What if you could give your student a true superpower—one��that’s��in explosive demand and pays double the average national salary?����

It’s��coding. Right now, there are 1.4 million unfilled tech jobs across the United States. This is��largely because there simply��aren’t��enough qualified coders. On average, coding careers��pay 50-100% more than the national median income. Experts are now calling coding a new form of literacy, as essential as reading or math.��

The earlier students start, the better.����

• Girls exposed to coding in elementary school are twice as likely to show interest in computer science by 8th grade ().
• Students with elementary coding experience are 5.2 times more likely to take AP Computer Science in high school ().��
• Elementary students who receive coding instruction score about 12 points higher in math and 9 points higher in reading on average ().

Yet 79% of U.S. elementary schools offer no coding instruction at all, and 40% of high schools��don’t��teach it either.��That’s��a massive gap��and a huge opportunity.��

����Թ���Answers the Call with a Full Coding Pathway ��

����Թ�’s online high school offers the STEM-10 Coding Pathway. A complete, progressive program available to all students at no additional cost. It begins as early as 3rd grade and builds real coding and computational thinking skills step by step through three dedicated courses.

• STEM-1: Introduction to Coding: Students start with the fundamentals by programming the friendly Cellus Bot, a robot equipped with lights, motors, and sensors. Using an intuitive block-based interface (drag-and-drop interlocking blocks), they create programs that make the robot move, light up, and respond — turning abstract concepts into hands-on fun while learning logic, sequencing, and basic functions.
• STEM-2: JavaScript: Students advance to real text-based coding with JavaScript and program the impressive AC-D2 dancing robot. They give it personality and complex movements, seeing their code come to life in exciting ways.
• STEM-3: Electronics & Coding: Building on JavaScript skills; students explore electronics fundamentals (voltage, current, resistance, and capacitance) and learn to integrate hardware and software for more advanced real-world projects.

The pathway uses a block-based coding interface at the beginning, so students can focus on logic, loops, functions, and problem-solving without getting stuck memorizing syntax. This dramatically lowers the barrier and creates a smooth transition to full text-based coding later.

Physical robots are optional — every course includes a built-in on-screen simulator, so every student can participate fully regardless of hardware.

This structured, multi-year approach gives students clear progression from elementary through high school, developing practical skills that open doors in today’s tech-driven world.

One ����Թ� student completed all three courses in this pathway, applied to the for computer science, and was accepted as a freshman. On his placement exam, he scored so high that the university placed him directly into upper-division coding courses—skipping the introductory level entirely.��That’s��the power of starting early and building real skills.

Learning can be��hard work��for anyone, but for students��with learning disabilities like dyslexia, it often feels like an uphill battle. Words and numbers can flip, focus can slip away, and reading-heavy material can become exhausting.����

Maya Cavazos has had her fair share of challenges. When she first started high school, she believed she simply wasn’t good at math or science because of her dyslexia. Reading text-heavy lessons was draining, comprehension felt out of reach, and maintaining focus during long study sessions was tough.��She then enrolled in ����Թ� online high school,��which is designed to cater to different learning styles.��

How������Թ���Made the Difference for Maya�� ��

• Self-paced structure – She could take shorter, focused study breaks instead of forcing long, uninterrupted sessions. ��
• Multi-sensory, video-based lessons – Instead of relying solely on reading dense text (which can be especially difficult with dyslexia), she watched engaging instructional videos, saw concepts��demonstrated��visually, and heard explanations clearly.��
• Personalized repetition and mastery – ����Թ� lets students review material until they truly understand it. Maya could move at her own speed, pause when needed, and revisit difficult concepts.

