MIDDLE + HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM
SECONDARY STUDIO
WORK HARD.
HAVE FUN.
CHANGE THE WORLD.
TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR LEARNING.
ENGAGE DEEPLY
Work on solving real-world problems. Learn to calculate, write and think more deeply.
BELONG
Develop a positive self-identity surrounded by friends who will support you.
MAKE CHOICES
Have the freedom to explore what you want to learn (and how you want to learn it).
FIND A CALLING
Explore your gifts, passions and purpose. Learn who you are so you can change the world.
SCHOOL, AS WE KNOW IT, WAS DESIGNED IN 1893.
A LOT HAS CHANGED SINCE THEN.
WHY ARE YOU STILL LEARNING LIKE IT'S 1893 IN 2022?
21st CENTURY LEARNING IS HAPPENING HERE.
At Arrow Academy, we're preparing our learners to equipped for life in the 21st century. We focus on skill development rather than information regurgitation. Learning to learn, not just memorizing facts long enough to pass a test.
We believe you need to learn important skills like: critical thinking, resolving conflict, problem solving, and project management to name a few.
We are in a fast-paced technologically driven society where things change fast. Because of our smaller size and school design, we are able to keep up to those changes!
WE HAVE “STUDIOS” AND “GUIDES!”
Some of the terminology we use is a little different than at other schools.
We don't have teachers at Arrow Academy. Instead, we have guides. The term "guide" reflects what we believe adults in our learning environment should do - guide, coach, and reflect, but never direct, lecture, or command. The students themselves are in charge of their learning. You set your own goals and pursue your own personalized learning plan, working at your own pace and with the tools that work best for you.
We refer to our classrooms as "studios" because these are spaces that allow for inspiration and exploration, much like an artist's studio or inventor's workshop. Our Middle School Studio is a place where you can freely move around and make choices about how and where you want to learn. You aren't stuck in a desk for hours each day. Want to write your paper while sitting outside? Prefer to read a book while stretched out on the floor? You have the freedom to do that here!
This video created by the learners at Acton Academy in Austin does a fantastic job of explaining the role of guides in the learning process at an Acton Academy.
AND DID WE MENTION, THERE'S NO HOMEWORK, NO TESTS, OR REPORT CARDS?!
How is that possible?
We believe that the time dedicated to learning during school hours, the tools we use, and the way we implement those tools are powerful and effective enough that our learners don’t need to go home and spend hours continuing to practice. Your time after school and on the weekends belongs to you and what is most important to you.
We don’t have report cards. Our learners earn badges to show that they’ve mastered the material. Earning a badge is the equivalent of earning 100% or an A+ in a subject. Additionally, our learners are demonstrating what they know through public exhibitions of their work. At the end of each of our learning sessions, our learners invite their families and the community to see and evaluate the work they’ve done during that session.
OUR CALENDAR IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT TOO.
Our school year is organized into seven sessions (“sprints”), with each sprint lasting five to six weeks. During each sessions, learners undertake a Quest: a series of challenges, connected by a narrative, leading up to an exhibition of the completed work. The Quests are project-based in nature. Each sprint also focuses on a specific character trait, which is tied into the Quests and daily Socratic discussions.
We use a “modified” school-year calendar. We have more frequent breaks throughout the year as well as a shorter summer. We love this calendar! It’s great not having a big learning gap in the summer — and we don’t count down days until the next break because they happen so frequently. Due to the way our independent learning program is set up, it is okay if your family wants to spend time away for vacations or important events. You can still continue your learning on the road!
See what a typical week of learning at Arrow Academy looks like.
WE ARE TRULY LEARNER-DRIVEN.
What does that mean?
Everyone in our program has a significant role to play here. Each learner and guide has a responsibility to be a contributing member, committing to the process of supporting each other in their learning goals.
Our learners “audit” each other’s work, dive into deep learning and also deep conversations that sometimes might be tough. We value the messiness that comes with making mistakes or not getting something quite right — we view mistakes more like experiments that lead us to necessary corrections and improvements.
Our learners, through the democratic process, suggest changes to the system if they feel those are warranted, work in groups to dig into tricky problems, and learn how to support each other even when that feels hard. Over time, we see growth in their character, grit, and ability to persevere.
The learners here enjoy independent learning, are autonomous, show a willingness to collaborate and problem solve, and want to take on responsibility.
ARE YOU WILLING TO TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR EDUCATION, WORK HARD, AND CHALLENGE YOURSELF?
If you believe Arrow Accelerated Academy is the right school for you, complete the interest form below. When you complete the form, Arrow Accelerated Academy will contact you and your parent or guardian to discuss joining our Secondary Studio.
