 class=\"author-bio\"><span class='item-company'>Colorado, USA<\/span><\/h4><\/div><div class=\"item-content-wrapper tss-right\"><div class='item-content'><p>I would like to thank West River Academy for all the support over the last four years. I feel blessed to have been able to experience such unique schooling and such a wide range of subjects. I feel confident that I have the knowledge and skills to succeed in college and in life in general.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class='rt-col-md-12 rt-col-sm-6 rt-col-xs-12 even-grid-item tss-grid-item even-grid-item default-margin'><div class=\"single-item-wrapper\"><div class=\"tss-meta-info tss-left\"><div class='profile-img-wrapper'><img alt='Quote Image' class='rt-responsive-img' src='https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Quote-Image.png' loading='lazy' \/><\/div><h3 class='author-name'>ESTER<\/h3><h4 class=\"author-bio\"><span class='item-company'>British Colombia, Canada<\/span><\/h4><\/div><div class=\"item-content-wrapper tss-right\"><div class='item-content'><p>This alternative to regular schooling gave me the freedom to create my own curriculum according to my schedule. It got rid of all of the anguish and stress that families usually seem to experience when going through the schooling system. Also, I have exciting news; I have now been accepted into all of the colleges that I was working towards!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class='rt-col-md-12 rt-col-sm-6 rt-col-xs-12 even-grid-item tss-grid-item even-grid-item default-margin'><div class=\"single-item-wrapper\"><div class=\"tss-meta-info tss-left\"><div class='profile-img-wrapper'><img alt='Quote Image' class='rt-responsive-img' src='https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Quote-Image.png' loading='lazy' \/><\/div><h3 class='author-name'>MITCHELL<\/h3><h4 class=\"author-bio\"><span class='item-company'>Colorado, USA<\/span><\/h4><\/div><div class=\"item-content-wrapper tss-right\"><div class='item-content'><p>I have been able to achieve a great education. I have learned that there is always more than one way to achieve your goals. Through West River Academy, I have learned about real life by doing real life experiences. My family has taught me not only math, reading, and writing, but they have taught me about fixing cars, balancing budgets and so much more.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class='rt-col-md-12 rt-col-sm-6 rt-col-xs-12 even-grid-item tss-grid-item even-grid-item default-margin'><div class=\"single-item-wrapper\"><div class=\"tss-meta-info tss-left\"><div class='profile-img-wrapper'><img alt='Quote Image' class='rt-responsive-img' src='https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Quote-Image.png' loading='lazy' \/><\/div><h3 class='author-name'>AARON<\/h3><h4 class=\"author-bio\"><span class='item-company'>Washington USA<\/span><\/h4><\/div><div class=\"item-content-wrapper tss-right\"><div class='item-content'><p>I have truly enjoyed being a part of West River Academy and I feel I have learned many valuable lessons, both educational and practical lessons for life. I feel I am ready to face all of the new challenges that I will be given as a young adult. I am thankful for your academy and all your hard work in helping my family achieve our goals in our homeschooling journey.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class='rt-col-md-12 rt-col-sm-6 rt-col-xs-12 even-grid-item tss-grid-item even-grid-item default-margin'><div class=\"single-item-wrapper\"><div class=\"tss-meta-info tss-left\"><div class='profile-img-wrapper'><img alt='Quote Image' class='rt-responsive-img' src='https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Quote-Image.png' loading='lazy' \/><\/div><h3 class='author-name'>DAVID<\/h3><h4 class=\"author-bio\"><span class='item-company'>Colorado, USA<\/span><\/h4><\/div><div class=\"item-content-wrapper tss-right\"><div class='item-content'><p>West River Academy has changed my life. If I was still in traditional school, I think I would either be dead or in jail. This program, this school, this new way of thinking and learning is the greatest thing anyone could ask for. Because of you I have been able to pursue my dreams in skiing and in life, without interruptions, stress over grades, tests or stress of being in the mediocre school environment. I truly thank you from the deepest place in my heart!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class='rt-col-md-12 rt-col-sm-6 rt-col-xs-12 even-grid-item tss-grid-item even-grid-item default-margin'><div class=\"single-item-wrapper\"><div class=\"tss-meta-info tss-left\"><div class='profile-img-wrapper'><img alt='Quote Image' class='rt-responsive-img' src='https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Quote-Image.png' loading='lazy' \/><\/div><h3 class='author-name'>LAURA<\/h3><h4 class=\"author-bio\"><span class='item-company'>Texas USA<\/span><\/h4><\/div><div class=\"item-content-wrapper tss-right\"><div class='item-content'><p>These past four years in West River Academy have been the highlight of my teenage years. This experience has been about me and finding out who I am. Finding your school was the most essential part of the beginning of my new life. I sincerely believe that this was meant to be; your academy changed my life! Thank you so much. I\u2019ll never forget that your school was the only one that gave me a chance when no one else would.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class='rt-col-md-12 rt-col-sm-6 rt-col-xs-12 even-grid-item tss-grid-item even-grid-item default-margin'><div class=\"single-item-wrapper\"><div class=\"tss-meta-info tss-left\"><div class='profile-img-wrapper'><img alt='Quote Image' class='rt-responsive-img' src='https:\/\/westriveracademy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Quote-Image.png' loading='lazy' \/><\/div><h3 class='author-name'>P.G.<\/h3><h4 class=\"author-bio\"><span class='item-company'>Hawaii, USA<\/span><\/h4><\/div><div class=\"item-content-wrapper tss-right\"><div class='item-content'><p>For the past couple of years it was very difficult to even think about what I would do the next day because of my anxiety and depression. The thought of getting a high school diploma seemed unrealistic in my mind. Well, look at me now; I\u2019m halfway to receiving my diploma and I am so grateful for West River Academy! I have a clearer vision of a possible future and the confidence to believe in myself.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"vc_row-full-width vc_clearfix\"><\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"For the past couple of years it was very difficult to even think about what I would do the next day because of my anxiety and depression. The thought of getting a high school diploma seemed unrealistic in my mind. 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