"West River has saved my life, honestly. If I was still in traditional school, I think I’d either be dead or in jail. This program, this school, this new way of thinking and learning is the greatest thing any one could ask for. Because of you I’ve been able to pursue my dreams in skiing and in life, without interruptions, stress over grades, tests or stress of being in that mediocre school environment. For this amazing opportunity, I truly thank you from the deepest place in my heart."
~David, 2009 graduate, Durango, CO USA

I tell people about your school all the time; it's an amazing program, you were an amazing help, and I'm still as excited about your school now as I was when I first enrolled!"
~Amanda, 2005 graduate, Villa Grove, CO USA

"The kind of consistent chronicling you've demanded of me in these months is completely unprecedented. I've never recorded so much of my life. I think it's been a valuable exercise, and I'd like to thank you for prompting it of me."
~Aurora, Santiago, Chile

I have truly enjoyed being homeschooled and feel I have learned many valuable lessons, both educational and lessons for life. I feel I am ready and have learned skills to now face all of the new challenges I will be given as a young adult. I have been blessed to be a homeschool graduate. I am thankful for West River Academy and all your hard work in helping my family achieve our goals in our homeschooling journey. It has been a pleasure being enrolled in your program. I have enjoyed expressing myself through these reports and sharing just a bit of my homeschool life with you."
~Aaron, 2008 graduate, Denver, CO USA

"The one thing that I don't like about graduating is that I will miss our monthly reports and feedback. I really appreciate all of your advice, support, time, and effort. You are definitely on my list of people I would like to thank (Wow, you would think I won an Oscar!) so here it goes....... THANK YOU, MS. PEGGY WEBB!!!"
~Ashley, 2007 graduate, Colorado Springs, CO USA

Throughout my elementary and middle school years, I accomplished more than the average student, but I was always bored West River Academy gave my guardians the opportunity to change my thoughts from “I'm bored” to “I love school”.

West River Academy was the ideal choice for me. One of the greatest things about West River Academy is that it allowed me to combine my interests with education. When I started high school, I wanted to become a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. As we live on a ranch, I was able to start a meat goat business. This started with a four-year business plan. I had to learn a number of things to be successful with my business. This included Accounting, Veterinary Medicine, Agricultural Science, management of resources, and a number of other business practices. I am proud to say that my business made a profit this year and that with forty-two goats and agricultural equipment, my business is worth approximately thirty-five thousand dollars.

"Without West River Academy, I think I would have dropped out of high school by the time I turned sixteen. West River Academy was there when public schools were not. I would like to thank West River Academy and my guardians for their considerable contribution to my life."
~Gwendolyn, Grand Junction, CO USA

"I have enjoyed so much doing this program. I love your approach to education..Even when school is over, I'm definitely going to keep up some of the valuable habits I've learned through your program. Thank you, Peggy, for providing a wonderful home school program that fit me perfectly!"
~Jesse, 2008 graduate, Las Vegas, NV USA

"Homeschooling was one of the best experiences that I have had in my life and I have learned a lot from the experience. I was able to unlock my inner self and my inner child. I was allowed to have fun while learning and be able to express myself as well as be more curious. I don't think I would have changed a thing."
~Matthew, 2008 graduate, Kalamazoo, MI USA

"Wow, already it's the end of my last report! I have to admit that I'm a bit sad that this is the last one because I've become so used to being your student and I can't believe that I'm already graduating. It seems like yesterday that I was a giddy freshman getting ready for the long road towards adulthood. Even though it was for a small portion of my life, I must say that it was truly a great honor to be one of your students. Thank you so much for helping me get to where I am now with home schooling because if it wasn't for you I would probably be a high school dropout flipping burgers at McDonalds. Thank you.
~Nate, 2008 graduate, Longmont, CO USA

"I would like to thank West River Academy for all your support over the last four years. I feel blessed to have been able to experience such unique schooling and such a wide range of subjects. I feel confident that I have the knowledge and skills to succeed in college and in life in general.
~Victoria, 2007 graduate, Elbert, CO USA

"West River (or home school) has been a good thing in my life because I have been able to achieve a great education. I have learned that there is always more than one way to achieve your goals. I have never done things the way everyone else has; I have to find my own way. I have learned about real life by doing real life experiences. My family has taught me not only math, reading, and writing but they have taught me about fixing cars, balancing budgets, and to keep trying. I have seen firsthand the difference between a low paying job and a high paying job."
~Mitchell, class of 2010, Hesperus, CO USA

Final Report from a 2009 graduate in Colombia:

December 2009

Dear Peggy:

Well this is the last of the six reports, so, first of all, I want to begin by telling you that I found this opportunity very interesting, now that having to write my experiences down have made me notice and acknowledge the importance and influence they have had in my life. So, thank you, for helping me see what was there all the while, but I hadn’t gotten the time to process.

At the beginning of the year I just lived life as my parents wanted and taught me to live it. I only did the things I was expected to do, like going to school, training golf, doing my homework etc…. I practically lived at my big sister’s shadow, but, then she left, and my world fell apart.

I was lost, now that I had no one to open the way for me, no one to advise me, no one to follow, no one to take as an example. It was then, at that moment, that I had a “wake up call” and I realized that I had to start to do things for myself.

I started the routine I had had when my sister was with me, but I soon started realizing that there were some things I wanted to change about my life. For example, one day I saw that I had never actually enjoyed playing golf, I just enjoyed my sister’s company so much, that I didn’t care. So I decided to leave it. I decided to start doing things for me, things that I enjoyed, like cooking, but without forgetting the good things that I had learned from those experiences I was leaving behind.

Apart from these changes in my life, I also started to learn some new things at my studies. Through these months I learned what I think was the most important lesson of the year, and that is the responsibility.

I used to study because I had to. I hadn’t really understood the true meaning of studying, and so I didn’t like anything that had to do with school. After this time I have had to reflect about it, I now know, that if I study I don’t do it to please or favor anyone. I do it for my self, for my future and for my own benefit. And that, I think, was a very important discovery because I started to want to learn and to be more responsible about my studies.

Once I understood this, I saw that it was actually fun to challenge my self and try to get ahead when I was behind and, it all could be fun instead of being monotonous and boring. I understood that learning can be either fun or boring, but that it is up to me.

So, I think all this processes I have been through in the past months, have been important for me to prepare for whatever it is to come in the future. Though some sacrifices and yes, many mistakes were made, I guess it was all necessary for me to grow up and mature, for me to move forward and learn new things and finally grow up to be a good person, that helps others, which is, in my opinion more important than anything else.
~Daniela, 2009 graduate, Bogotá, Colombia

"I'm proud of being home schooled and very thankful to West River Academy for being there for me. During the time we worked together, I learned a lot about myself and I will miss the entire experience. Thank you for being so understanding with me."
~Natanael, 2009 graduate, San Bernardo, Chile

"...after homeschooling and then coming back for classes at the regular high school, I have realized that I'm glad I left. I have noticed how the students act, how the teachers act, and how I act. I'm happy that I've grown up in maturity to the point where my sense of humor is different from many of my peers. I'm simply glad that I'm different, and I feel like I'm ready to face the real world."
~Tim, 2010 graduate, Longmont, CO