Carter and mom, Bionca, at a Bully Barricade Foundation event
“The parent is considered to be a learning coach,” says Smith, who shares their roadschooling experiences on the Off The Grid With A Kid blog and with videos on YouTube. “We support our children by making sure they’re on track and assist immediately as needed.” Carter’s teachers connect with him on one-on-one video chats, phone calls, secure email and chat features within the school’s platform. Students can take part in group discussions and collaborate on problem-solving
exercises. There’s also the opportunity to meet in person with classmates and teachers via school-sponsored field trips, social events and community service projects. Kids can even join clubs ranging from art and science to chess and video gaming, as well as career prep, National Honor Society and student council. “It’s incredible to be able to work beside my son and watch him joyfully explore the world without boundaries,” says Smith. “He has become very brave, resourceful and confident in who he is.”
In their spare time, Smith and Carter run a nonprofit organization called the Bully Barricade Foundation, through which they visit schools and talk about how children can handle being bullied. The foundation also connects roadschooling families through Facebook groups, sometimes facilitating in-person meetings.
For Whitley Alpher, 14, and her brother, Josiah, 17, who are also enrolled in Connections Academy,
BIONCA SMITH; GETTY IMAGES
“TRAVELING ON THE ROAD MEANS THAT THE TEXTBOOKS COME TO LIFE. ROADSCHOOLING IS LIKE BEING ON A NEVER-ENDING FIELD TRIP OR A MAGIC SCHOOL BUS. EVERY DAY FEELS LIKE SATURDAY.” — BIONCA SMITH, mother of roadschooling student, Carter
Bionca Smith and son Carter
74 BACK TO SCHOOL | 2020