School That Travels With You 

Amelia’s classroom doesn’t stay in one place. One week, she’s logging in with snow-covered mountains outside her window. The next, she’s waking up in a new state, ready to start her school day from the road. 

Her school desk just happens to be a fold-down surface inside the sleeper cab of a semi truck. 

Amelia is a fifth grader at Highpoint Virtual Academy of Michigan (HVAM), enrolled since first grade. When she turned 10, Shannon – a long-haul truck driver based out of Detroit – started bringing her along full time. The duo rests in a double bunk sleeper, cooks meals in the cab and uses truck stops like Love’s for showers. They return home about once a month for a few days before heading back out. 

HVAM travels with them. 

Amelia’s Mobile Classroom 

Amelia logs in every morning around 8:30 a.m. for live classes, participating alongside her teachers and classmates in real time through her school-provided computer. Her laptop, provided by HVAM along with headphones, a mouse and textbooks, supports her daily lessons, larger projects and state testing. The family also participates in HVAM’s internet reimbursement program, which is paid out twice during the school year. 

The sleeper cab is quieter than it sounds. While Shannon drives, Amelia has her own space to focus, take notes and complete assignments. Shannon encourages her to write things out by hand so she can review material later. 

When the travel schedule demands it, Amelia works ahead. She recently knocked out two full days of lessons in advance so she and Shannon could focus on the road without falling behind. 

A Parent Who Can Be Present 

Before switching to daytime driving, Shannon worked nights. Supporting Amelia’s schooling from a distance was harder then, and she couldn’t be as involved as she wanted. Now, sitting a few feet from the lessons as they happen, she hears everything. Shannon reviews quizzes and assignments with Amelia afterward and stays on top of what’s being covered in class. 

The results are showing. Amelia’s state scores have improved with each round of testing. Her confidence in class has grown, too. She participates more and enjoys interacting with her teachers and classmates online. 

Go-Karts, Adventure Parks and a Country Full of Classrooms 

The road has given Amelia access to experiences most fifth graders only dream about. She’s explored an adventure park in Wisconsin, gone go-kart racing and watched winter settle over Utah from the cab of a truck. All are opportunities Amelia wouldn’t have had in a brick-and-mortar school setting.  

Virtual school gives Amelia flexibility and lets her rest when the travel gets long. She still shows up and does the work, she just does it from a different zip code every week. 

Want to learn how HVAM can work for your family? Visit our enrollment page to get started.