Finding the right fit: An EP Online success story

From top left, in clockwise order: Jude Faddler's 10th grade yearbook photo, Jude and his sister Ella at the Renaissance Festival, Jude and his friend Logan at a Brazilian jiu-jitsu tournament, Jude and his mom Kelsey after closing on their new home.

Having a tough year at school is hard for any student. For Jude Faddler, that year was seventh grade. He suffered academically due to a domino effect of adversities: A series of illnesses that caused him to miss school meant he was often behind in his school work, which left him feeling overwhelmed – as if he couldn’t get out from under the weight of an avalanche. His worried family tried getting him the support he needed from his previous school district, but their attempts were unsuccessful.

That’s when they enrolled Jude in EP Online (EPO). Three years later, his academic progress has been transformational. The 10th grader’s FastBridge test scores for math and reading have rocketed from “at risk” levels when he started attending EP Online to “low risk” or “exceeds target” levels today. Impressively, Jude’s most recent AUTOreading score placed him in the 99th percentile in the nation – which he identified as his proudest achievement in EP Online so far.

“I think one reason my math and reading test scores have increased since joining EPO is the environmental change that came with moving to an online school,” he explained. “When I first joined EPO around three years ago, it was a breath of fresh air compared to going in-person to my old school. I found that I could work more efficiently without distractions and without social anxiety.”

Even when he needed to go in-person to Eden Prairie High School to take a statewide standardized test, the accommodations EP Online provided made him feel comfortable and ready to tackle it. “When I took the test, I was already prepared because of what I had learned from EPO,” he said. “I was able to get a really good score because of my increased ability to learn at home.”

Angela Klein has been impressed with the transformation she’s seen in Jude since she started working with him as a teacher and case manager in fall 2023. 

“I am incredibly proud of the progress Jude has made at EPO,” Klein praised. “His comfort in this setting has allowed him to develop personally and grow confidence, and these strides have contributed to his academic growth. He has matured and sees the big picture that what he does now will contribute to his goals for his future.”

One of those goals for the future? To become a business owner, a passion he said EP Online has helped him develop by giving him the opportunity to take business classes like Personal Finance, which he will be taking later this school year. 

Meanwhile, his mom, Kelsey Faddler, has already been helping her son pursue his passion by establishing a vending machine business together. “We did market research, wrote a business plan, did LLC and tax paperwork, checked out different machines, met with a design team to create designs for the logo, business cards and website, and met with potential clients,” she noted. “He also helped with going to the bank and setting up the business checking account.” Without the flexibility of online school, Jude might not have had the ability to be so involved.

Jude sought a business model that would provide passive income, which is why he decided to start a vending machine company. “I have enjoyed brainstorming names and designs for our company the most so far. We came up with Stalwart Vending,” he proudly shared. “I am really looking forward to getting our first vending machine later this year. It will be a huge next step for our company.”

The young businessman credits EP Online staff, with special thanks to Klein, for helping set him on a successful academic track and realize his career ambitions.

“All of the EPO staff I have interacted with have always had the students’ needs as their top priority,” Jude acknowledged. “I have witnessed this firsthand. My teachers have always been accommodating and have helped me understand coursework in one-on-one meetings countless times.”

“Everyone has been so kind, respectful and accommodating,” said Kelsey, echoing her son’s sentiments. “I just want to give EPO a shoutout and thank them all from the bottom of my heart for working together to give my son the tools and environment he has always needed to thrive!”

Klein believes that Jude’s impressive progress since joining EP Online is indicative that he found the right fit for his academic needs. She hopes other students and families who may need the unique support and flexibility EPO provides will consider seeing if the school is also the right fit for them.

“Jude’s growth speaks volumes for how the right setting can open up and allow for genuine and incredible growth in so many areas,” Klein emphasized. “EPO provides a structured day that allows for a great deal of staff support and contact time for students.”

Exhibiting wisdom beyond his years, Jude implores any student who may feel inspired by his success story at EPO to analyze what about it inspires them.

“This will help you learn about who you are,” he advised. “After that, you must try to capture the inspiration, use it for power or wonder, and be true to not what anyone thinks you are, but instead who you know you are.”

After seeing her son go from struggling in school to thriving at EPO, Kelsey knows what she is: A proud mom. “Jude is so resilient and has overcome so much in life,” she said. “I have no doubt he will continue to do great things.”