Before Primavera, school was a source of tension for the Carpenter family. Their oldest son was among the 1 in 5 students in the U.S. who face bullying. Traditional, in-person school wasn’t helping, and the family was stretched thin trying to keep everything together. Switching to Primavera Online School wasn’t just a change in schools, it was a turning point for their family, a chance for stronger ties, and an opportunity for both children to thrive.
The Spark Begins to Fade
Anthony, once an engaged student, began showing signs of depression. He stopped playing sports, pulled back from family, and lost interest in school and his future. The cause? Relentless bullying. Being excluded, teased, and picked on wore him down. His mental health suffered, and he started to lose the spark that made him, him.
“He isolated himself and refused to talk about what was really going on,” his mom, Cassie, remembers. The silence was heartbreaking. Studies show bullying doesn’t just affect students, it ripples out, straining family bonds and leaving parents feeling helpless.
Cassie tried everything. She went to the school again and again, but since there weren’t direct attacks in front of staff, the school told Anthony that he should be the one to change his routine instead of addressing the root cause. The bullying only escalated.
When Things Went Too Far
It came to a breaking point after a school sports game, when Anthony was physically assaulted in the parking lot. Other students filmed instead of helping and no adults were around to stop it. Finally, another student pulled the attacker off. The video spread quickly through the community, and afterward Anthony developed severe social anxiety. “I was angry! It was like a fire in my chest,” Cassie recalls.
The student who attacked Anthony was given just a week’s suspension, despite a history of violence. When he returned, he attacked the friend that helped Anthony, and again, the punishment was only another week away from school. That was the moment the Carpenters knew they had to make a change.
Anthony tried starting high school the traditional way, but after just two days his anxiety was unbearable. His past bullying was preventing him from thriving. Around that time, Cassie connected with Damian, Founder and CEO of Primavera. She already knew his story and his mission: to create a school where every student has a real chance to succeed despite the obstacles in their way.
Finding Primavera Online School
“I felt like Damian built this school for my son specifically,” Cassie said.
Enrolling in Primavera was a leap, but it was exactly what the family needed. Cassie admits online school can feel daunting at first but if there is any parent questioning to enroll, she says to just do it. The staff were very helpful with the enrollment process and were patient when answering questions.
What won the family over was more than the academics—it was the sense of community. “It wasn’t just logging on,” Cassie shared. “There were so many ways to connect.” Teachers showed kindness and respect, encouraging students to be themselves while guiding them toward growth. Both parents could see what their child was learning, which gave them the tools to support and step in when needed.
A New Chapter
For Cassie and her husband, it shifted family dynamics. Education became a shared responsibility, opening up communication and creating trust between parent and child. For Anthony, Primavera offered space to heal, autonomy to rebuild, and the confidence to move forward.
Today, Anthony has a job, new passions, and is looking forward to graduating high school. Anxiety still shows up sometimes, but he continues to grow and is looking towards the future. The Carpenter family lives by the motto: “When we commit, we don’t quit.” And despite everything, Anthony has stayed true to that spirit.
The success didn’t stop with him. When it was time for their younger son to start school, Cassie knew online school was the right choice. Each child has their own path, and Primavera gave both the flexibility to create a learning experience that fit them.
Now, the Carpenters are closer than ever. They enjoy family game nights (especially a good game of Monopoly!), and their home is less stressful and more connected. With more freedom in their days, they can prioritize health, family, and learning all at the same time. Primavera gave Anthony back his spark, and it gave the Carpenter family the gift of growing stronger, together.
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