FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Arrow Academy intends to follow guidelines from the CDC and recommendations from ISBE to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at our school. Arrow Accelerated Academy will be "mask optional" for the 2022-2023 school year, with the exception of learners returning after exposure or diagnosis (per CDC guidelines for the general public). As of August 2022, some of our safety measures include: Offering families the option of wearing masks Frequent hand-washing Enhanced cleaning procedures Having symptomatic learners stay home from school ​ Our protocols will be revised as recommendations change. Please contact us for additional details.

For the 2022-2023 school year, morning drop-off is between 8:15-8:30am. Afternoon pick-up is between 3:15-3:25pm. New for 2023-2024, morning drop-off will begin at 8:00am. (Learners must arrive by 8:45am in preparation for our 9:00am Launch.) Learners who arrive early will have time for outdoor play, socialization, and flexible work and exploration time. Afternoon pick-up will begin at 3:15pm. Learners must be picked up by 4:00pm. During this time, learners will have additional time for outdoor play and socialization. For families who need care beyond Arrow school hours, we are located near a few facilities that offer extended care programs. Families will have to contact these programs for availability, pricing, and transportation information. The Naperville Yard Bright Horizons Kiddie Campus

Your child will demonstrate their learning by achieving badges that represent mastery in a particular academic area or social-emotional skill. Mastery learning is ensuring that a learner has a complete understanding of a concept before they move on. An incomplete understanding early on can have devastating results later, especially in math. Using the latest adaptive learning tools for core skills, our learners progress at their own pace as they master each concept, moving quickly through topics they grasp easily and spending more time on those they find challenging. Children who comprehend a concept quickly can move on or deepen their understanding by helping those who are struggling. Your child will also build a portfolio of their work. Your child's academic progress, portfolio, and goals will always be available for you to view and discuss with them. Each academic session at Arrow Academy concludes with an opportunity to view an authentic application of your child's learning through a public showcase of their work. ​ Learners will have the option of participating in an annual administration of a standardized exam for the purpose of measuring the overall efficacy of our program. Read what Acton Academy's founders have to say about standardized testing here. ​ Read a perspective on the rationale for not assigning homework here. ​ Read an an article on testing and authentic assessments here.

Arrow Academy requires the same vaccinations as a DCFS registered daycare or public school. That list can be viewed here.

We respect and incorporate Maria Montessori’s philosophy but, we are not a certified Montessori school. We like to think of ourselves as "Montessori-inspired" or "Montessori+". We've even had our approach described as "Montessori meets Silicon Valley". Families that are familiar with the Montessori method will find similarities in the way we employ mixed-age classrooms, independent learning, and teachers working as guides in the personal quest for learning. However, in addition to the benefits of the Montessori method, we also use the latest interactive technologies, hands-on projects and the Socratic Method for discussions. ​ Read about why this method works here.

Please see our bullying policy below. .

In our learning model, learners are in control of what they are learning. We believe that by giving children freedom to determine what, when, and how they learn, learning is much more effective (and enjoyable). Therefore, learners move through content more efficiently and accomplish much more than is possible in most traditional academic settings. In fact, a large majority of our learners are working above grade-level in multiple foundational academic subjects. Accelerated learning means: learning deeply by solving complex problems and creating meaningful projects. using the most efficient tools and resources to meet the unique needs and preferences of each learner. creating a strong academic foundation in core subjects from which the learner continues to build higher-level skills. connecting multiple disciplines through common themes and patterns. including learners and their families in creating a short-term academic goals and long-term academic plans so learners see "the big picture". focusing on identifying and strengthening individual assets and passions instead of academic or personal deficiencies. believing that children are highly capable and worthy of being given their own time and space in which to learn. We like the Carnegie Corporation of New York's explanation of what accelerated learning is not. (See below.) Accelerated learning is not: speeding up (teachers should spend more time on priority units, not less) cramming two years of instruction into one a one-size-fits-all approach with identical schedules information regurgitation or vocabulary memorization spending time remediating large chunks of content from prior grades a “drill and kill” approach to developing skills labeling students into fixed groups based on “catching up” gaps holding low expectations for students reducing the rigor of grade-level content

We prefer to use the term "guide" instead of teacher. ​ Learners are supervised by adults who serve as a support resource for them, rather than as traditional teachers. Guides are responsible for leading students in Socratic-style discussions and facilitating the time set aside for individual student learning. Guides do not answer student questions directly or act as an expert on a topic; instead, they ask students questions to help them explore and understand topics deeply and encourage students to utilize problem-solving skills. ​ Interested in being employed as a guide at Arrow Academy? Please contact us, as we would love to learn more about you!

