How our students are soaring to academic success with online learning: Meet Millie and Varun

In fact, many of today’s high-achieving students are turning that expectation on its head with unique academic journeys that work best for them. Take Varun and Millie, for example, two King’s InterHigh students who’ve seen remarkable success with online learning this past year.

Every student comes to King’s InterHigh with different dreams, and each year we watch our graduating students go on to a huge range of successes — from top university acceptances to careers in their passions to simply rebuilding their happiness. No matter what they achieve, what unites our community is the power of a school experience that revolves around them.

Choosing online school

Ask our students why they joined King’s InterHigh, and each one will tell a different story. From innovation to flexibility to support to quality, everyone in our community has their own reasons for choosing online learning.

16-year-old Millie joined King’s InterHigh all the way back in September 2020 when she started Year 8. As a neurodivergent student, the mainstream school environment simply wasn’t suited to her needs, and she found herself struggling.

For Varun, meanwhile, the catalyst was a family relocation. 17-year-old Varun was born and raised in India, later moving to Geneva in Switzerland. After living there for seven years, his father’s work took the family back to India again in 2024, away from the IB school where Varun had been studying.

Not only did he need a school where he could study for the IB Diploma Programme, he also needed a way to balance all-important academics with his burgeoning tennis career. Thankfully, Varun says, “King’s InterHigh was a perfect fit.” In fact, the transfer to online learning was even supported by the Head of IB at his school in Geneva, “who recognised how well King’s InterHigh aligned with my academic and athletic goals.”

The flexibility to achieve

Groundbreaking successes can’t happen inside a rigid box. No matter which school path a student chooses, flexibility is always key.

In Varun’s case, a flexible learning approach has been crucial in balancing tennis with schoolwork. To gain admission to Yale as an athlete, he needed to showcase his academic skillset and build up his achievements on the court. For Varun, online learning has been the ideal way to do both.

At King’s InterHigh, we teach our lessons live with lots of interactivity and collaboration throughout. On top of that, all lessons are also recorded, so students can watch (or rewatch) them at any time, 24/7. This gives students the best of both worlds — all the benefits of expert teaching, working with classmates, and immersive learning, but with the flexibility to fit passions in too.

Over the past year, Varun’s International Tennis Federation ranking has shot up from 2,400 to the top 150, and in his words, “a significant part of this progress has taken place while I’ve been a student at King’s InterHigh.” The young sports star says the balance has been “invaluable,” allowing him to meet the high demands of the IB Diploma as well as professional athletics.

This flexible approach to lessons was also instrumental for Millie, but for different reasons. “Academically, I was never behind,” she explains, “since lessons are recorded.” Alongside using class recordings to catch up on any days she missed, she was also able to revisit past lessons (and all the valuable discussions within) to get a deeper understanding of tricky topics.

Plus, the overall school day schedule was a far better fit for Millie’s learning style. She could take breaks when she needed to, do her own interesting research around her favourite subjects, and was able to complete her homework during the day rather than “dreading it in the evening.”

Supported all the way

There’s more to being a great educator than simply teaching classes. Outstanding teachers understand, encourage, and guide their students to take on their academic journeys. It’s this kind of meaningful support that makes all the difference when it comes to achieving big goals like Varun and Millie have.

In Varun’s case, it’s not just about having the flexibility to train around lessons — it’s about having the backing of his teachers to help him balance his hard work on both sides. “They’ve consistently gone the extra mile to clarify coursework,” Varun says of his teachers, “and have been incredibly flexible with attendance and assignment deadlines.” Even when he’s watching his lesson recordings after class, he’s never alone in his studies.

On top of giving him any feedback he needs, Varun says that “all the teachers at the school are extremely supportive and caring.” “Warm and genuine” teacher check-ins are something he looks forward to as well — “they care about me beyond just my grades and performance in their individual subjects.”

