Why One Family Traded Classrooms for the Open Road

The Saul family of four made the bold decision in 2021 to leave their home in Asheville, North Carolina, and hit the road in an RV.

In the years since, they have travelled to all 48 continental states across the United States, as well as Canada.

What is perhaps most inspiring about their story is how they have managed to build a life of travel without pressing pause on their daughter’s education.

What started as a necessary step during the pandemic quickly revealed something more lasting.

The inspiration for our nomadic life was the realization, during the pandemic, that remote work and remote schooling provided the key to the freedom we had always desired. The experience has shown us we could be together and educated without being tied to one location.

This shift in perspective transformed the way they approached learning altogether.

We now prioritize experiential learning, connecting academics directly to the geology, history, and culture of the places we visit. Our educational philosophy is centered on curiosity, adaptability, and real-world application.

Learning That Fits Into Daily Life

Finding a rhythm between travel and schoolwork took time, but the Sauls soon developed an approach that made sense for their lifestyle. School did not sit off to the side. It was part of every day. Wherever they went, learning came with them.

We achieve balance by integrating schooling into our everyday life, ensuring the two are not separate activities. A visit to a historical site instantly becomes a history lesson, and hiking a national park turns into a biology field study. The road provides the field trips, and the online school provides the necessary academic rigor and structure.

Among their favourite learning moments were the quiet ones. Paddleboarding on String Lake in Grand Teton or swimming in the glassy waters of Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park.

Our favorite moments are those quiet, deeply connected experiences in nature that reinforce our nomadic choice.

Finding a School That Could Keep Up

When it came time for their daughter to begin high school, the Sauls knew they would need a schooling option that could match their way of life. They were not just looking for flexibility. They wanted something that would challenge her academically and still prepare her for university later on.

What they appreciated most about CGA was the combination of live teaching and flexible pacing. Their daughter could join a real-time classroom environment with expert teachers and global peers, while also adjusting her learning as needed.

We loved that CGA allowed our daughter to have the ability to attend live classes while still giving her the freedom to learn at her own pace.

The curriculum also met their non-negotiables for a mobile lifestyle.

In choosing an online school, two factors stood out as non-negotiable: flexibility and a rigorous curriculum. We needed flexibility to easily accommodate travel, shifting time zones, and spontaneous exploration while a rigorous curriculum was important to ensure our daughter’s education provides a reliable pathway to university admissions. CGA provided the highest level of both freedom and academic quality, making it the ultimate choice.

The Impact of CGA’s Online Environment

The transition into CGA’s online learning model was very smooth for the Saul's. From the very first interactions, the family felt supported by the CGA team.

Our first impressions of the CGA community have been overwhelmingly positive, as everyone has been nothing but kind and helpful. We were immediately reassured that the staff truly care about our child’s education and were committed to placing her in the best possible classes for success.

Their daughter has not just adjusted to online learning she has grown because of it. The format has encouraged her to become more self-directed and confident in managing her own learning.

Our child has truly excelled in the online learning environment. The greatest benefit has been the growth in her personal responsibility and self-motivation. It has given her a crucial sense of independence and allowed her to take active control of her own education. She is now managing her schedule and engaging with the material at a deeper level, transforming her into a resilient and self-directed learner.

For the Sauls, the combination of flexible travel and strong education has never been about choosing one over the other. It has always been about finding a way to make both work together. And through their journey, they are showing other families that it is possible.

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