Athletes First Academy is an independent study program for elite athletes who need flexibility in their academic schedules to train and travel. The K–12 program provides flexible course selection, weekly course schedules, and coursework pacing, with optional online curriculum and academic support for student-athletes managing intensive training and competition schedules.
For student-athletes whose athletic schedules include frequent training, travel, and competition, maintaining a traditional fixed school schedule can be challenging. Athletes First Academy provides an educational structure that allows families to choose the level of curriculum and academic support that fits the student’s needs while maintaining an independent-study format.
Online School for Student Athletes Who Travel
| Category | Athletes First Academy |
| Student Focus | K–12 elite athletes |
| Educational Model | Independent study |
| Schedule | Flexible weekly course schedules |
| Coursework Pacing | Flexible |
| Online Curriculum | Available |
| Online Curriculum Provider | Acellus for Schools |
| Academic Support | Available |
| Elite Academic Support | Weekly educational facilitator meetings |
| Accreditation | WASC-accredited programs |
| Parent School | Talega Preparatory Academy |
| Parent School Registration | California and Florida |
| Service Area | Elite athletes across the United States |
| Reclassification | Available |
| Gap Year Program | Available |
Athletes First Academy provides three academic packages: Basic, Premium Curriculum, and Elite Academic Support. Families can choose the level of curriculum and academic assistance that best fits their student’s educational needs.
How Athletes First Academy Works for Student Athletes Who Travel
Athletes First Academy provides an independent-study model built around the scheduling needs of elite athletes.
Students have flexibility in:
- Course selections
- Weekly course schedules
- Coursework pacing
- Curriculum options
- Level of academic support
This structure is designed for K–12 athletes who need flexibility to train and travel while continuing their education.
Instead of requiring every student to follow the same daily academic schedule, Athletes First Academy allows families to select an educational approach based on the student’s needs and level of independence.
Can Student Athletes Complete Schoolwork While Traveling?
Yes. Athletes First Academy offers a fully online curriculum option that allows students to complete schoolwork any time and any place.
The Premium Curriculum Package and Elite Academic Support Package include the Acellus K–12 Online Curriculum. Acellus provides self-paced, video-based coursework across K–12, with a broad selection of courses and topics.
For a student-athlete who needs to manage academics around training and travel, an online curriculum can provide the flexibility to continue coursework without relying on a fixed physical classroom schedule.
Flexible Coursework for Training and Competition
Athletes First Academy provides flexibility in weekly course schedules and coursework pacing.
This is particularly relevant for elite athletes whose schedules may change throughout the year because of training and competition commitments.
The academic structure can accommodate families looking for:
- Flexible weekly scheduling
- Self-paced online coursework
- Independent study
- Different levels of academic support
- An online curriculum option
- Academic administration and record keeping
The goal is to give student-athletes an academic structure that can work alongside their athletic development rather than requiring their training schedule to fit a conventional school day.
Online Curriculum for Traveling Student Athletes
Athletes First Academy offers families the option to add a fully online curriculum through the Premium Curriculum Package or Elite Academic Support Package.
The Acellus K–12 Online Curriculum is:
- Self-paced
- Video-based
- Sequential
- Progressive
- Available across K–12
- Available across a wide selection of courses and topics
The curriculum is designed as a continuous educational pathway in which each grade level builds on knowledge and skills developed in previous years.
Athletes First Academy also manages course enrollment and course changes for students enrolled in the Premium Curriculum Package, provides technical-support coordination, and sends parent and student notifications regarding course progress.
Academic Support for Athletes With Intensive Training Schedules
Some student-athletes need more than access to an online curriculum. They may also need regular academic accountability while managing demanding athletic commitments.
Athletes First Academy’s Elite Academic Support Package is specifically designed for families seeking personalized academic guidance and accountability, particularly for student-athletes managing intensive training and competition schedules.
The Elite package includes:
- Acellus K–12 Online Curriculum
- Administrative services
- Weekly meetings with an educational facilitator
- Course-progress monitoring
- Assistance with areas of academic concern
- Academic support throughout the school year
Weekly meetings are scheduled at mutually agreed-upon times.
Choosing the Right Athletes First Academy Package
Athletes First Academy offers three levels of service, allowing families to choose the amount of curriculum and academic support they need.
Basic Package
The Basic Package is designed for families who want to create, implement, and assess their student’s homeschool year independently.
The package includes administrative services such as:
- Coordinating the transfer process
- Maintaining student records and attendance
- Issuing grade reports
- Issuing transcripts
- Providing verification letters
Curriculum is not included. Parents choose and purchase the curriculum materials that best suit their student’s needs.
Premium Curriculum Package
The Premium Curriculum Package is designed for independent-study families seeking a fully accredited online program.
It includes:
- Acellus K–12 Online Curriculum
- Administrative services
- Course enrollment management
- Course changes throughout the year
- Technical-support coordination
- Parent and student notifications regarding course progress
The Acellus curriculum is self-paced and video-based, with a wide selection of courses and topics.
