Hope
Academy

www.wingstosoar.org

"Where Outside the Box Learners Get Wings to Soar"

Alternative private school enrolling 6^th - 12^th "grades"

(3^rd - 5^th grade waiting list)

Registration Form

Jump to: Distinctives | Curriculum Overview | Tuition payment plans | Staff Background | Schedule | Location

Distinctives

• multi-age small group classes where each student is expected to grow, starting from wherever they are at currently, towards their fullest potential
• curriculum tailored to meet individual needs and diverse learning styles with remedial and enrichment opportunities
• rich and varied curriculum is presented at a level, pacing, and with the necessary support to allow success for “outside the box learners”
• emphasis is on life-prep, whether or not that includes college; this includes respectful communication skills, critical thinking, real-world applications, self-awareness, and career explorations; values and character education
• ability to express understanding of material, effort, and participation are emphasized over grades and tests, although study skills, including test-taking, are explicitly taught

Curriculum Overview

• History-based, integrated liberal studies core
  • Includes world and US history and geography, government, philosophy, economics, art, music, literature, and writing. We do a 4-year cycle through history; we will be studying the Ancient World through the Middle Ages during the 2008-2009 school year. Government is taught both as a separate course as well as integrated throughout history studies.
• Science
  • 2-4 year cycle through Earth Science, Life Sciences, Chemistry, and Physics. Most high schoolers will be studying Biology during the 2008-2009 school year.
• Language Arts
  • partially integrated with the integrated liberal studies core
  • supplemented with individual and small group work on spelling, vocabulary, grammar, writing, Latin and Greek word-parts, reading strategies, fluency and comprehension skills
  • literature - Newbery award winners, classics (and easy reading versions of classics), historical fiction, biographies, and self-selected titles emphasized
• Math
  • Students move at their own individual level and pace through Teaching Textbooks &/or Math-U-See, (including computer or DVD instructional segments, hands-on manipulatives included at all levels of Math-U-See, text, workbook, test book, and adult support as needed)
  • If another math program is working particularly well for a student, it is often possible for them to continue in that program.
  • Consumer Math is taught as a two year sequence of ˝ credit discussion-based courses.
• Keyboarding is self-paced on the computer using Typing Tutor and Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing programs
• Spanish or French
  • Tell Me More computer-based interactive immersion approach supplemented with adult support for Spanish
  • A twice a week group French class is taught be a fluent parent and is supplemented with computer and text work on the other days.
• Critical Thinking is taught as a two year sequence of ˝ credit courses for older students and is reinforced throughout the day in other courses.
• Art is a 1/4 credit course taught once a week by an artist friend to give students a creative outlet and expand their own artistic skills
• Computer skills is a course that will likely be offered in the 2008-2009 school year by an instructor from the Herzing College technology department
• NILD educational therapy and other remedial techniques are incorporated where appropriate to strengthen visual, auditory perceptual, processing, and memory skills; one-to-one NILD therapy and tutoring available before and after school and during the school day on a limited basis for an additional fee

Tuition payment plans

Amounts reflect 2008-2009 tuition for one child—base annual tuition is $9552 with 2-4% discounts available depending on which payment plan you choose. A 10% discount is available for multiple students in a family enrolled. Payment is requested in the form of a check made out to Hope Academy (cash is also accepted).

• One time $50 registration fee due with enrollment application (refunded only if Hope Academy is not able to enroll the student)
• $150 assessment fee—Assessment will allow us to properly place your student in appropriately individualized curriculum and help us to be more sure that we will have the ability to meet your student’s needs. About 3-5 hours will need to be scheduled prior to starting classes for individualized assessments.
• Scholarships are available in cases of financial need. A portion of that scholarship may be offered as a work option if the parents or an older student themselves have the hours and skills we need in the school or store. Available scholarship and work hours are distributed among those requesting financial assistance on an ability to meet our needs basis, paired with an attempt at an equitable distribution based on level of need. Applying for financial aid is separate from your acceptance into Hope Academy and will not influence your acceptance.

Staff Background

Beth Ellen Nash is the director and lead teacher. She is a certified teacher with a degree in Elementary Education (grades 1-9) from UW-Madison. Additionally, she has taken graduate course work in the Orton-Gillingham and the Davis dyslexia remediation programs, as well as National Institute of Learning Disabilities, as well as graduate coursework in science and geography education. She has taught at Wingra School (7th & 8th grades) and substitute taught K-12 in the Oregon and Verona school districts. Beth Ellen's passion for struggling learners developed as she tutored over 35 individuals in the past 10 years.

Several other adults will also work with the students who are volunteers or hired part time at the discretion of the director. These adults range from a teacher with 30 years teaching experience and specialized training in learning disabilities to friends/ parents with artistic skills or language fluency to friends/ parents who are professors and help out by sharing their expertise through a class or coaching. We also believe in mentoring young adults considering teaching through an assistant role. A willingness to work with the student-centered philosophy of the school is more important to us than formal licensure.

Schedule

• School day options run from 8:40-3:40; 9-4; or 8:40-4
  • Students are welcome to be at school between the hours of 8:30-5 without prior arrangement with minimal supervision outside of school hours. Extended hours until 6 pm are possible. Earlier drop-off may be available for an additional fee to cover additional staffing hours.
  • homework club is available and may be required if homework isn’t happening at home—If more than minimal supervision is needed, there will be an additional fee.
• core school year Labor Day-Memorial Day
• Summer Program
  • will likely meet Monday and Wednesday afternoon from noon-4 for 14-16 days during June and July: some students may attend for the full day if they have much catch up work
  • The summer program is an expected part of our school year schedule, as students lose too much if they don’t keep learning through the summer.
  • Students may be able to do additional work to catch up on missed credits during the summer and throughout the school year, if appropriate for an additional fee.
  • some flexibility around family travel needs
  • amount and nature of additional assignments based on individual student needs

1310 Mendota Street Suite 118
Madison, WI 53714

(608) 327-8150
info@wingstosoar.org
www.wingstosoar.org

Hope Academy works in partnership with Cornerstone Learning Connections, a family-owned educational store featuring homeschool materials, teacher resources, hundreds of games, educational CD-ROMs, quality fiction and non-fiction books, and a strong early childhood section.