Success stories of CCA learners

When Carrie Varner of Franklin County first considered cyber education, she admits she had her doubts. 

“To be totally honest, I did not think cyber schools were any good for students,” Carrie shared, noting that her perspective was shaped in part by her mother, a longtime brick-and-mortar school teacher. But after seeing firsthand how Commonwealth Charter Academy (CCA) supports students and families, her opinion changed completely. 

The Varner family’s CCA journey began when Carrie’s older son, Brandon, felt disconnected from the traditional school environment. After researching cyber school options and visiting a CCA family service center, Carrie and her husband recognized that CCA’s personalized learning model could better support their son’s goals and interests. Brandon enrolled in January 2020, and his younger brother, Casey, soon followed. 

For Brandon, CCA’s flexibility provided opportunities that extended far beyond the classroom. While pursuing his education, he worked throughout high school, often completing school assignments in the evenings. The ability to balance academics with real-world work experience helped him develop a strong work ethic and valuable time management skills. After graduating from CCA in 2022 and attending The Ohio State University, Brandon returned home and launched his own dairy business. Carrie believes CCA helped prepare him for that success by allowing him to gain meaningful work experience while earning his diploma. 

Casey’s path looked different but was equally successful. With support from CCA staff, he was able to accelerate his studies and graduate a full year early in 2026. Today, he is attending SAM Tech in Texas, pursuing specialized training to become a high-performance engine builder. 

Carrie says one of the greatest benefits of CCA was the flexibility it offered their family. As part-time farmers and self-employed business owners, the Varners appreciated having a schedule that allowed their sons to contribute at home, work toward career goals, and stay on track academically. That flexibility also helped both students learn one of the most important life skills they carry with them today: time management. 

CCA’s commitment to career readiness also played a key role in helping the brothers discover their futures. Both Brandon and Casey explored engineering courses through CCA and learned early on that the field was not the right fit for them. That opportunity to explore career pathways while still in high school helped them make informed decisions about their next steps. 

Looking back, Carrie is especially grateful for the support her family received from CCA teachers and staff. Whether answering questions, helping students meet ambitious goals, or providing flexibility when it mattered most, she says the CCA team was always responsive and supportive. For the Varner family, CCA delivered exactly what they were looking for: a personalized education, flexible learning environment, and a strong foundation for lifelong success.