Not only was she��capable��in��math and science, but she surprised her family by graduating with honors. It just took effort, the right format, and belief in herself.��Today, Maya is a proud������Թ���Academy alumni and a college student at , where she has declared��her major in Organizational Leadership.��

Maya’s story shows that learning disabilities��don’t��define��potential—they simply��require��the right approach. With flexible, multi-sensory online learning like������Թ���provides, students can build confidence, master tough subjects, and achieve honors-level success.��Her own words capture the heart of it best: “Something I would tell my high school self is to keep trying. Keep persevering because what you have in you is greatness. You can overcome any challenge with hard work and perseverance.”��

What if one decision in high school could dramatically increase your chances of acceptance at 85% of universities—and set you up for groundbreaking work at NASA?��

It is not a secret admissions hack.��It’s��simply taking honors and AP-level courses. These rigorous classes��demonstrate��to colleges that��you’re��ready for college-level work, and more importantly, they equip you with the tools (especially math and science��courses) to tackle��real challenges��later.��

A perfect example is Anastasia, who��started her online high school journey��at������Թ���Academy��as a��9th grader four and a half years ago with a clear dream to become an aerospace engineer.��She chose the math and science AP courses to give her��a strong foundation��to achieve��her dream.��

She went on to complete all four years at������Թ���Academy,��graduated, and was accepted to��,��which is the top university in the nation for aviation and aerospace engineering.��She even earned��the��Presidential Scholarship.��

As a college��freshman, Anastasia scored so highly on placement exams that she had the opportunity to be selected for a prestigious NASA research project.��On this project, she was a part of a��team that was to develop a cost-effective, rapidly deployable way to detect tornadoes in areas that lack��radar��coverage to detect them.��A place like Pennsylvania��is��a prime example that��doesn’t��have the coverage that it would need.��

Each team member proposed their own concept of the project. Anastasia’s idea stood out so strongly that the group unanimously chose it: build hydrogen-powered drones��equipped with high-resolution sensors that fly directly into supercells to collect real-time data, enabling��accurate��tornado predictions even without ground radar networks.��

The team has moved on from initial designs to developing a prototype. Anastasia’s concept could save lives one day—and it all traces back to having a dream, setting goals, and taking rigorous math and science AP courses.��

Why AP & Honors Matter to Colleges

Successful completion of AP courses at������Թ���Academy allows students to register for the AP examination at a local testing center, which may result in college credit recommendations by the College Board. This not only gives students a head��start��on college but also strengthens their applications by showing a commitment to academic excellence and readiness for university-level demands.��

����Թ���Academy offers 18 College Board audited and approved Advanced Placement (AP) courses. These courses��provide��high school��students with��the opportunity to engage in college-level coursework and potentially earn college credit. Completion of an AP course��demonstrates��to colleges that students are thoroughly prepared for the challenges of rigorous college academics.��

The Tier-1 Honors Program further supports this path with an honors graduation pathway (recommended for students aiming at competitive four-year universities), including honors designations on transcripts that highlight advanced effort and rigor.��

Want to learn more?��Explore our AP and honors courses at��/honors/��and see how they can help your��student��stand out.��

����Թ���Academy��is pleased to introduce the new��Conspiracy Theories��course, premiering live with Dr. Todd Edmond at��, May 23–24, 2026, in the new ����Թ� Conference Center.

What Mysteries Does the Course Explore? ��

Students step into history’s greatest open questions: Roanoke’s vanished settlers and their “CROATOAN” clue,��the��creation and��mystery of Area��51,��the ancient engineering behind Egypt’s pyramids, the events of the JFK assassination, and other puzzles that still captivate minds centuries later.��

No ready-made answers are given. Learners dig into primary sources, line up rival explanations, test their logic, and decide what stands up to scrutiny. See how Dr. Todd Edmond approaches these topics in the

Building Real Critical Thinking Skills ��

This course empowers students to become independent historians. They learn to tackle complex, unfinished questions, gather evidence, form their own well-reasoned conclusions, and grow confident explaining why they think about what they think. Dr.��Edmond walks through the method step by step: laying out evidence, pointing to open gaps, comparing interpretations, and showing how��thoughtful reasoning leads to a solid position.

