Frequently Asked Questions
Is UP Academy®’s style of teaching and learning individualized or differentiated?
We focus on each individual student in terms of helping them set goals and become agents of their own learning. In the classroom, our teachers use differentiated learning - they tailor their approach to match each student’s individual learning style.
Students take in information, analyze ideas and express what they learn - as they progress together toward their goals. This inclusive model is the opposite of the “one size fits all” approach.
Differentiated learning is a big part of how we accomplish running a school where there is no special ed, where able-bodied and disabled kids work together. It is also how we do single subject or full grade acceleration to support all of our learners unique profiles.
How will a mixed age environment support my child’s development?
In a mixed age environment, students are able to take on the role of both the student and the teacher by working with kids who are both older and younger than they are.
Students who take on the role of a teacher master the information at a high intellectual level, and learn to communicate it well so younger students can understand. The teaching role also builds self esteem, helps them develop mastery and immerses them in active learning.
Students who learn from their peers engage in activities or investigations they would not have been able to accomplish if they've been grouped with kids their own age. Kids get to stretch and expand their ideas of what's possible when they're learning from their peers.
Mixed age classes provide the ability to work with lots of students of different abilities, resulting in a deeper and richer educational experience.
Most of our educators have masters degrees in the fields in which they are teaching. Many of them have decades of experience. We are leaders in integrated project based learning, and our educators and leadership regularly consult with other schools and educators to support their development.
We believe that building a relationship with your child is really the number one key to their success. And so, our educators work hard to connect with each and every one of their students.
What are the qualifications of your Educators?
Yes. Our curriculum is drawn from common core, ISTE, NGSS and others. We make sure that all of our students are getting a well-rounded, rigorous academic education that will prepare them for middle school and beyond.
Will my child learn at the appropriate grade level?
Do You Provide Snacks or Lunch? We do not provide any food or snacks.
Our students are prepared with the knowledge and skills to thrive in any middle school environment. Beginning in 2023 UP Academy® is launching a new innovative middle school!
Where do your students go to middle school?
How did you come up with the name of the school?
Our goal is to help students reach their ultimate potential. For some students that’s standing up. For other it’s learning up. Moving up. Reaching up. It’s looking to achieve more and always do your best so you can reach that ultimate potential.
The UP in UP Academy® stands for Ultimate Potential.
What does Project Based Learning mean?
Deep, interdisciplinary project based learning contributes to the magic of Up Academy®. We call these REBEL projects. Re-imagined, Empathy Based, Educational Learning Projects.
The students engage in meaningful projects that allow them to engage authentically in their community to solve problems. These are not activities that are done in class, but rather a series of activities, explorations, field trips, speakers and experiences that build upon a project concept for deep learning that transfers to the real world.
Over the course of a trimester the students are able to grow in wonder as they make discoveries and explore their topic through hands-on activities and field trips.
Each project culminates with an exhibition day, where the students get to demonstrate their learning and craftsmanship.
Your classes are small, will my child be able to socialize?
Our mixed age, small by design, classes create a loving environment where each student builds a strong relationship with the peers and educator resulting in a deeper and richer educational experience.
Students learn and collaborate with other students of all ages. They build a rich social circle and enjoy both teaching and learning with their peers.
Large classes weren’t created for socialization, most teachers would prefer to have less than 15 students, they were created by lack of budget to provide a more individualized experience. There are often more social challenges in a large classroom where the educator is less involved in supporting positive relationships.
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