Meet Curtis Chang

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By Joan Frances –

Families in Fort Bend County are fortunate to have several options in educating their children to accommodate their individual needs. Public and private schools are highly qualified and renowned for success. Home schooling has been around for decades and in recent years has evolved to become another effective method of teaching. Curtis Chang lives in Sugar Land, has been home schooled for six years and has an impressive resume that verifies his accomplishments.

Chang attended elementary school at Cornerstone and then went to Sartartia Middle School in 6th grade. His mother taught him for two years, and then he enrolled at the Laurel Springs School, a private online high school based in Ojai, California. The school offers a wide array of courses that are NCAA-approved and gave Chang the flexibility to study the courses he wanted.

“My time at Laurel Springs School has been a great and fun experience. I attend my classes online and receive great teacher support. The teachers are easily accessible through email or skype. Throughout my time at the school, I feel that I have learned a lot and am prepared to tackle college. My favorite teacher is Ms. Stephanie Schneider. She taught me English and has always been supportive of my goals. I will always treasure the freedom that my online high school has given me to create my own schedule and learning plan. It has taught me independence and responsibility.” Chang has taken Advanced Placement classes and has graduated with a grade point average of 4.2.

Chang’s forte is gymnastics. “Over the past 14 years, gymnastics has been my passion and the driving force in my life. I have had a lot of success in my gymnastics career, but my journey is not over. I want to continue performing gymnastics in college as a student-athlete. With the confidence, tenacity, integrity and great work ethic I have developed, I know that I can achieve even more in the future. I know I can bring success to my team, my school and myself.”

For years, Chang has spent thirty hours per week training his mind and body in the gym, followed a strict diet and sleep regimen and sacrificed social activities to practice and compete. He suffered several injuries, and while these were frustrating setbacks, he was able to work through them with persistence and determination.

Chang received the Academic All-American award in 2016, 2017 and 2018 from the U.S.A. Gymnastics. He was also awarded the Ricki Deci Exceptional Achievement Award by his gymnastics club team, Champion-Texas Gymnastics. His proudest moment was placing fifth on Floor Exercise in the 2015 Junior Olympic National Championships.

Chang has traveled to many different parts of the country for competitions from Long Beach, California to Daytona, Florida. His travels have given him an exclusive experience to see what other parts of the country are like. He is a mentor to young gymnasts  and he volunteers at his club gym helping to teach young athletes how to perform gymnastics and the importance of good character. “Being a leader to young athletes and my gymnastics teammates is a great experience. I feel like I am passing down what I have learned to the next generation so that they can be better than me. This gives me great fulfillment.”

In the fall, Chang will be attending Ohio State University and in addition to continuing to perform gymnastics, will be pursuing a business degree. Congratulations Curtis Chang on your undeniable tenacity and discipline. Good luck as we look forward to watching your lifetime dream come true.