UPDATE — After this story was published, the school did a market study and found that parents desire a school where they can send all of their children to at the same location. Therefore, it has decided to expand like a normal elementary school, for ages 5-10, by Aug. 25. It will now be open to grades K-5.
WILLIAMSBURG — Enlighten Christian Academy, a new faith-based microschool located in the Norge area, sets sail this August.
While microschools and private Christian academies exist in Williamsburg, this school will be the first in the area to represent a combination of the two.
This program, open to first and second graders, hopes to grow and expand through the grade levels with its first group of students. With small class sizes and personalized support from teachers, students will be able to move on to more challenging material at their own pace.
This adaptable program allows four different tracks for students. The All-In-One experience is a full-time commitment, where students will learn core subjects in the morning and enrichment courses like Spanish or business during regular school hours from Monday through Thursday, and participate in Flex Fridays. A student is also able to choose a track which is only the Academic Experience or the Enrichment Experience, both of which allow the ability to attend Flex Fridays. A fourth track includes solely Flex Fridays. Program choices vary in cost from $8,500 to $900 a year.
What are Flex Fridays?
According to the Director of Enlighten Christian Academy, Amanda Paull, Flex Fridays are typically a field trip giving students experiential learning. These trips and experiences are scheduled for three Fridays a month. An example of a field trip that the school is planning is a visit to a pumpkin patch. Because the field trip will not take up the whole day, the beginning of the day will be used for an academic review session. The fourth Friday of every month will be used for a chapel program, where students can showcase their talents through activities such as singing or dancing.
“We are going to be honoring God with our meal times, and we’re going to start each day with a devotion, where we remember the things that we’re thankful for. That’s a great way to start the day off, is just to look around and count our blessings, and helps to get our foot off on the right path” Paull said.
Enlighten Christian Academy is non-denominational, open to the public and provides faith-based personalized education.
Enrichment classes planned in the coming year include business, Spanish and culinary courses.
“We are going to customize the education to each child’s level. One that is, maybe, a little bit more basic, won’t be frustrated, and they’ll be able to just handle their curriculum, but one that is more advanced will easily go on to the next level,” Paull said.
According to Paull, the grade levels will be intermingled, easing a child’s ability to switch to a new class. Core subjects will be separated, but enrichment courses will be together, with a goal of easing a child’s transition through levels.
Enlighten Christian Academy is offering 40% off tuition for students whose parents work six hours a week at the school. Additionally, the school is offering $500 off tuition until July 31.
The school is open to children who are aged 6-8 by Sept. 30. The first day of class will be held on Monday, Aug. 25.
Learn more at EnlightenChristianAcademy.