Open to All – Join Us in Kansas City ��

����Թ� World is open to the public—no ����Թ� enrollment needed. Join us May 23–24, 2026, in Kansas City for a fun, inspiring weekend packed with hands-on STEM challenges, Robot Dance Contest, crafts, games, Spark Sessions, graduation celebrations and the live premiere of the Conspiracy Theories course with Dr. Todd Edmond. It’s going to be an exciting two days—don’t miss it!��

Register now at acellus.com/world.��

At just 11 years old, Kelcie Russell��achieved��something many adult filmmakers only dream about. She independently wrote, illustrated, animated, directed, and voiced her short��film��Oaklyn’s Friends, transforming a personal creative project into an award-winning production recognized on the festival circuit. The film earned official selections at the����(screened in Birmingham, Alabama),��,��, and��, along with several��additional��festivals.��

Its strongest showing came at the , where it earned Best Animation, Best Acting, Best Writing, and Best Overall Film. The project also received the Rising Star award at Austin Under The Stars, the Luminary Award at Austin Spotlight, and an honorable mention from ��in the animated narrative short category.��

In early 2026, Kelcie appeared on��, where she spoke about her creative process and the message behind her film. While many children her age are still discovering their interests, Kelcie is already producing animated stories and encouraging others to see their differences as strengths. At the center of her success is������Թ���Academy’s flexible, self-paced learning model, which allows her to��maintain��straight-A grades while actively pursuing a growing creative career.��

Who is Kelcie Russell? ��

Kelcie Russell’s creative instincts surfaced early. By age two, she was drawing with noticeable detail and intention. At seven, she stepped into acting, and by four, she was already��participating��in community fundraisers. Those early fundraising experiences did more than support��good causes—they helped her build confidence, strengthen her public speaking skills, and learn how to push past her comfort zone.��

Now 11, Kelcie balances a wide range of pursuits: professional��actress, self-taught animator, illustrator, writer, artist, model, and dedicated student at������Թ���Academy. Her acting work includes commercials, music videos, web series, independent short films, and print modeling. Each opportunity has strengthened her understanding of storytelling and performance across different formats.��

Kelcie often reflects on how those early community experiences shaped her mindset. Learning to try new things and stand in front of an audience gave her the courage to tackle larger projects independently. That mindset led her to write and illustrate her own children’s book and later adapt it into a fully animated short film.��

With������Թ���Academy’s personalized structure, she��can��move through coursework on her own schedule while��maintaining��strong academic performance. The flexibility allows her to invest serious time into creative development without sacrificing her education—an approach that supports both discipline and imagination.��

The Birth of Oaklyn’s Friends

Oaklyn’s Friends��began as a self-published children’s book Kelcie wrote and illustrated around age 9. She handled every detail—story, characters, illustrations, layout, and publishing—turning her vision of inclusion into a tangible work.��

Inspired to reach more kids, she self-taught animation and adapted the book into a 3-minute short film. She scripted, storyboarded, animated, designed backgrounds, edited sound, and voiced Oaklyn and Victoria herself.��The message��remains��clear: differences are superpowers; when people collaborate, anything is possible.��

Balancing Schooling and Creative Pursuits����

Kelcie incorporates ����Թ�’s accredited, online school into her routine. This approach enables her to arrange her studies to accommodate filming schedules, acting obligations, and animation endeavors, while pursuing a demanding academic program.

She��maintains��straight-A grades without sacrificing creative growth. The flexibility of the program allows her to advance through lessons when her schedule permits and��pauses��when production demands increase. As Kelcie explains, “Due to the flexibility of the program, I’m able to have days on set and come home to finish the rest of my schoolwork.”��

This balance��eliminates��the need to choose between education and opportunity. Instead, the model supports both—allowing motivated students to pursue ambitious goals while staying academically on track.��

Looking Ahead: Kelcie’s Future Plans ��

Kelcie plans to continue creating films, exploring new animation styles, and��writing��additional��stories. She is also updating the��Oaklyn’s Friends eBook to reflect her evolving artistic style, with hopes of reaching more readers worldwide. Her long-term vision includes expanding her storytelling across multiple platforms while continuing to promote messages of inclusion, teamwork, and self-acceptance.��

“If we all work together, we can accomplish anything.” – Kelcie Russell

Do you have a story to share about your student’s use of ����Թ�? We want to hear from you! For a chance to be featured in a student spotlight, submit your student’s experience here:�� /spotlight/��

Dr. Roger Billings, founder and educator at ����Թ� in Kansas City, MO, was recently selected as a Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction by . A role model to pupils, Roger was nominated by a student for outstanding dedication and commitment to excellence in the profession.

