Two Generations of TTU K‑12:
Now Educating Children of Alumni

By Leslie Cranford, Section Manager

From snail mail correspondence courses, to faxing lessons, to fully online educational options, TTU K‑12 (formerly TTUISD) has evolved from its beginning as a high school-only Special Purpose District established in 1993. A complete kindergarten through 12th grade solution since 1998, thousands of TTU K‑12 graduates are all grown up now with children of their own. Some of those alumni now have second-generation students in TTU K‑12.

Kattie Brewer and Greg Argueta each began attending Texas Tech University High School in 1999, both graduating in 2001. With a solid educational background from TTU K‑12, they've both gone on to become successful in their endeavors. And each of them now has children enrolled in TTU K‑12 online curriculum.

Kattie, Addison and Matix

Besides raising and homeschooling her children, Kattie is in her 10th year of owning and running a dance studio. She also recently started a second online business selling vinyl, screen-printed, and custom clothing.

“My favorite part of attending TTU K‑12 was the ability to work at my own pace,” she explained. “I was able to graduate a couple months early because of that. Homeschooling through TTU K‑12 also allowed me the opportunity to become highly focused on my studies without distraction.”

She also said the program helped her learn self-motivation and time management, both of which allowed her to graduate months before her peers.

“My future goals consist of raising two amazing kids, growing both businesses, and hopefully writing a children's book. I aspire to turn my dance studio's original Christmas production into a children's book.”

Matix, first grade; and Addison, second grade, recently enrolled in the TTU K‑12 program.

“It's fun!” Addison said. “Science is my favorite subject because the projects are fun to do. I also like the one-on-one schoolwork.”

Her brother also likes science and being at home.

“Science is my favorite because I get to make things that are cool. I also get to see my mommy, sister and grandparents more.”

Kattie said she only has positive memories associated with TTU K‑12.

“I loved TTU K‑12. I would recommend the school to anyone looking for an excellent homeschool program.”

For families and students considering TTU K‑12, Kattie says “Go for it! With a little structure and time management you can successfully complete this program and prepare yourself for a self-motivating profession.”

Greg and Addison

Since graduating from TTU K‑12, Greg completed a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of North Texas and an MBA from the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD). He is a CPA and is the assistant vice president for Accounting and Financial Reporting at UTD.

Greg says he felt that the TTU K‑12 classes were more comprehensively covered than what he was used to at the local high school.

“Although TTU K‑12 required more effort, I could focus on the material and tackle the courses at a time that fit my schedule. I was at the age where I could work and since I was fond of expensive activities, such as modifying cars and mountain biking, I wanted to make as much money as possible. For that reason, I was extremely happy that I could control my calendar.”

Greg said sitting in class while material was revisited session after session was extremely tedious. He added that the benefit of attending TTU K‑12 was the ability to move quickly through material he understood, and more thoroughly where he needed the instruction.

“I was able to retain the material more readily because I was learning at my preferred pace. Also, I remember that I was required to complete entire textbooks with TTU K‑12 when we may have only covered two-thirds at my local high school. I feel that I had a better foundation for college because I had covered more of the coursework. Also, while I wasn't very skilled at the time, I believe that being responsible for my own schedule (in collaboration with my parents) taught me time management early in life.”

Greg spends nearly all his free time with his family, from camping, biking, or frisbee, to traveling the country for his children's athletic competitions and home renovations. His future goals include continuously trying to be a good father and husband, and to pursue a Ph.D.

His daughter Addison just started ninth grade at Texas Tech University High School. Greg explained that his father immigrated to the U.S. and was a first-generation college student.

“My father graduated from Texas Tech with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. That makes my daughter the third generation in our family that will benefit from a TTU education,” he added.

Greg advises students enrolling in TTU K‑12 to take advantage of the ability to control their own time and the pace of their education.

“Work hard so you can play hard, you won't be young for long.”