What does the life of an eighth-grade homeschooler look like? For Alexis Chavez, it's all about flexibility, crafts, and learning in a space she makes her own. 

When I arrived at the Chavez household, I was greeted by Alexis’s grandmother and teaching coach, Terrie Stamp, along with their 10-year-old German Shepherd, Jada. Alexis stood just behind her grandmother in the hallway, nervously smiling at me from over her shoulder. A student with Feather River, one of the schools with Sequoia Grove Charter Alliance, Alexis welcomed me into her new home – one she had only moved into a couple of weeks earlier. Also at home was her younger brother, who participates in a different flexible learning program that he attends in person twice a week.

Although Alexis was still settling into her new routine, her days followed a familiar rhythm.

She usually starts her morning relaxing in bed and messaging her cousins. “I don’t have social media,” she explained, “so I don’t spend much time doing anything like that.” After getting up, Alexis gets ready at her pink-tastic vanity, watching videos on her tablet and easing into one of her favorite hobbies – makeup.

In the corner of her bedroom, a pink shelf neatly displays her skincare and makeup products. Everything is organized, and it’s clear that self-care is important to Alexis – like it is for many eighth graders. A white dresser displayed other elements of her personality, a small stuffed highland cow, a miniature plastic horse, and different floral hair clips to accessorize with.

When it’s time for schoolwork, Alexis goes downstairs where she has a desk specially set up just for her learning. A mounted PC sits in front of her, with textbooks neatly stacked beside the monitor. Her desk faces a window so she can look outside for quick breaks, and, fittingly, her chair is also pink.

“I like focusing on math and history first to get them out of the way,” she explained. “My favorite subject is science. I like animals, scientific processes, and things like that. Then I do my EL classes and other work.”

To the right of her desk is a closet that Alexis has transformed into a cozy habitat for her two leopard geckos, Echo and Candy. Alexis loves animals, especially marine life, and is fascinated by lesser-known creatures and the depth of the ocean. She shared that she wants to care for animals that people don’t always think about.

Alexis washed her hands and proudly introduced me to Echo, gently lifting her from the enclosure. She softly stroked Echo’s head, smiling as she gave her affirmations about how cute she is.

When I asked if she fed her geckos crickets, Alexis laughed. “Oh no,” she said. “I read on Google one day that they can jump up to a foot high, and I was done after that.” Instead, Echo enjoys mealworms and roaches.

Behind her desk is a couch where Alexis likes to relax or work on another favorite hobby of hers, crocheting. At the foot of the couch sits Jada’s dog bed, clearly claimed as her spot. With her pets nearby, Alexis walked me through her school routine.

“I like focusing on math and history first to get them out of the way,” she explained. “My favorite subject is science. I like animals, scientific processes, and things like that. Then I do my EL classes and other work.”

On most days, Alexis completes her workbook assignments in about two hours. “I also have online classes,” she said, “but depending on the day, I can finish pretty quickly.” This focused approach allows her more time to explore her interests through enrichment classes. Alexis is involved with many of our Adventure Academy classes, and is currently enrolled in “Mysteries of the Math Jungle” where she further develops her critical thinking skills by solving mysteries and puzzles. 

“There are actually really fun classes,” she explained. “Traditional public school doesn’t have these kinds of options.”

She is also enrolled in a class about Alexander the Great and his legacy, where she is learning how different cultures influenced one another throughout history. In addition, Alexis has been able to take English riding lessons, where she is learning how to care for and ride horses.

Her most favorite hobby this semester is the Crochet Club. “I love it,” Alexis shared. “My teacher, Mrs. Shaw, shows us how to make really cute things.” Alexis has also started learning how to sew and is currently working on a highland cow project – one she is especially excited about. “I know I already have two in my room, but I decided I need more.” She stated matter-of-factly. 

She has taken many other enrichment classes as well, including a makeup course focused on theatrical and party looks. “It was really cool,” she said.

When comparing homeschooling at Feather River to a more traditional public school, Alexis highlighted the freedom to explore her interests. “There are actually really fun classes,” she explained. “Traditional public school doesn’t have these kinds of options.”

For Alexis, being an eighth-grade homeschooler at Feather River means learning at her own pace, building strong routines that allow her to focus on what she cares about, and having the time and space to grow academically while still nurturing her creativity and passions.