ENVIRONMENT
Our distinctive environment, characterized by a biophilic design, deviates from traditional school settings. This design directly influences mental health and academic performance. The architecture and campus buildings situated on 40 acres, blend harmoniously with the natural surroundings, maintaining a humble connection to the environment.
CURRICULUM
Our daily schedule comprises focused academic lessons in the morning, followed by practical arts in the afternoon. Practical arts involve the hands-on application of knowledge gained during the academic morning blocks. Concepts such as chemistry come to life in blacksmithing, fractions are applied in cooking, geometry finds expression in leatherworking, and physics unfolds through the art of archery.
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE PROGRAM
With the rise of artificial intelligence we have to ask ourselves, “What makes us human?” It’s our heart; our heart brain connection. We work with the HeartMath Institute to track and monitor our emotional intelligence program.
EDUCATORS
Educators: We refer to ourselves as educators rather than teachers, emphasizing the concept of drawing out the innate potential within each child rather than dictating what they ‘must’ learn. We question everything, thus leading our students to recognize their freedom lies in choosing their future.
FAMILY INVOLVEMENT
We place a strong emphasis on involving families in the educational journey. This collaborative approach enhances the overall learning experience for the child and strengthens the school community.“No School can work well for children if parents and teach.
Experience why our children are HAPPY to learn!
What Makes Us Special?
“Our Keys to Education framework reflects what the real world actually demands from people: not just test scores, but clarity of thinking, discipline, creativity, and resilience. While traditional education systems are largely designed to optimize standardized test performance, our model aims to optimize human performance. We absolutely take academic rigor seriously, but we recognize that intellectual growth is deeply connected to whole wellness, nature integration, and the role of family in a child’s development. With this focus we develop students who can think coherently, build strong nervous systems, and cultivate disciplined minds capable of solving complex problems. When our students graduate, the goal is not simply that they performed well on exams, but that they are prepared to operate at a high level in the real world. This is not an incremental improvement to the current model of schooling—it is a new operating system for education, built on the understanding that while smart can be taught, genius must be developed and nurtured in the right environment.” – Founder, Colleen Paul-Hus
The Essentials
Core Subjects by Grade
| Grade | Core Subjects / Blocks |
|---|---|
| 1st Grade | Language Arts (letters, phonics, writing); Mathematics (number sense & operations); Form Drawing; Art & Music (painting, recorder, poetry); Nature Studies. |
| 2nd Grade | Grammar & Composition (fables, legends); Arithmetic (four operations); Nature & Animal Studies; Art; Handwork; Music; Movement. |
| 3rd Grade | Practical Life (farming, building, shelter); Biblical History & Early Civilizations (Creation, Hebrews, Sumer, Akkad); Grammar & Composition; Math (measurement, money, time). |
| 4th Grade | Literature & Mythology (Norse myths, Beowulf); Fractions; Local Geography & Industry; Human & Animal Science; Grammar; Drawing. |
| 5th Grade | Ancient Civilizations (Mesopotamia, India, Persia, Greece, Egypt); Botany; Geometry; Geography; Grammar & Composition; Pentathlon. |
| 6th Grade | Physics (light, heat, sound); Astronomy; Mineralogy; Geometry; Business Math; Roman & Medieval History; Grammar; European Geography. |
| 7th Grade | Renaissance & Reformation; Physics (mechanics, optics); Intro to Chemistry (combustion, acids/bases); Physiology & Nutrition; Algebra; Perspective Drawing; World Geography. |
| 8th Grade | U.S. & World History (Revolutions, 19th Century); Chemistry I; Physics (meteorology, mechanics); Human Anatomy; Literature; Geometry; Practical Arts. |
| 9th Grade | Algebra I; Thermal Physics; Chemistry II; World History; English I; Agriculture II; Culinary Arts I; Art I; French I; Physical Education; Theater I; Order of Aletheia- Honor Society; Invention Lab. |
| 10th Grade | Projective Geometry; Hydrology; Chemistry; U.S. History; English II; Agriculture III; Art II; American Government; Artisan Craftsmanship II & III; Astronomy; Intro to Trigonometry; Order of Aletheia – Honor Society; Optional Dual Enrollment. |
| 11th Grade | Advanced Mathematics; Literature of Ideals; U.S. Civics; Ecology; Applied Physics; Entrepreneurial Studies; Master Craft Practicum; Field Practicum (Applied Physics & Craftsmanship Immersion); Dual Enrollment Opportunities. |
| 12th Grade | Capstone Thesis; Leadership & Ethics; Advanced Sciences; Comparative Philosophy; Senior Project (integrating practical + academic mastery); Field Practicum; Expanded Dual Enrollment Options. |
Afternoon Practical Arts and Hands On Application Include:
Agriculture, Culinary, Orchestra, Handwork, PARC Foundations, Physical Education, Woodworking, Industrial Arts, Blacksmithing, Leather Working, Basket Weaving, Spoon Carving, Pottery + More
Admissions
Choosing a school for your child is an important decision. During your tour, any questions on our learning method and philosophy will be answered to ensure that our school is a good fit for your child.
Take the first step toward joining The Academy at the PARC:
1. Submit an inquiry form
2. Schedule a school tour
3. Submit an Application Form
Parent Testimonials
“The Academy at the PARC is a place that educates and nurtures the whole child. The children are happy to be there. They’re learning not only through academics but through movement, nature, arts, real life hands in the dirt learning, and play. This is the kind of learning that is both the education of the future and the golden days of the past. The teachers and staff have a deep caring for these children and it shows in the nurturing teaching style. This education is going to prepare them for real life learning and thinking that will place them above and beyond in higher education, the work force, and life in general. Grateful to be a part of this beautiful school amongst the trees!”
– Jessica Jury
“My daughter has been taking workshops in blacksmithing, Cobb earth building, cooking and leather crafting. She has so much fun with the kids there in the natural environment. Highly recommend any event at the PARC! We love going there! Blessings.”
“That’s what sold me on the school. I purposely looked at the high schoolers eyes. I wanted to see if there was still light in their eyes. There was and I knew this was the right place.”
