In her high school classes, Macy Shumaker would get frustrated when teachers moved onto another topic before she was ready.
Then, she moved out of her parents’ home to live with her boyfriend after she turned 18. But she needed to work to help pay rent and other bills, which left less time for finishing her remaining high school classes. She credits attending Clark Pleasant Academy, where she began taking classes last year, with enabling her to be able to graduate on time.
What helped the most was the ability to work at her own pace. She could finish assignments faster when she understood them. Or she could slow down and get assistance from a teacher when she was having trouble, Shumaker said.
Shumaker, who had previously attended Whiteland Community High School, said the smaller class sizes at the academy were a better learning environment for her.
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But teachers also emphasized having a plan for after graduation. She visited colleges to see what opportunities were available.
“This has made me more confident in believing I could go to college,” she said.
Her plan is to work and begin to save money for college, then attend classes at Ivy Tech Community College, studying either business or cosmetology.
“I want to focus on taking things step-by-step,” she said.
Shumaker would like to eventually work at a salon, a passion inspired by the many times she’s helped friends and relatives with hair and makeup, she said.
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Name: Macy Shumaker
Age: 18
Parents: Melissa and Jaime Brockman
School: Clark Pleasant Academy
College plan: study business or cosmetology at Ivy Tech Community College
Career plan: Work as a cosmetologist
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