Luke Woodmender fell behind in reading and writing in kindergarten and the struggles continued into the beginning of fifth grade.
Today, though, Luke is a high school graduate about to enter Drexel University.
Luke, a Somerton resident, and his mom, Jenn, credit Agora Cyber Charter School with helping him like school, develop a love of reading and set him up for success in college and beyond.
“It was impactful for my learning,” Luke said of his time at Agora. “I went from not being able to read a page to being able to read full books.”
When Luke was in public school, his mom said he had good teachers who tried to get him help, but he did not like being in a special class away from the other students.
“I was ready to move on from that school,” he said.
A week into his fifth-grade year, he enrolled at Agora. His older brother, Shawn, spent four years at Agora.
Luke thrived in his eight years spent at Agora, culminating in his graduation on June 10.
“It opened a whole new world of learning,” his mom said. “It made him want to learn.”
Luke, now 17, and his mom said Agora teachers were always available for questions through email and private chats during class.
Luke and his mom also credited family coach Ashley Von Grossen and guidance counselor Ryan Learn with being instrumental in his growth and increased confidence.
“The teachers and staff at Agora were phenomenal,” Jenn said.
Luke said Von Grossen, his family coach since he entered Agora, was a safety net, usually responding to one of his questions within 10 minutes, even when she was off.
“It was a lot of help,” he said.
At Agora, Luke was able to re-watch class recordings when needed and he found the online textbooks condensed in such a way that the information was easy to review.
Luke also enjoyed Agora Days Out, specifically the annual trip to Shady Brook Farm.
“My grades were a lot higher than in public school,” he said. “I got the push I needed.”
Among the classes Luke took in his high school years at Agora were two on computer programming and one apiece on computer literacy and cooking.
Those courses were perfect for someone with an interest in video game design and culinary arts (he cooks at home, including during holiday season).
Though Luke was accepted into the Culinary Institute of America, in New York, and considered Temple, Penn, Penn State and Jefferson, he chose Drexel. He might major in game design and minor in culinary arts, or have a double major, and is looking forward to a possible co-op in computer programming in Singapore.
“The school just resonated with me the most when I went there,” he said of his visit during one of the Drexel Days.
Jenn said Agora provides support for parents – describing family coach Von Grossen as a “big cheerleader” – and she hopes the state lawmakers proposing steep budget cuts for cyber charter schools do not succeed in the ongoing budget negotiations.
Jenn expects Drexel to push her son even further, and Luke plans to spend the summer taking online computer programming and cooking classes so he is ready to go when he starts college.
As for a career choice, Luke plans to see where his experience at Drexel leads him.
“I need that steppingstone before deciding what I want to do,” he said. ••
