Simone Biles is best known as the powerhouse of American gymnastics, a four-time Olympic gold medalist, 25-time World Championship medalist, and a symbol of resilience and excellence. But behind her athletic dominance lies another powerful story: one of education, determination, and the struggle to balance school with world-class competition.
While many young athletes aim to fit sports around school, Simone’s life flipped that script. Her education wasn’t typical; it was molded by the demands of a rigorous athletic schedule. Yet, despite missing traditional milestones like prom or classroom friendships, Simone found a way to make education meaningful on her own terms.
Early Life & Elementary Schooling
Simone Arianne Biles was born on March 14, 1997, in Columbus, Ohio. After facing a challenging early childhood, including time in foster care, she and her siblings were adopted by their maternal grandparents, Ron and Nellie Biles. They moved to Spring, Texas, where Simone was raised and first introduced to gymnastics.
She attended Benfer Elementary School, where her teachers first noticed her high energy and athletic abilities. A daycare field trip to a local gym changed everything Simone tried tumbling for the first time and instantly stood out. Coaches encouraged her to pursue gymnastics, setting her on a path that would soon reshape her entire academic journey.
The Decision to Homeschool: A Turning Point
By the time Simone was 13, it was clear she wasn’t just a talented gymnast she was destined for greatness. Training nearly 20 hours a week wasn’t enough. To compete at an elite level, she needed more flexibility in her schedule.
In 2012, at age 14, Simone made the difficult decision to leave traditional school and begin homeschooling. This was a pivotal moment. Most teenagers look forward to high school dances and classroom fun. Simone gave that up for double training sessions, meal prep routines, and recovery protocols. Her education now had to be structured around 6–8 hours of training every day.
She later said, “I missed out on high school events, prom, football games, friends but in exchange, I got to represent my country and live my dream.”
Simone earned her high school diploma in 2015, just before her Olympic debut in 2016. Her dedication to both school and sport during this time is a testament to her focus and work ethic.
The UCLA Chapter: A Dream Deferred
In 2014, Simone verbally committed to attend the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), one of the top collegiate gymnastics programs in the country. The plan was to compete for the Bruins after the 2016 Olympics.
But in 2015, she announced her decision to turn professional, which meant she would forfeit her NCAA eligibility. The reason? With endorsement deals on the table, including Nike and Kellogg’s, Simone chose to focus on the business side of her career, a move that would set her up financially and further elevate her brand.
Though she never attended UCLA, Simone kept close ties with the university and often expressed admiration for their gymnastics culture. Still, this choice marked another major educational sacrifice in pursuit of elite sport.
Online College & the University of the People
By 2018, with global fame and multiple medals under her belt, Simone decided to revisit her educational goals. But instead of enrolling in a traditional university, she chose a more flexible route: online learning.
Simone enrolled in University of the People, a tuition-free, accredited online university offering degrees in business administration and health science. She pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, which aligned with her growing interest in entrepreneurship and brand building.
Her choice of UoPeople wasn’t just about convenience. She was moved by the university’s mission of making higher education accessible to students regardless of background, income, or location. As someone who came from a modest upbringing and had once been in foster care, Simone saw a reflection of herself in UoPeople’s student body.
She went a step further and became the Global Ambassador for the University of the People, helping raise awareness and funds. In 2018, she launched the Simone Biles Legacy Scholarship Fund to help students from foster care backgrounds achieve their educational dreams, a deeply personal cause close to her heart.
Why Her Educational Path Matters
Simone’s educational journey isn’t conventional, and that’s precisely what makes it inspiring.
- Customized her learning to fit her dreams, not the other way around
- Chose homeschooling to pursue excellence, sacrificing typical teenage experiences
- Postponed college to embrace professional opportunities and financial independence
- Returned to school on her own terms to set an example and uplift others
Her story is a reminder that education doesn’t have to follow a straight line. It can be paused, reshaped, or resumed. What matters is that it’s meaningful and pursued with purpose.
Final Thoughts
Simone Biles’ story isn’t just one of flips, medals, and records. It’s also a story of resilience and redefinition especially when it comes to education. In a world that often expects students to follow one narrow academic path, Simone chose to chart her own course.
Today, she stands as a role model not only for athletes, but for anyone who feels like the traditional route doesn’t quite fit. Her commitment to learning, even while juggling one of the most demanding sports on earth, proves that with discipline and creativity, you really can do it all.
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