Electives · Optio Academy
Skiing, Kendama, and Bouldering for Electives Credit
A high school student documented skiing progress, kendama practice, and bouldering sessions to earn Electives credit at Optio Academy.
Dr. Tanner Bowman
Founder, Optio ·
- Student
- Clare, 17
- School
- Optio Academy
- Grade
- High school
- Subject
- Electives
- Activity
- Winter sports and rock climbing
What the student did
Independent sports and movement practices can count toward high school credit when supported by clear evidence of skill growth. Clare, 17, built a physical education project focused on winter mountain sports, coordination drills, and bouldering.
Clare documented regular ski outings throughout the season, tracking technique progression across different terrain. Alongside skiing, Clare practiced with a kendama during mountain trips, focusing on incremental coordination control and fine motor discovery.
To build strength and movement technique off the snow, Clare also trained at an indoor climbing gym, working through distinct bouldering routes and documenting body positioning across varied wall angles.
The tasks
Each task was submitted and reviewed on its own. XP is earned per task; the credit is the sum.
| Task | Subject | XP | Criteria met |
|---|---|---|---|
| Document Ski Season Engagement | Electives | 100 | 1 of 1 |
| Practice Kendama on the Slopes | Electives | 150 | 1 of 1 |
| Learn how to rock climb | Electives | 100 | 1 of 1 |
More of the evidence
Shown as submitted, minus anything the family did not agree to share.
What the teacher checked
The criteria belong to the task. An Optio teacher marked each one from the evidence.
- Met
Track your participation in skiing for the 2026 season. Continue to log each outing to observe patterns in frequency and identify personal progress.
- Met
Develop proficiency with the kendama while engaging in outdoor winter activities. Focus on the incremental learning and discovery inherent in mastering this skill.
- Met
Explore the art of bouldering
What it counted for
This project earned 350 XP toward an Electives credit. It was one of multiple self-directed projects completed toward a full high school credit. A licensed teacher reviewed the visual evidence and approved the submission based on demonstrated skill progression.
Optio students earn XP for finished work instead of letter grades. An Optio teacher reviews the evidence against the task's criteria and awards the XP. 2,000 XP is one high school credit on an Optio Academy transcript.
Winter sports and bouldering
Official transcript · Optio Academy
Questions about Optio
Can independent sports and outdoor activities count for high school credit?
Yes. Students at Optio Academy can design coursework around individual athletics, outdoor recreation, and physical disciplines by documenting their skill development and tangible progress.
How does a student's own athletic activity become an assignment and get reviewed?
Students outline specific project goals and definitions of completion before they begin. Once photo or video evidence is submitted, a licensed teacher evaluates the work against the established rubric criteria.
What do XP and credits mean on an official high school transcript?
Optio uses XP to measure completed project milestones, with 2000 XP equaling one full credit. When enough XP is earned across assignments, the completed course appears on a standard, accredited transcript.
Stories are written from real submissions on Optio. Student details are anonymized unless a family has recorded consent, and evidence is shown as submitted, minus anything a family did not agree to share. Published September 18, 2026, updated September 18, 2026.
