Megan Coleman finished her senior year of high school with the Quillayute Valley School District, located over 130 miles from her Bothell home.

The commute wasn’t all that bad. She traveled by modem.

Megan earned her final credits online through the Insight School of Washington, a fully-accredited secondary education program.

The classes didn’t cost her a thing. She even got a laptop and printer at no charge.

That’s because Insight receives state funding as a public school governed by the Quillayute Valley district.

The program offers over 120 courses, including many that aren’t available at traditional schools.

Megan took the requisite Government class, plus electives like Mythology and a few advanced classes like Calculus and AP Psychology.

Insight learning takes place using all the modern internet tools: chat rooms, discussion boards, e-mail, and web casts.

Teachers are accessible at a moment’s notice during regularly-scheduled office hours.

“The teachers are amazing,” Megan said. “Their only job is to sit at a desk and wait for you to call them.”

Insight students also get iMentors who check in on their progress and provide support when needed.

Many of the students have necessities that go beyond the traditional educational setting. Some are advanced learners or home schoolers, while others have struggled to fit in.

Megan was just trying to avoid a transfer to her third high school in four years.

She had moved to Washington in early 2007, after her father, Mike Coleman, landed work with Cochran Electrical Design in Seattle. She had already attended eight different schools, most recently in Oregon and Illinois.

“It was a good option for her to get enrolled somewhere,” Mike said. “We didn’t know where (in the state) we would be living at first, and it was nice to not worry about what neighborhood to live in or what schools to go to. This provided some closure.”

Megan was also ahead of the game. She needed only fiveclasses to graduate by the time she reached her senior year, and the course offerings in traditional schools were limited.

Like all non-traditional students, Insight kids run the risk of becoming disconnected from her peers.

Megan overcame that pitfall by getting involved in extracurricular activities. She became president of Insight’s 30-member photography club, earned a spot as a Senator in the Associated Student Body group, and helped organize her school’s prom, which took place in Sammamish on June 14.

“It’s really up to students and how much they want to do,” she said. “If you’re not willing to initiate anything, you won’t get a lot out of the experience. I did, and I feel like it was a good experience for me.”

Megan’s self-motivation and her unique senior experience paid off when she started applying to colleges.

“I had a lot to write about on my application essays because of this,” she said.

Megan says her online studies taught her a thing or two about self discipline as well.

“People think internet school is easy, but it’s a lot of work,” she said. “You have to do it all on your own, and it’s easy to procrastinate.

“I learned that I can actually make it in college. I know a lot of people get carried away with their free time. I’ve learned to balance work and fun and be successful now.”

Another benefit: Megan was able to go on vacation when it was most convenient for her family.

She recently traveled to Hawaii without missing a beat.

“I just did my homework poolside,” she said.

Megan graduated as one of the top-two students in her class of 30 on June 14, shortly before the Insight School prom.

She will attend Portland State University next fall, where she plans to major in psychology.

• Visit www.insightwa.net for additional information about Insight School of Washington