By: Monica Cardoza and Sofia Borden, moms to Aiden Cardoza and Sylar Borden

A wise mentor once shared with us that, “It takes a village to raise a child!” We have spent our children’s entire lives filling our village with mentors that have helped them become the best versions of themselves.

We are so grateful we found our educational village in Florida Virtual School (FLVS). From the incredible partnerships we have developed with our children’s teachers, counselors, and even the executive team, to the amazing educational experiences their classes and clubs bring them, finding FLVS was a dream come true for our family!

While there is an endless list of reasons why we chose FLVS for our children’s education, we want to share a few that may help you decide if FLVS is the right educational village for your family too.

FLVS, You Had Us at Hello

We are Monica Cardoza, mom to Aiden Cardoza, aka "Captain A" and Sofia Borden, mom to Sylar Borden, aka "Captain SySy." We are a mother-daughter duo who raise our sons as brothers, though they are actually uncle and nephew, born just 11 months apart. Our family dynamics are somewhat unique, but our family needs are the same as any other.

Like most parents preparing young children for their first years at school, you worry if the school you have selected is the best choice for your child. Thankfully, we found the answer to our questions seven years ago at the annual Florida Parent Educators Association (FPEA) Convention.

We learned that FLVS Flex offers a variety of high-quality courses– from core classes, like math, science, and social studies to a large selection of electives, like computer science, world languages, and digital art and design. One of the best parts of selecting classes at FLVS is that you can choose to use the entire curriculum or just supplement parts of your own homeschool program.

This may sound like a lot to take on as parents, but do not fear, you also have a phenomenal village of educators to help you every step of the way! After learning about FLVS Flex and FLVS Full Time, we made the decision to enroll our children in FLVS Flex and have never looked back.

Benefits of Online Learning

Homeschooling and online learning can have a stigma associated with them, but we are here to debunk those old school ideologies. At FLVS, your child will benefit from growing socially, staying safe from bullying, and becoming adept in the use of technology.

Safety From Bullying

Whether attending a meetup online or in-person, the greatest educational relief we found as parents is that children are guaranteed a bully-free learning environment. In today’s world, not everyone can say this. Young hearts are just as precious as growing minds, so knowing our children are cared for by kind and supportive teachers and surrounded by like-minded peers, is just one more benefit we treasure.

Advanced in Technology

The  structure of online learning at FLVS helps advance your child’s adoption of technology. Students learn via live video lessons, navigate recorded learning sessions, use guided online lesson plans, create interactive presentations, take part in one-on-one meetings with their teachers, and more. Plus, FLVS even offers a technology elective course and related clubs for your child to join!

Outstanding Education

The educational advantages FLVS offers is one of the most important reasons we chose them as our provider. It’s also why we continue to choose them year after year. FLVS provides top-notch curriculum, a variety of clubs and activities, and a flexible schedule that works for our family.

Excellent Curriculum

The FLVS curriculum challenges your child to learn, grow, and become the best version of themselves. The curriculum not only meets Florida state standards, it goes far beyond. We know this to be true when our boys start to edit our emails and writings for us! FLVS courses provide an engaging learning experience with interactive games and quizzes, video and audio, and practical written lessons and assessments. The curriculum is thoughtfully designed to help students understand concepts and master new skills.

Student Clubs

If it wasn’t for FLVS, Captain A and Captain SySy may not have learned about the plight of endangered animals around the world.  And they might not have started Captain A TV, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to saving endangered animals and our planet Earth!

Thanks to FLVS clubs, our children have spread their wings even more. Gardening Club leaders, like Mrs. Boyce, have taught our entire family new lessons about caring for the Earth, and Captain A’s Photography Club leaders, Mrs. Mauri and Mrs. Ludlow always challenge him to think outside the box with his photo projects.

Two of Captain A’s project photos were selected to be on display as part of the Orlando Science Center’s “Earth’s Voice: An Environmental Art Exhibit”! We visited the exhibit on opening day and stood looking at Aiden’s photos, tears streaming down our faces. As pride filled our hearts, we knew he had not accomplished this alone, but with our village of wonderful teachers and mentors at FLVS. We’re so thankful. And we continue to choose FLVS because the education our children receive has helped them grow as students, leaders, and humans!

Flexible Schedule

The flexibility FLVS provides means we can create a schedule that meets our family’s needs.  Our boys ask us daily how we can help our planet and animal friends. If they learned about sustainability or an endangered animal during their world language or science lessons for the week, then we may visit our local state parks or an AZA-affiliated zoo  to enhance their educational experience.  With FLVS, we are free to explore without limitations.

Partnership With FLVS

FLVS has been our educational choice since our children started kindergarten. We are beyond grateful for our partnership. The incredible FLVS teachers, club sponsors, counselors, mentors, administrators, and leaders are all a part of our Captains’ homeschool village!

Our advice to current FLVS families or those thinking of enrolling is to embrace the partnership FLVS offers both you and your child. We know firsthand that FLVS is our partner, working for the same goal, growing our children for success as future leaders, and making a difference today.

The great Dr. Seuss once said, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” FLVS offers an unparalleled K-12 online education and endless opportunities for your child to grow.

About the Authors: Monica Cardoza is mom to 11-year-old Aiden Cardoza, and Sofia Borden is mom to 10-year-old Sylar Borden. They are a mother-daughter duo who raise their sons as brothers, though they are actually uncle and nephew, born just 11 months apart. Both Aiden and Sylar are FLVS Flex Homeschool students. The boys also have their own nonprofit, Captain A TV, Inc., a 501(c)(3) to help save endangered animals and our planet.