Our student blog highlights achievements, shares inspiring stories, and gives a voice to the amazing individuals in our school community!

Meet Marisa Wise, a shining example of the Achievement House community and an inspiration to us all.

Marisa is a senior at AHCCS and has been enrolled for three years. As a cyber student, she enjoys the flexibility to plan her day. Marisa shared,

“I love being able to set my own schedule as somebody who likes to be accountable for my own assignments and my pace. I have a lot going on outside of school and even in school. I like the fact that I can set my own schedule and decide how many assignments I want to complete in a day or a week. That part is really nice.”

While cyber school provides flexibility, it also comes with its own set of challenges. To be successful, students need to take responsibility for their work without a teacher physically present.

When asked how she stays organized and motivated, Marisa said,

“I’m going to say this thing that my mom says: I’m not motivated, I’m determined. I have a lot of things in my life that I want to accomplish. While I know that doing well in high school doesn’t automatically grant me those wildest dreams, I know it can help. So, I am highly determined to do well in school and my extracurriculars and take on as much as I can while staying organized.”

To maintain her focus, Marisa creates weekly schedules and sets reminders. Her family also plays a supportive role in keeping her on track. She makes it a point to include everything she wants to accomplish in her plans.

Marisa is deeply involved in AHCCS programs and clubs, including the National Honor Society, Student Ambassadors, and the Student Voice program. She is also a member of Achievement House’s Global Studies team. As an NHS member, she participates in fundraisers to support the community. As a Student Ambassador, she assists with the enrollment process by welcoming new students.

“I try my best to make new students feel seen and heard. I listen to their stories about why they came here, and I want to support them along their journey,” she said.

Recently, Marisa took on more responsibility by joining the Student Voice group. This program allows students from various grades to represent their peers and communicate their needs to school leaders.

Additionally, this is Marisa’s second year interning with the Global Studies team, where she collaborates on projects with students in Tanzania, Rwanda, and Latia. One such project involves creating a digital collage to share cultures, a unique experience that enhances her resume.

Looking ahead, Marisa has ambitious goals.

“I am a goal-setter and a goal-achiever,” she said.

Academically, she hopes to graduate at the top of her class. After graduation, Marisa plans to complete a Wind Turbine Technician Program and pursue a career in that field. She envisions a future with multiple careers and income streams, including running a business supporting single moms and women entrepreneurs, managing a tech company, and starting an eco-friendly café or a cat café.

“I would like to have seven main streams of income,” she explained.

Despite her drive, Marisa acknowledges that balancing her responsibilities can be stressful. To manage, she and her mom developed a plan to stay productive without feeling overwhelmed. This includes limiting grade checks to once a week and taking advantage of extra credit opportunities.

When asked to describe her cyber school experience in three words, she said,

“Best decision ever.”

Marisa is grateful for Pennsylvania’s school choice, which allows her to thrive in a cyber school environment. She appreciates the unique opportunities cyber school has provided, from internships to club involvement and beyond.