At EduWW, we take pride in the community we’ve built and continue to grow with our students, their families, and alumni.
Natalie, our former Sport World School student, is en route to professional tennis. At the same time, now as a sophomore at the University of Denver, she is holding a 3.85 GPA. We reached out to Natalie to see how she’s doing.
Spoiler alert: she is doing very well, and we’re proud of her!
Could you describe whether – and hopefully how – attending SWS helped you maintain academic and athletic success?
Photo credit: Brittany Evans
Attending SWS allowed me to have a very flexible schedule both academically and tennis-wise. I was able to practice twice a day, 4-5 hours. From this perspective, it was more of an opportunity than a challenge. It gave me the chance to fully dedicate myself to the sport I love while successfully earning my high school diploma. Choosing SWS was definitely one of the best decisions I made.
Do you have a favorite or fun memory from your time at EduWW?
One special memory is meeting my tutors on Zoom. Even though it was an online school and building connections can be challenging, the people I worked with at EduWW were incredibly supportive. They helped me adapt to the American education system as a student from a different background. Looking back, I realize how important those connections were and how maintaining them can positively impact your future.
Did attending SWS help cover all academic/NCAA requirements of enrolling at the University of Denver?
Yes, absolutely. One of the biggest advantages was that I didn’t need to translate my transcripts. It made the transition to college much smoother. Before EduWW, I attended two different high schools in Italy, and translating the transcripts required time and research to ensure everything was correct. I am really grateful for my tutor, Alexandra, who played a crucial role in my admission to college. She guided me through the process of submitting all required documents and was an incredible mentor throughout my time at EduWW.
How difficult or easy was your transition from an online high school to a traditional college education?
The transition was quite challenging at first. Going back to in-person classes felt overwhelming during the first few weeks, and I even experienced frequent headaches. However, once I adjusted, everything improved significantly. I now enjoy attending all my classes and meeting new people and new professors every quarter. The University of Denver’s quarter system moves very quickly, which I actually like- it keeps things dynamic and allows me to return home sooner for winter breaks.How happy are you with your academic and athletic results today?
I’m very happy with my results so far. My freshman year was challenging, especially after a couple of injuries limited my ability to compete. It took time and extra effort to return to the level of other players while adjusting to a new environment and culture. However, I made significant progress both on and off the court and regained my confidence, finishing undefeated in the conference (Winning the 11th consecutive Summer League title).
Starting my sophomore year was easier because I returned to Denver and already knew what to expect. I started the year with a great 5th-place finish at the PTT tournament at our home courts. My game kept improving, and I had a good Fall. Coming back from winter break, I put a lot of effort into competing at my best level during all our matches of the season.
Currently, I’m playing #4 singles and #3 doubles and am having a great season with a 22–8 record in individual matches. Academically, I am very proud of my 3.85 GPA, which I maintain alongside the demands of Division I tennis.Please tell us a bit about your goals
Please tell us a bit about your goals
Photo credit: Brittany Evans
My future goals are very clear to me. I want to pursue a professional tennis career after college. I know it’s a challenging path, but it’s been my dream since I was a child. I am determined to pursue it. Now I am also seeking sponsorships to compete in ITF summer tournaments while continuing my college career.
