Worldschooling with ILA: Why This Online Private School is Our Ultimate Travel Hack

Look, I know your life is a beautiful circus right now, and the last thing you need is a lecture on 'educational philosophy.' But we need to talk about the school situation before someone—likely you—actually loses their mind. You know us; we live for the next Luxury Expedition Cruise, but as the kids hit high school, the 'just wing it' approach to worldschooling stopped being funny.

Last fall, we hit a major fork in the road. Brooklyn (our household artist) decided she wanted the traditional, in-person high school experience. She wanted the lockers, the hallways, and the Friday night lights. But Colt? Colt wanted the world. And honestly, I didn't want to leave him behind in a windowless classroom while we were out scouting the Galápagos Islands.

Enter Ignite Learning Academy (ILA). It’s been the secret weapon in our Custom Trip Planning arsenal for a couple of years now. It’s the reason I can stand on a volcanic ridge in the middle of the Pacific, watching a blue-footed booby do a dance that looks suspiciously like your signature move from that one frat formal, while knowing my kid is actually getting an elite education.

It’s Not 'Homeschooling' (Thank the Heavens)

Let’s be real for a second: If I had to be the one teaching Colt freshman chemistry, he’d be lucky to graduate by 2040. ILA is a fully accredited, Phoenix-based private online school. This isn't one of those 'mom-led' programs where you’re stuck grading papers and pretending to understand trig.

The heavy lifting is done by professional, certified teachers. They offer a completely live component, meaning school feels like 'real' school. Colt can log in, see his teachers, engage with other students, and ask questions in real-time. For a kid who needs that classroom energy but has parents who can't stop booking trips, it’s the best of both worlds.

The 'Early Bird' Gets the Gecko Empire

Here is where it gets really good. While Brooklyn is currently navigating the chaos of in-person high school schedules, Colt has leaned fully into the asynchronous life. This is the ultimate travel hack. If he wants to work ahead so he can have a week off when we’re trekking through Antarctica, he can.

Last week, back at our home base in Denver, Colt was finished with his entire day’s curriculum by 8:00 AM. Read that again. Before his sister had even heard her first-period bell, Colt was off tending to the geckos he breeds or practicing new tricks on his scooter. He isn't spending seven hours a day sitting at a desk waiting for a bell to ring; he’s learning how to manage his own time. That’s a life skill you and I didn't figure out until well into our 30s.

The 'Safety Net' for All Kinds of Families

I know we’re the 'travel family,' but ILA isn't just for people chasing the Drake Passage. We’ve met families with elite-level athletes—kids training for the Olympic team who literally don't have time for a 9-to-5 school day. We’ve also talked to parents who are just done with the safety issues, the bullying, and the general 'factory model' and compliance thinking built into most in-person schools.

And the reach is global. Whether you’re a family living in France, Mexico, or the Philippines, you can get a high-quality US private school education through ILA. It’s not the cheapest option on the market, but you’ve known me long enough to know I’d rather pay for quality than deal with the headache of a budget disaster. It’s an absolute steal compared to the cost of prestige in-person private schools.

The Lockwood Verdict

When the fall semester rolled around, we gave Colt a choice. He’s a freshman now. He could have followed in his sisters' lead and enrolled in the high school that's three blocks away. He didn't even blink. He chose to stick with ILA.

He chose the freedom to join us on our next scout. He chose the ability to finish school while retracing Darwin’s path. He chose to be a happier, smarter, and way more independent kid.

If you're tired of the school calendar holding your family's travel dreams hostage, check out our Family-Friendly Trip Deals and see how easy it is to take the classroom on the road. Just promise me you’ll leave the algebra to the pros at ILA. You’ve got enough on your plate.

Questions? Connect with us or click here to start a conversation with ILA's school administrator.