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“I’m not alone”: Jessica’s Ascend Story

Jessica Santacruz January 18, 2025

Introduction Dear Reader, I don’t like reading testimonials. I like to have my questions answered, get a practical view of whatever I’m looking into, and understand what this new experience

A Leap of Faith: Emma’s Ascend Story

Emma Harris January 11, 2025

I started my Ascend journey a little differently from other people. I already had two years of “box school” college under my belt—and it very nearly destroyed my faith. Surrounded

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Unbound FAQs

Got questions about Unbound’s programs or courses? Chances are you’ll find answers here!

How much does Unbound cost?

If you’re in the market for a distance learning program for either high school or post-high school, you’re likely looking for specific features to fit your life, schedule, and student…Continue...

How Does Travel Work for Ascend Events?

One of the most important parts of Unbound’s Ascend program is the live, in-person events. How exactly do students get to all of these events?…Continue readingHow Does Travel Work for...

How Big are Ascend Teams and Who Leads Them?

Ascend Teams help students in the Ascend program to thrive by giving them a community of support as they learn to own their purpose.…Continue readingHow Big are Ascend Teams and...

What Kinds of Jobs Do Ascend Students Work?

Students in the Ascend program work in all kinds of different jobs and fields while going through the program. Here are some examples.…Continue readingWhat Kinds of Jobs Do Ascend Students...

Commentary

The Unbound staff offer their perspective on current events and educational trends.

Never Stop Learning: A Conversation with Andrew Pudewa

If you don't, periodically at least, feel like a hypocrite, you probably aren't really engaging with your faith.…Continue readingNever Stop Learning: A Conversation with Andrew Pudewa

Higher Education Alternatives

Allow me to give you permission to ask a radical question: what if you didn’t go to college?…Continue readingHigher Education Alternatives

Help Your Student Monetize Their Creative Interests

The real world needs creative young people who are dedicated to using their gifts for the glory of God.…Continue readingHelp Your Student Monetize Their Creative Interests

How to Develop Practical Skills in High School

One can complete a degree and still be at a loss for how to cook or budget. So can students in high school learn these practical skills?…Continue readingHow to Develop...

Ascend by Unbound

Want to learn more about Unbound’s post high school training program, Ascend? Check out these articles!

“I’m not alone”: Jessica’s Ascend Story

Introduction Dear Reader, I don’t like reading testimonials. I like to have my questions answered, get a practical view of whatever I’m looking into, and understand what this new experience…Continue...

A Leap of Faith: Emma’s Ascend Story

I started my Ascend journey a little differently from other people. I already had two years of “box school” college under my belt—and it very nearly destroyed my faith. Surrounded…Continue...

“[Ascend] is a fresh perspective on how to train up young people to be resilient overcomers in the world, as well as a brave outlook on education. It has been one of the most challenging things [our son] has taken on, but he loves it.”

Ascend helps students work through questions about their purpose by offering highly actionable training on navigating forward through life decisions. …Continue reading“[Ascend] is a fresh perspective on how to train...

“I have seen my daughter grow tremendously in her relationships. . .The community that she has gotten the privilege to learn with, work with, and grow together with has been a huge blessing in her life. God is so good!”

“I have seen my daughter grow tremendously in her relationships. . .The community that she has gotten the privilege to learn with, work with, and grow together with has been...

The Road to Brave

Victoria Schurter uses personal stories and thoughtful insight in this series, where she dives into what it looks like to be brave.

In the End

This post was originally published on The Road to Brave. 10/17/24Somewhere on the road11 months to the day from our first steps onto the Road to Brave Every so often,…Continue...

Brave Enough to Be Loved

This post was originally published on The Road to Brave. Sometimes to love is easy, but to accept love is hard. ~ Brent Weeks The idea seems simultaneously ridiculous and so,…Continue...

Brave Enough to Love

This post was originally published on The Road to Brave. Have you ever read a blog post that was almost entirely questions? No? Well, me neither, but here you go.…Continue...

Brave Enough to Trust

This post was originally published on The Road to Brave ‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus — just to take Him at His wordJust to rest upon His promise…Continue...

Jace Bower

Jace Bower is a Copywriter for Unbound. An Unbound alumnus, he has experienced firsthand the powerful advantages of doing college differently and participating in an intentional community. Jace graduated with his bachelor’s degree in History in 2016 and has worked in restaurant management and marketing since then. He also served on the Unbound Student Cabinet in 2019. The author of two books and a semi-regular blogger, Jace can often be found doing something with words. When he’s not, chances are he’s reading about theology, listening to music, or playing pool or tennis with his wife Shannon in their Virginia home.

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Jonathan Brush

Jonathan Brush is the President and CEO of Unbound, a homeschool graduate, and a homeschool dad of six. He worked for nine years as a Director of Admissions for a private, liberal arts college, and then spent over ten years working in non-traditional higher education. Jonathan loves Unbound and Unbound students and dreams every single day about new ways to connect them to each other. He gets to work with the world’s best team and the most amazing student body in the history of the world (which is just as awesome as it sounds), and field questions about Rule 4 violations (ask an Unbound student to explain). Jonathan and his family make their home in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.

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Tim Fisher

Tim Fisher is the Controller and Director of Teams & Talents for Unbound, where he not only crunches numbers but also ensures the team members have what they need to succeed. He earned his bachelor's in accounting through Thomas Edison State University and jumps at nearly every chance to travel he gets. When he’s not studying about vision and leadership, Tim enjoys creating adventures with friends, running, biking, and reading. His life mantra is “Live life with an open hand.” Known to move and travel quite often, he currently lives in northern Indiana.

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Victoria Schurter

Victoria Schurter is the VP of Content and Development for Unbound. An Unbound graduate, Victoria has served in a variety of roles including student leadership, coaching, and in the Business and Leadership program. She is passionate about equipping young adults to recognize their potential, to know God, and make Him known in daily life. When she’s not working on an Unbound project, you can find her scribbling on a novel, playing a favorite instrument, riding horses, watching a sunset, or dreaming up some new adventure that absolutely includes the Pacific coastline. One of the best parts of her world is walking alongside her fellow Unbound students as they make an eternal impact in their generation.

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David Rethemeyer

David Rethemeyer is the Marketing Coordinator for Unbound. He was a homeschool graduate by age 16, earned his BSBA through the Unbound program, and finished his MBA from Missouri S&T by age 21. He specializes in branding, content marketing, and digital advertising. In his spare time, David enjoys gaming with friends, going for long runs on the Katy trail, tinkering with his computer, coming up with Words of Wisdom (ask an Unbound student to explain) serving at his local church, and eating absurdly spicy chicken wings.

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