Millie’s perfect learning environment, meanwhile, was one where she could feel comfortable and confident in herself. Thankfully, all throughout her IGCSE studies, she had “consistent support and encouragement” from teachers who wanted to see her achieve her goals, both personal and academic.

It’s this kind of personal investment that sets our wonderful teachers apart at King’s InterHigh. Alongside their experience and subject expertise, each one brings a true desire to see all their students succeed and the drive to help them get there.

Building independence and confidence

With their whole lives ahead of them, Millie and Varun’s stellar achievements are just the beginning. Academic success opens doors, but future-ready skills are just as important for the milestones to come. No matter what our students aspire to, part of our mission is making sure they’re equipped to develop into well-rounded young people with the self-assurance, resilience, and abilities to take on anything that comes their way.

We build time into each week for students to reflect on personal challenges and wider world issues with their peers and tutors, alongside a suite of co-curricular options where they can broaden their horizons. On an individual level, they’ll always have our pastoral support to help them, whether they want to join an anxiety workshop, ask for advice with study skills, or anything in between.

Personal growth was a huge part of Millie’s journey at King’s InterHigh as she blossomed away from the pressures of the traditional school environment. As she poignantly explains, “I feel that you can learn so much about yourself and who you are through having time to think, reflect, and act freely without worrying that others are judging you.”

Academics and self-growth became intertwined along the way too. One of the subjects Millie chose from our choice of 22 IGCSEs and five assured course certificates was Film Studies, which she “really loved, and most schools don’t offer in England.” More notably, since we offer a choice of five core science options (as opposed to mandatory Combined Science), Millie was able to conquer a field she previously doubted herself in. “Although sciences had never been my strongest subjects,” says Millie, who chose Biology, “I ended up loving it and achieving a Grade 9.”

Varun, meanwhile, shared a key skill with us that he’s looking forward to “emulating at Yale and beyond” — balance and time management. Naturally, the experience he’s gained maintaining high performance across school and sports will be invaluable when he plays tennis at Yale, but he’s also used his online school downtime to prioritise rest and hobbies. Currently, he turns to his love of Indian music and movies to get “a break from my demanding tennis schedule and IB studies,” helping his mind and body stay refreshed.

From global learning to global futures

Bright futures start with strong foundations, and we’re delighted to watch so many students take on their next steps in the world each year. For many of our students, one of the best parts about studying as part of a truly global community is how it prepares them to pursue their dreams anywhere they choose internationally.

“Having the chance to make friends across the world was something I am very grateful for and learned a lot from,” shares Millie. Our community spans 133 countries, from England to India — where Varun has been studying with us. With a choice of three global timetables, students can come together from anywhere in the world to connect, make friends, and learn from each other.

That international mindedness will also serve Millie and Varun in the years to come, as both have their sights set on international futures. While Varun doesn’t need to declare a major before he takes off for the United States, economics has his heart. “I still remember moving to Geneva and wondering why one Swiss Franc was worth seventy Indian Rupees,” says Varun, who’s always had a deep curiosity about how the economy shapes society. On top of that, he’s got his professional tennis dreams set on world titles; most recently, he qualified for the Australian Open Junior Tennis Grand Slam Qualifying Draw.

Millie, meanwhile, is currently studying A Levels in History, Politics, and German. The latter subject is one she wants to continue pursuing in future too, with aims to study German and English Literature at university. “I would also be interested in doing a year of work experience,” says Millie, “possibly in Germany.”

Pursuing excellence their way

At King’s InterHigh, there are no limits. Whatever a young person aspires to, they’ll find the academic and personal support they need to get there. That support is different for each child, which is why we’ve designed our school experience to revolve around the student — not the other way around.

In her own words, Millie tells us, “I honestly do not believe I would have achieved such great IGCSE results and this English Literature award without the opportunity to study with King’s InterHigh.” And, while pursuing excellence will always come with challenges, she’s been able to enjoy it along the way.