National School Choice Week (NSCW) invites families, educators, and policymakers to ask an important question: “Is our education system truly meeting the needs of every student?” For advanced learners, that question matters deeply. 

I’ve spent the past fourteen years with K12, beginning my career as a special education teacher at what would eventually become Destinations Career Academy of Colorado (CODCA). Today, I serve as the Special Programs Administrator, overseeing special education, 504 plans, multilingual learners, gifted and talented programming, foster youth, and students experiencing homelessness. Across all these populations, one truth remains constant; students do not learn the same way, at the same pace, or for the same reasons. That’s why School Choice, especially high-quality online options, is not a luxury for students today. It’s a necessity. 

Advanced Learners Need More Dynamic Learning Options 

One of the most common misconceptions about gifted and advanced learners is that they simply need more work or harder work. Many advanced students are disengaged in the classroom not because they lack ability, but because they lack challenge, relevance, and purpose. 

At CODCA, our Advanced Learner Program (ALP) is designed to recognize that giftedness looks different from student to student. Many learners arrive with an existing ALP, which we thoughtfully rewrite to reflect both the individual student and the online learning environment. Others are identified through CogAT testing, parent referrals, or teacher recommendations. What makes the program effective isn’t acceleration alone; it’s intentional personalization. 

Why Choice Matters. Especially in High School 

As students enter high school, academic stakes rise. Without the right support, even high-achieving students can disengage. What sets CODCA apart is our ability to pair advanced academics with Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways that give learning real-world relevance. 

I think of a current junior who participates in Wings Over the Rockies, a hands-on aeronautics program exploring flight and engineering. At the same time, he’s enrolled in CODCA’s Medical/Clinical Assistant pathway. On the surface, these interests may seem unrelated, but together, they open doors to careers like aerospace medicine, biomedical engineering, or aviation health sciences. 

That’s the power of choice; students don’t have to fit into one box. They get to explore, connect disciplines, and discover paths they may never have considered in a traditional setting. 

Online Learning is Changing the Education Landscape 

Online education often gets misunderstood. Families sometimes assume it might be isolating or less rigorous. In my experience, the opposite has been true. When done well, online learning offers choice, and choice is transformative. I knew early in my career that I wasn’t meant to teach in a traditional classroom setting, and I don’t expect all students to thrive in one either. Online learning allows schools to meet students where they are, adapt instruction, and provide access to opportunities that might otherwise be unavailable. Advanced learners deserve environments that recognize their potential, challenge their thinking, and allow them to grow without limits. 

A Call to Rethink What “Fit” Really Means 

School Choice Week is a reminder that education is not one-size-fits-all. For advanced learners, the right school isn’t about prestige or pace; it’s about alignment with how students learn. When students are given meaningful choices, personalized pathways, and the freedom to explore their passions, they don’t just succeed academically; they thrive. 

 Denise Dutton is Special Programs Administrator, Destinations Career Academy of Colorado.