Enrollment Opportunities for 2020-2021

For private schools such as ours, spring is the season for enrollment!  We welcome new families into our school via one of our various programs every year. This spring, we are opening a new program for enrollment, with the launch of Academy Online. Students in the state of TN and around the world are welcome to enroll in a virtual, distance learning program and progress at their own pace from their location of choice. 

If you’re interested in enrollment at the Academy for G.O.D. for the 2020-2021 school year, please evaluate which program below is for you. Our administration is also ready to walk you through each opportunity in order to best suit the needs of your students. With on campus, online, and homeschool services available, we’re ready to help you make 2020-2021 the best school year yet! 

Campus Program 

The Academy’s Campus Program is located on over 25 acres in the Hopewell Neighborhood of Old Hickory. K-12 students attend in person 5 days a week, 6.5 hours per day, for the 180-day school year as required by Tennessee Code Annotated § 49-50-801. They also qualify to participate in all school-related activities and events. 

Academy Online (5-days a Week)

The Academy Online is a virtual, distance learning program, characterized by the unique philosophy and approach of our school, available to K-12 students both in the United States and around the world. Online students enrolled full-time have courses available 5 days a week, using a competency based model so students can work at their own pace, within the term. Online students who reside in Middle TN are allowed to participate in clubs, the Phoenix sports program, field trips, assemblies, and other extracurricular activities. Online enrollment is open year-round. 

Academy Online (Single Course Enrollment)

Single course enrollment is offered through Academy Online for students who need to obtain course credit(s) or would like a supplemental learning opportunity in a particular subject, enjoying the Academy’s educational philosophy and approach. Single course enrollment is open year-round. 

HOMESCHOOL PROGRAMS

Tutorial Program (2-days a Week)

The Academy’s Tutorial Program is a 2-day a week on-campus supplemental learning experience for homeschool students in the state of Tennessee. Students receive a hands-on classroom experience across a wide variety of subjects and qualify to participate in clubs, Phoenix sports, field trips, assemblies, and other extracurricular activities. Enrollment for the tutorial program is open from January-May for the fall. 

Umbrella Program

Homeschool families in the state of TN are required to register their children with their local school district or a church-related "umbrella" school defined by Tennessee Code Annotated § 49-50-801. The Academy maintains student records, attendance and any voluntary testing results, and optionally offers consulting services related to curriculum. If you are not a resident of TN and are interested in the Academy’s Umbrella program, please ensure you are compliant with the homeschool laws of your state. 

Providing Meals to Kids during a Pandemic

Written by School Nutritionist, Mrs. Breann Chigumira

Rafael Reyes ensures the food is not only nutritious, but delicious too! The meals are not just basic sandwiches but greek pitas, taco salads, pizza pasta and more.

Over the past 5 years at the Academy for G.O.D, I thought I had "seen it all" in terms of hurdles to us serving nutritional lunches to students. Tornados, severe weather, flooding, school cancellations because of sickness, construction of new school buildings on campus, and the list could continue. However, what none of us were prepared for was a pandemic that would begin to change what our 'new normal' would look like. We were looking at a total shutdown of 'in-person' classes, and our school made a choice to move to an online format for the rest of the semester.

However, I knew that we could not just stop our school's nutrition program altogether. During the school year we serve breakfast and lunch daily to students, and now more than ever students and their parents need this support. With unemployment in Tennessee predicted to rise above 'great depression' levels, I knew that parents would be even more hard-pressed to feed their children.

During a health crisis we also have to acknowledge that ensuring children have proper nutrition will help boost their immunity toward this ever circulating virus. As I shopped at local stores looking for food for my family, I was challenged to find certain fresh fruits or vegetables and other nutritious items. If families are quarantined at home, how will they go to the store, if stores are out of food, how will families eat? These were all questions I knew our program could provide some solution to. Our school nutrition program has always emphasized fresh fruits and vegetables, and I knew that this was no time to reduce that intake for children.

