The Gilland Family
Graduates: Caitlin and Caleb
Students: Emma and Kayla
Learning Coach: Christina
“Don’t mess with success” could be a motto for the Gilland family. Siblings Caitlin and Caleb graduated from Ohio Connections Academy in 2021 and 2023, respectively. Their twin siblings, Emma and Kayla, are currently kindergarteners at our school.
One Family, Four Students, One Online School
Christina Gilland is both mom and Learning Coach for all four siblings and has great confidence in the quality of our school’s curriculum. She has seen firsthand how Ohio Connections Academy encourages students to develop the skills needed to become self-driven, organized, responsible learners.
Speaking from many years of experience, Christina said this school has worked very well for the family. They like the challenging curriculum and the fact that teachers are willing to accommodate each child’s individual needs and learning style. In addition, our school’s online approach offers flexibility, which works for the Gillands, who stay busy with church, work, outdoor activities, and foster children.
Innovating and Evolving to Meet Student Needs
Caitlin began attending our school in first grade; Caleb started in kindergarten. Both attended through graduation. When Christina compares the experience of her older children to Emma and Kayla’s current enrollment, she sees how successfully the school has innovated its curriculum and evolved to meet the needs and expectations of students.
Reports Christina, “The quality has always been there; now it’s definitely different, as a whole lot more is expected from kindergarteners. Emma and Kayla are learning about verbs and adjectives and overall have more robust language and math lessons.”
Christina said that in addition to using advanced lesson techniques, the school makes adjustments to meet the learning needs of her girls, who have mastered the sounds of letters and are learning letter names.
A School that Teaches Good Learning Habits
Caleb and Caitlin are excellent examples of how Ohio Connections Academy tailors learning for each student. Christina said Caitlin, who will graduate from Indiana University East with a degree in elementary education, learns by good note taking and revisiting material. Caleb was different in that “if he saw it, he knew it,” said Christina. Though she still provided plenty of guidance to make sure Caleb absorbed the material.
According to Christina, Caitlin has been successful in college — she’s been on the Chancellor’s List every semester — in part because of the excellent learning habits she acquired at our school. Said Christina, “Although physical attendance in a classroom was new for Caitlin, she had more experience than other students with things like Dropbox, taking good notes, self-initiative, and time management.
“It was interesting to see stereotypes of home-schooling play out for Caitlin, as some of her fellow students would tease her that home-schooling meant her mom must have given her good grades and that she had an easy experience. Those assumptions were far from the truth. Ohio Connections Academy has rigid requirements, the curriculum is demanding, and Caitlin’s teachers graded her work, not me!”
Supporting Students no Matter What Their Career Path
Caleb’s experience at Ohio Connections Academy was also good academically. With Christina’s coaching, he was able to navigate classes and work with teachers who responded well to his learning needs. Caleb now has a career that started his junior year.
When he was 16, a local HVAC company accepted Caleb for an apprentice program. He was soon working full-time and by his senior year, had his own van for HVAC repair projects. Caleb continues to gain experience and have success with the company.
“Another plus for Ohio Connections Academy is that they encourage students no matter what their plans are after high school,” said Christina, who appreciates that the school does not pressure students to attend college. Graduating seniors who choose trade schools, the military, or other career paths are all supported.
The Importance of a Learning Coach
For families who may be considering Ohio Connections Academy, Christina said there are potential challenges to consider and think through. Although the school helps students master the tools they need to thrive and learn independently, Christina said that active Learning Coaches are essential.
“Being a Learning Coach is a demanding job, especially when kids are in elementary grades,” said Christina. “For Emma and Kayla, I must be close to help them with writing and paying attention to the lessons with no distractions. Kindergarten takes up to five-and-a-half hours each school day and the curriculum is robust.” She said that as students progress, they need less hands-on help but still need an advocate and someone who’s aware of their activities.
There were times when learning was challenging and Christina worked with the school to find solutions, such as changing teachers and having instruction adapted to meet the needs of her kids. Christina said it’s important that Learning Coaches maintain open lines of communication with the school and work together to ensure the best possible outcome for students.
The quality of this school is truly outstanding. We’ve built friendships and lifelong connections. We stay in touch with teachers who ask how the kids are doing and are interested in their ongoing success.
— Christina, Mom and Learning Coach
Field Trips, School Outings, and More
Virtual schooling at home is also best served by having a dedicated learning space. Another change Christina noted from the time her older kids attended Ohio Connections Academy is the prevalence of Wi-Fi. She said if the house is without power or the kindergartners need to be somewhere other than home, they can attend on-camera LiveLesson® sessions or do their schoolwork just about anywhere.
For Ohio Connections Academy families, virtual school also includes the extracurricular activities students love. Christina said Caitlin and Caleb enjoyed frequent field trips and school outings with other school families in their area of the state. In addition, Caleb was able to participate in track and field at the local public school. Caitlin played basketball and track and field, also at the public school, and went on to take part in track and field in college. In addition, church softball leagues, youth groups and other activities keep the family busy, and Christina anticipates there will be field trips and gatherings for Emma and Kayla.
Christina shared that Ohio Connections Academy’s flexibility benefited the entire family, especially when she was sidelined with breast cancer. Her treatment required multiple surgeries and adjustment to a routine that involved school along with her health and recovery needs. All in all, the Gillands are one happy family, with four happy Ohio Connections Academy kids.
The family gathered at Caleb's wedding. Caleb married Halle, another OCA graduate and best friend of Caitlin!