PSPVA Student Spotlight: Maria W.

Our PSPVA families are no stranger to the impact of school choice. We are honored to be able to impact the lives of students by meeting them where they are and providing a high-quality education tailored to their specific needs.

Meet Maria – a junior at PSPVA who was diagnosed with a chronic illness in 2021.

In a short period of time, Maria went from being an active, competitive swimmer to being unable to attend her brick-and-mortar school without passing out from her Dysautonomia. Not wanting to fall behind, Maria’s family tried several different school options, but nothing worked. In 2024, the family discovered Pine Springs Virtual Preparatory Academy, allowing Maria to attend online live classes with other students and continue to prioritize her health.

As Maria shared, “It’s hard being a normal high school student one day and then not being able to do the things you used to do the next. Through my online charter school, I’ve been able to build a new version of normal that helps me get what I need while still feeling like a regular teenager – an option I wouldn’t have without school choice.”

With the flexibility and support PSPVA has provided, not only has Maria been able to stay on track with school, but she’s also dual enrolled in a nursing program at her local college. She hopes to pursue a career in aesthetic nursing after high school and is actively taking steps to further that career alongside her schoolwork.

In her free time, Maria coaches her local high school’s swim team to stay close to the sport she loves and is involved in her church’s youth group.

We’re excited to see all that’s to come for Maria!

Interested in enrolling at PSPVA? Enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year opens on March 3, 2025. Keep an eye on our website for more details.