We believe that each of us has a special calling in life, and a series of trials and tests that must be faced with integrity and purpose, in order to live a satisfying and fulfilled life. (Watch an animated explanation of Joseph Campbell's theory of the Hero's Journey below.) Our mission is to guide your child to find their calling and support them on their journey. This means that your child may experience challenges and struggles as they grow and find their passions. We are seeking families that are comfortable with failure on the path to success.

While we expose children to the importance of mindful spirituality and the historical role of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and other world religions to the development of Western Civilization, we do not promote any one religion. We believe that in order to be better citizens of the world our learners should have an understanding of multiple belief systems and worldviews. We celebrate the diverse range of belief systems of our enrolled families and enjoy incorporating traditions and educational opportunities into our days together. We are one of the only private secular schools in the western suburbs of Chicago.

Arrow Accelerated Academy relies entirely on tuition to operate our program. We do not supplement tuition revenue with additional required fundraising or mandatory donations, as many other private schools do. Families have the option to pay in full or pay monthly over 10 months. Families will also pay an annual Enrollment and Registration fee, which will cover technology and the majority of project supplies. Other small fees may come up for field trips, shirts, or extra materials that an individual learner requests for an independent project. Please note that Arrow Accelerated Academy's tuition may increase over time to help cover investments in the program and facilities, as well as ongoing annual increases in rent, salaries, and other expenses. ​ Please contact us for additional tuition policies and requirements. Family Discount ​​ We offer a graduated discount for sibling enrollments. First child pays 100% of tuition, second child pays 80% of tuition, third child pays 70% of tuition, fourth child pays 60% of tuition. More than four children? Let's talk! ​​ Paid in Full Discount ​ Receive a 3% discount when you pay your tuition in full by the beginning of the school year.

Yes! SPANISH: We've partnered with the Gartner Spanish School to offer immersion-based Spanish lessons once a week for all of our learners. This is included in tuition. YOGA: We've partnered with Kindness Kids Yoga to offer yoga and mindfulness to all of our learners biweekly. This is included in tuition. ART: We've partnered with Studio Nafisa to offer a weekly art class to our learners. A class is offered for younger learners, and another class is offered for older/more advanced artists. This class is optional and families pay an additional monthly fee. CODING & ROBOTICS: We've partnered with Techie Kids Club to offer weekly coding and robotics classes to our learners. A class is offered for our Spark learners, and another one for our Primary learners. This class is optional and families pay an additional monthly fee. INSIDE OUT CLUB: We've partnered with Inside Out Club of DuPage to offer monthly service-learning opportunities that include character education. This experience is included as part of tuition. We look forward to offering more opportunities in the future, based on learner interest.

Arrow Academy operates as a not-for-profit school registered with the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). ​ Arrow Academy is accredited by the International Association of Learner Driven Schools (IALDS).

A high school diploma earned at Arrow Accelerated Academy has the same validity as a diploma earned at any other public or private school in the state of Illinois. While our learners are working on mastery badges, we are able to provide graduates and transfers with a traditional and/or mastery transcript that includes a traditional GPA calculation. Our learners also build portfolio of work that can be used to enhance college and job applications.

Our program is not tailored exclusively to gifted learners, but gifted and exceptional students thrive in our environment. Our learning model offers a great deal of flexibility for pursuing individual areas of talent and passion. The self-paced, learner-driven nature of our approach is well suited for gifted learners.

Mastery learning is ensuring that a learner has a complete understanding of a concept before they move on. An incomplete understanding early on can have devastating results later, especially in math. Using the latest adaptive learning tools for core skills, our learners progress at their own pace as they master each concept, moving quickly through topics they grasp easily and spending more time on those they find challenging. Children who comprehend a concept quickly can move on or deepen their understanding by helping those who are struggling.

Your child will thrive at Arrow if they: are deeply curious about their world and willing to take the time to search for the answers to their questions can take an initial set of instructions or "call to action" and run with it are a problem solver (they can admit that they don't know something and figure out a solution when they hit a roadblock without immediately asking an adult for help) participate actively in discussions and enjoy friendly debate are willing to strive for mastery (they want to learn from their mistakes and try again) can handle having a great deal of freedom and choice in their daily routine enjoy being given important responsibilities are a gentle leader or desires to become one

No, we do not have a bus service for our learners, as our families come from varying distances in Naperville and the surrounding suburbs. Families are responsible for transporting their children to and from Arrow Accelerated Academy.

Arrow follows a modified school calendar that allows for multiple academic sessions with short breaks in between each, and a longer break during the summer, with the option to continue learning during the summer through our summer camp programs. This flexible schedule also allows families the opportunity to travel during the school year and devote time to what is important to their individual family life.

We are not trained to serve children with learning disabilities. We are happy to discuss whether or not our learning environment is a place where your learner can thrive.