How Academy Online Isn't Your Typical Online School

That’s a wrap on our 2019-2020 school year, and with the fourth quarter held fully online, our students adjusted to a new way of learning in just a few weeks! We are proud to showcase some fun, quality projects our students completed over their final quarter. Enjoy!

One of our weekly themes was “Endurance”. Students were presented with a variety of assignments that required focus and perseverance to complete. We received a number of submissions that were creative and inspiring. Check out this “trick shot challenge” from one of our elementary students, where they were to set up a challenging shot and practice endurance until they succeeded at the shot.

The shift to online learning meant exponential opportunities to practice technology! Elementary students learned the ins and outs of iPad apps like iMovie, while learning practical skills like how do laundry! In one Creative Arts course, students created step-by-step presentations to teach others how to properly wash laundry. This was one of our favorites!

Our Jr High students’ backyard gardens are thriving! They’ve been applying what they learned in elementary gardening classes to manage pests with homemade organic sprays, and control weeds with mulching methods like cardboard and wood chips. Way to go students, we are so proud of you!

Also in Jr High, the Nutrition & Meal Prep class, emphasized skills such as proper knife grips, and how to work safely around heat in the kitchen. Their final project was to plan and execute a 3 course meal, documenting both how they used their skills, and the fellowship that was enjoyed on the other side of their efforts!

One of our high school students, Genesis, composed a poem in her Social Studies course reflecting on what they’ve learned in the class.  It was a joy to see students creatively express themselves and the content they had processed through online modules. 

“Life Hacks” was a favorite class with our younger elementary students. Teachers were intentional in embedding STEM skills (geometric shapes) and Language Arts skills (following and articulating step-by-step processes) into fun, creative projects.

In her 8th grade Project Development course, this Jr High student created a product called “No-Dough” to assist her in making bread and cleaning her supplies. This class trained students to create a product that met some need that they had, and could be marketable.

Memorizing and writing scripture is a component of our Language Arts courses. These are some submissions from elementary students!

This Jr High student did an excellent final project for his Visual Arts course! His video showcases the creation process.

And finally, this documentary by one of our upper elementary students blew her teachers away! The students were asked to use the videography and storytelling skills from the Documentary Making to produce a mini-documentary on a subject of their choice, something that was interesting and feasible to do within a 6-week period.

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. 

Split or Steal?! A Lesson in Generosity

During one of my recent Beginnings classes, I led a game called “SPLIT or STEAL” to create an opportunity for students to engage with “Law 8: Don’t take what doesn’t belong to you” (in real time). The game was an opportunity to decide if they wanted to share (“split”) or take a prize (“steal”) from their partner. Such is a very real decision that most of us unknowingly make daily.

Now you may say, “I do not decide each day whether or not I should steal.” However, as I'm teaching my students, I encourage you to not stay at the simplistic definition of not "taking an object that is the property of another". Instead, we're examining how stealing can go beyond that.

Elementary students play “SPLIT or STEAL” as an opportunity to consider another classmate’s preference or need.

In class, we discussed how they can take their friend's opportunity to learn away by shouting out answers instead of raising their hands. They also learned they could take a special celebration moment away by choosing to “one-up” a friend or be jealous and quiet when their peer may receive an award, praise, or DOJO points.

I pray this simple game continues to resonate with my students this year as they interact with their classmates. I hope we can continue to examine ways we could be tempted to "take" and rather respond with ways we can give generously to one another whether through praise, a helping hand, or a listening ear.

The Purpose of Focus Level Elective Courses

Written by Ms. Rebekah Davis, Lead Teacher

This week our Focus students jumped into their semester-long elective classes. Now, maybe you’re secretly asking yourself, “Wait, what grade is Focus again?” Focus refers to our upper elementary students - typically ages 10-11. Your next question might be, “And elementary students get to pick their own classes?” That’s right! Within parameters.

At the Generals level (6-7 yo), students are exposed to a wide variety of subjects and skills. At the Specifics level (8-9 yo), they go deeper and look into the nuances of that discipline and its application. For example, Generals have a My Emotions class, and Specifics use that content to engage in Conflict Resolution class. Throughout these early elementary years students are learning themselves and discovering the natural gifts and inclinations God has given them.

In elective courses, students are able to explore a given subject in greater depth. In a Fermented Foods class this semester, students are learning to make kefir water.

By the time the students get to the Focus level, they know themselves well enough to have notably stronger interest in some disciplines over others. Their classmates know it too. Jimmy is the math whiz! Ali can write a 10 page story over the weekend! Two years of choir class has highlighted musical gifts in many.

Paying attention to these budding gifts, we offer a diversity of classes to the Focus students, and let them select 2 of their classes each day. This semester’s electives span subjects like Fermented Foods & Gut Health, The History of Math, Speech/Debate, Typography, Forming & Maintaining Healthy Habits, Chorale, and Robotics!

The diversity of classes matches the diversity of our students, keeping motivation high for students as they each have ownership over their schedule. Stay tuned for some exciting reports this semester from our Focus electives!

Worship in Spirit & Truth

Written by Mrs. Hollie Benoit, Specifics Level Lead Teacher

“Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! For he is our God.”  Psalm 95:6

In a world where differences such as skin color or clothing brand can drive children apart, making them feel insecure and alone, our students are being unified in their love for the Lord. This semester our older and younger students have combined classes for our weekly Chapel. As students transitioned into this new phase during the last few weeks, we as teachers have encouraged them to spend time together, getting to know each other on a deeper level. 

Scenes like this are what make the Academy’s weekly chapel services a distinct part of our students’ week. Growing together in prayer and support for one another is a precious lesson the students are learning.

Chapel is the one time during the week when all four classes at these levels come together except for lunch and recess. There were understandable insecurities the first few times among the younger students: “who will I sit next to”, “what do these older kids think of me”, among others. Recently, we were blessed to witness the overflowing presence of the Lord in the room as the children allowed for freedom in worship to occur: on their knees, crying out to the Lord, hands raised in worship to God with all their heart. 

I often find myself getting caught up in worship doing the same, closing my eyes and raising my hands. During this particular Chapel though, I heard small cries to the Lord which turned to weeping. When I opened my eyes to check on the students, I was overcome with the sight before me. Several students, of varying levels, from all four classes, were around the child who had been overcome by the Lord’s presence. They were laying their hands on them, praying for them, worshipping the Lord together, embracing and supporting each other during what can feel like such a vulnerable moment. 

The past weeks have been building to this culminating moment, and they were getting to experience unity together, the way the Lord teaches us. They released all insecurities and were genuinely free to worship alongside one another in complete vulnerability and truth. In John 4:24, Jesus teaches that “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” Our students are overcoming any differences to support one another, pray for one another, love one another, and depend on each other. I am so incredibly thankful for moments like these that remind us of the Lord’s goodness and his promise to be with us always. 

We all have spiritual giftings and differences, and recognizing our differences is useful. However, those differences should not separate us but instead should be the very thing that encourages us to thrive in our role in the body of Christ. I’m proud to see a generation of children who see each other the way God made them different, but yet the same, all created in His image. These students are living this out daily, and the work the Lord is doing in them never stops amazing me!