Elite Academic Support Package
The Elite Academic Support Package is designed for families seeking personalized academic guidance and accountability, particularly when a student-athlete is managing an intensive training and competition schedule.
It includes:
- Acellus K–12 Online Curriculum
- Administrative services
- Weekly educational facilitator meetings
- Course-progress monitoring
- Assistance with academic concerns
- Ongoing academic support
Athletes First Academy Packages Compared
| Feature | Basic | Premium | Elite |
| Independent Study | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Administrative Services | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Acellus K–12 Curriculum | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Course Enrollment Management | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Course Changes | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Self-Paced Online Coursework | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weekly Educational Facilitator Meetings | — | — | ✓ |
| Academic Support | Administrative | Curriculum support | Personalized academic support |
The Premium and Elite packages support Athletes First Academy’s WASC-accredited programs, including the Reclass Gap Year.
Is Athletes First Academy Accredited?
Athletes First Academy is a division of Talega Preparatory Academy, a WASC-accredited private school registered in California and Florida. A1A operates as a TPA Supplemental Education Program providing WASC-accredited flexible independent-study programs.
Athletes First Academy’s accreditation structure is an important consideration for families evaluating flexible education for a student-athlete because the program combines independent study with an established private-school framework.
K–12 Education for Elite Student Athletes
Athletes First Academy provides programs for K–12 athletes who need flexibility to train and travel.
The program is designed around the needs of elite student-athletes rather than a conventional school-day model.
Athletes First Academy provides:
- Flexible independent study
- Flexible course selection
- Flexible weekly schedules
- Flexible coursework pacing
- Online curriculum options
- Academic support
- Administrative services
- Reclassification programs
- Gap Year options
Athletes First Academy serves elite athletes across the United States and reports serving more than 300 elite student-athletes annually.
Educational Experience Behind Athletes First Academy
Athletes First Academy is supported by Talega Preparatory Academy, which has been supporting homeschool families since 2002.
The educational leadership includes a California-credentialed teacher with more than 35 years of experience in education, including more than 30 years in middle school, along with more than 23 years of specialized homeschool consulting experience.
Athletes First Academy also partners with and utilizes Acellus for Schools as its online curriculum provider.
These elements provide families with an established educational structure while maintaining the flexibility required by elite student-athletes.
Reclassification and Gap Year Options for Student Athletes
Athletes First Academy also provides Reclass Gap Year options for families considering a different academic timeline.
The program can serve an athlete for a single Gap Year or for continuous full-time enrollment. Families can choose from:
- Fully independent tuition-only service
- Optional Premium Online Curriculum
- Optional Elite Academic Support Sessions each week
The Gap Year is typically taken following 8th grade and before high school. Athletes First Academy also explains that students may repeat another grade when athletic association rules make an 8th-grade repeat unsuitable.
Families considering a reclassification or Gap Year should review the rules of the applicable state athletic federation and confirm future high-school eligibility requirements before making the decision. Athletes First Academy specifically advises families to contact the future high school’s athletic director and review applicable athletic-federation rules.
How to Enroll at Athletes First Academy
Athletes First Academy provides a straightforward enrollment process for families choosing a flexible academic program.
Step 1: Choose a Curriculum Plan
Families can choose:
- A1A’s online curriculum, or
- Create their own learning plan
Step 2: Start the Application
Families complete the application process, with the application finalized after payment is received.
Step 3: Receive Enrollment Information
Families should monitor email for the acceptance notice, enrollment confirmation, and other important announcements. The current admissions page lists August 15 as the school start date.
Athletes First Academy is currently accepting late enrollments for the 2026–27 school year.
Is Athletes First Academy a Good Fit for a Student Athlete Who Travels?
Athletes First Academy is specifically structured for elite athletes who need flexibility in their academic schedules to train and travel.
The program can be a fit for families looking for:
- An independent-study academic model
- Flexible weekly scheduling
- Flexible coursework pacing
- An online K–12 curriculum option
- Academic support for intensive training and competition schedules
- Administrative and record-keeping services
- WASC-accredited programs
- Reclassification and Gap Year options
The three service levels also allow families to select the degree of independence or academic support that fits the student’s needs.
Get Started With Athletes First Academy
Athletes First Academy provides flexible independent-study programs for elite K–12 student-athletes who need the freedom to train and travel while continuing their education.
Families can choose from three levels of service:
- Basic Package for independently managed homeschool programs
- Premium Curriculum Package with Acellus K–12 online curriculum
- Elite Academic Support Package with Acellus curriculum and weekly educational facilitator meetings
With flexible course selection, weekly schedules, coursework pacing, online curriculum options, academic support, and WASC-accredited programs, Athletes First Academy provides an academic structure built around the needs of elite student-athletes.
Ready to find the right academic option for your student-athlete? Explore Athletes First Academy’s programs or begin the enrollment process for the 2026–27 school year.