Each year student members of NSHSS are invited to nominate the educator who has made the most significant contribution to their academic career for the Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction award. This honor recognizes exemplary educators whose passion and devotion inspire their students to grow and develop as scholars, leaders and citizens.

The National Society of High School Scholars seeks to advance the goals and aspirations of high-achieving students through unique learning experiences, scholarships, internships, international study and peer networks. From attending the annual Nobel Week festivities in Stockholm, to internships with major corporations and government agencies, pre-college summer study programs, and more than $2,500,000 in exclusive scholarships awarded annually, NSHSS is continually seeking new ways to provide lifetime learning and growth opportunities for academically talented and accomplished student leaders, and the educators who support them.

“Dedicated educators who exhibit a commitment to excellence deserve our highest praise and appreciation,” said NSHSS President James W. Lewis. “Through our Educators of Distinction program and the grants we provide to support professional development and enrich classroom instruction, we hope to acknowledge and encourage the vital work of the teachers, counselors and administrators who are shaping the intellect and character of our young scholars.”

About the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS)

Formed in 2002 by James W. Lewis and Claes Nobel, of the family that established the Nobel Prizes, The National Society of High School Scholars recognizes academic excellence at the high school level and helps to advance the goals and aspirations of high-achieving students through unique learning experiences, scholarships, internships, international study and peer networks.

Dear Parents,

We are excited to announce significant updates for the upcoming school year at ����Թ�. In light of the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, we are implementing new security protocols to uphold the integrity of our students’ educational journey. Starting this year, all students will be required to use the ����Թ� App, which is equipped with state-of-the-art security features to ensure the authenticity of student work. This app is freely accessible on all major platforms, including ChromeOS, Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and iPadOS.

To ensure a smooth transition, please ensure the ����Թ� App is installed on your child’s devices. We provide comprehensive resources and guides on our website to assist you with the installation process. Should you have any questions or require further assistance, our dedicated support team is ready to help.

We hope your family is enjoying a wonderful summer! As we gear up for the new school year, we wanted to share that will be on summer break until August 20, 2025.

Students enrolled under the Roger Billings Scholarship will continue to receive the scholarship rate during these months. However, there is no weekly requirement for tuning into Science Live until August 20, 2025.

We look forward to bringing you an exciting new season of Science Live beginning this fall. Stay tuned for more updates!

For more information on Science Live, or to watch previous episodes, please visit:

����Թ� World adds a touch of magic to its summer learning experience as takes the stage for a live magic show like no other. Renowned for inspiring students with science and innovation, Dr. Billings will introduce a spark of illusions that merge entertainment with the power of STEM. Audiences can expect a night to remember, featuring illusions personally designed and built by Dr. Billings.

Prior to his career as an ed tech pioneer, Dr. Billings was dazzling audiences with the art of magic. Starting in college to help pay for his tuition, Dr. Billings performed for audiences around the country. He has also performed internationally and, notably, at the in Hollywood, a legendary club renowned for its exclusive performances by topflight magicians. Using his science and inventor experience, Dr. Billings developed novel illusions that overcame the constraints of regular magic, using scientific principles to bring about an effect that even experienced practitioners in the art were shocked by. Now, as president of the nonprofit organization behind ����Թ�, Dr. Billings only hits the stage for philanthropic purposes.

This special performance will be presented at , an interactive learning extravaganza in Kansas City on July 10-12, 2025. The program brings together families, learners, and educators for a weekend of exploration, inspiration, and hands-on learning experiences. Tickets for the event will be $10, giving access to not only the magic show but other events, including live music, exhibits, and education sessions. ����Թ� World celebrates the spirit of discovery—and this year, the magic of learning takes on a whole new meaning.

For more information on ����Թ� World and to purchase tickets visit:��