Keeping His Goal

November 16, 2017

Most high school kids who aspire to play pro soccer only get to daydream about it.

Not George Marks. He’s a pro soccer team member. And a high school senior.

How can this be? George attends Crossroads FLEX. It’s a small high school that allows students to work largely independently while fashioning their school schedule around outside pursuits.

Since opening in fall 2016, the school has served students who are pursuing professional sports, dance, music, acting and even figure skating. It also serves students who have work and family obligations that would cut into a normal school day. 

'A Jump in the Deep End'

“To be honest, it was kind of like a jump in the deep end because the school wasn’t really proven,” said George of his decision to switch to a brand-new school from his neighborhood high school his junior year.

He did so to allow training time with the North Carolina FC (formerly the Railhawks) pro soccer team. He practices with the full-time professional players in the mornings and with the youth setup team in the afternoons.

George signed a contract with the pro team last winter. All of this was made possible because he can manage his school and study schedule with the flexibility Crossroads provides.

Crossroads proves itself

Crossroads FLEX certainly has more than proven itself to George over the last year and a half. He will graduate a semester early in December and has accepted a full athletic scholarship to Clemson University.

George said this kind of high school experience isn’t for everyone - lots of independent study, small classes, fewer social opportunities. But it is key for those who want to get about the business of pursuing big dreams.

“I have had a taste of the pro life, and there would have been absolutely no way to do it without this.”