When Learning Fits the Student, Futures Take Flight

Ever since he was five years old, Jadon DeGroot knew he wanted to fly.

After watching Top Gun as a child, he became fascinated with aviation and dreamed of one day piloting aircraft for the military. But unlike many students who have to wait until college or adulthood to begin exploring career interests, Jadon found a school that allowed him to start pursuing that dream in high school.

That’s what led him to West Michigan Aviation Academy.

“I definitely wanted to fly,” Jadon said. “The opportunities to get my private pilot’s license, as well as be part of the Build a Plane program and just be immersed in the aviation aspect, were all things that I really appreciated.”

A senior at West Michigan Aviation Academy (WMAA), Jadon says the school offered far more than aviation coursework. It provided an environment where students were challenged academically, mentored by professionals, and encouraged to grow as leaders.

“The professionalism starts at the top, and it follows all the way down to the students,” he explained. “I feel way more comfortable here than I would in a traditional school.”

One of the most defining moments of Jadon’s high school experience came during his first flight at WMAA — an opportunity few high school students ever experience during a normal school day.

Pointing to a handprint from his first solo flight, a WMAA tradition

“Getting the opportunity to fly an airplane and then subsequently solo that airplane months later… no one in high school during that eight-to-three school day gets to do that,” Jadon said. “That was just a really cool opportunity.”

Through WMAA’s aviation-focused programs, Jadon not only gained hands-on flight experience, but also developed leadership skills and confidence in his future path. He credits both the school’s instructors and its culture with helping him grow personally and academically.

“I can definitely say that I would not be here where I am today without the input from all the teachers, faculty, coursework, and opportunities that I’ve been given,” he said. “They’ve definitely allowed me to grow and shine.”

Jadon says his experience before attending WMAA looked very different. In middle school, he often felt unchallenged academically after advanced and honors opportunities were reduced.

“I was put in regular classes where I was not challenged and did not have the opportunities to push myself,” he said.

At WMAA, however, he found an environment that encouraged students to pursue more — both inside and outside the classroom.

“The opportunities to seek out more is definitely what drew me,” he said.

This fall, Jadon will attend Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, where he plans to study National Security and Intelligence with a focus on counterterrorism while participating in Air Force ROTC. His long-term goal is to become an Air Force pilot.

“I hope to fly for the Air Force,” he said.

For Jadon, learner choice is about helping students access educational experiences that align with their passions and career goals early in life.

“I don’t have to wait until I’m in college to start pursuing aviation,” he explained.

He believes more students should have access to career-focused learning opportunities while still in high school.

“If you know you want to go into a field, why not give students a head start while they’re already in high school?” he said.

As a public charter school, West Michigan Aviation Academy gave Jadon access to specialized, career-focused opportunities at no cost to his family — something he says made a lasting impact on his life and future.

Today, Jadon’s story reflects how learner choice can empower students to pursue ambitious goals earlier, build confidence through hands-on experiences, and prepare for meaningful careers long before graduation.

And while he’s excited for what comes next, there is one thing he says he’ll miss most about WMAA:

“The culture, teachers, and staff that I’ve grown close to and been mentored by,” he said.