For the everyday heroes who are part of school nutrition programs across the country, this was a time for us to step up and feed a vulnerable population. This was not the time to take a break or step back in fear. It was time to decide how to overcome obstacles, problem-solve, and ensure children have the best opportunity to thrive amidst a world in chaos. 1 John 4:18 was a motivating refrain behind these decisions: 'There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear...whoever fears has not been perfected in love.' Instead of being anxious or acting out of fear, love drives me to do God's will to help kids in my neighborhood (while at the same time practicing the wisdom this pandemic necessitates).

As often as possible, food is sourced locally. When we say “local” we mean down the hill at our on campus farm, Hopewell Farms.

As I realized the ongoing effects of COVID-19, I searched out grants and programs that would help our school to operate as a free meal site for any child under 18. I immediately got our application in to be part of the USDA’s ‘seamless summer option,’ this would allow our school to operate as a free meal site for any child under 18, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Broadening our focus beyond the Academy made it so that we could offer assistance to anyone in need in our proximity.

Every day what would normally be used for lunch tables are still used for lunch tables, just all packed to go. This team goes above and beyond with home delivery for those in the neighborhood, and a streamlined drive through service for those who are not.

Comparatively, our school nutrition program is not generally a huge operation. We are among a handful of private schools in all of Tennessee that operate under the USDA's National School Nutrition Program, with the rest being large school districts with 1,000s of students. Despite being a small site, I knew with some hard work we could serve our neighbors and those in need. Our first week, we served almost 2,000 meals (breakfast and lunch). Going into our second week, we are set to serve over 2,000! We are delivering meals in the Hopewell neighborhood. We also have a drive-through system for pick up Monday-Friday until the end of the semester. We completely revamped all of our operations to fit this new need, which was no small undertaking! Despite substantial food shortages, we have still been able to provide a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables along with fresh organic produce from our on-campus garden. We are also supporting several employees who now do not have to file for unemployment and still supporting local food businesses who need our patronage.

This has been an important time for us to step up to the challenge. I'm so happy with my team and our readiness to meet COVID-19 with faith that we can do our part. School nutrition may not always get to the forefront of daily news. But it's making a splash in this part of Nashville. It's nice to be reminded of this essential work, which contributes to the health of our communities -- our kids! I work with a team of everyday heroes who deserve applause! Groups like mine, all over the country, are stepping out and ensuring children are still taken care of, despite incredible challenges. That is a reason to keep hoping.

When Our Loss Becomes An Opportunity: Academy Online Goes Live!

Written by Mr. Muñoz, Elementary Vice Principal

I recently walked around the empty halls of our school building, and I felt a little sad about all the missed moments with our students over the past few weeks and the weeks to come. I miss hearing the kids laughing in the hallways and giving each other hugs. I miss seeing teachers smile at each other and share their stories. I miss glancing in the door windows to see teachers interacting with their students. While it does feel like a loss, I am reassured by remembering that with God even our losses can become opportunities.

Romans 8:28 “and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to his purpose.’

As a school community, we have a calling and love for God. I am challenged by this scripture today to focus on the opportunity that can come from God’s work on our behalf.

Elementary students check in with their teachers and classmates for a live session each morning, then begin their lessons for the day!

The Academy Online is one of those works, and our staff has been working with such diligence, creativity, and collaboration to prepare something special for our students. Mrs. Benoit, one of our elementary lead teachers had this to say about the program, "I am excited about the new program the Academy is rolling out and incredibly blessed to be part of something new and exciting! I'm thankful to be part of a team that works together to ensure that our students get access to the best education possible, despite the inability to come together in person. The dedication of the teachers and staff at the Academy never fails to amaze me. I'm always encouraged by the way everyone works together to continually strive to maintain access to our holistic education in a stress-free and fun manner for our students."

As we launch our program today, I can’t help but wish the doors of our school were open! At the same time, I couldn't be more excited for the opportunity in front of us through this new program. It will not only bless our students, but open up the door to bless students all over the world!