Is the Academy for Early Learning recognized as an official school in Ohio?
Yes, the Academy has been chartered as a nonpublic school by the Ohio Department of Education. This means that we meet the same operating standards that every school in Ohio, public, nonpublic, or community, must meet in order to provide “official” education to Ohio students.
What does being “chartered” mean?
Having been “chartered” by the Ohio Department of Education means that we have met all state requirements for operating a school in Ohio. If your child would change to another private or public school, he/she would continue at that school at the same grade level. “Chartered” means that our school will meet all minimum requirements of education in the State of Ohio. Academy for Early Learning however, is committed no only to meeting these requirements, but exceeding them. Please note: In Ohio, the word “chartered” is used to describe the licensure or certification of a school. A “charter” school, or alternative public school, in Ohio is called a COMMUNITY School. Academy is not a community school.
Does Academy for Early Learning have certified Ohio teachers?
Yes, all teachers employed by the Academy are required to have an Ohio teaching certificate, as this is part of the requirement to be a chartered by the Ohio Department of Education.
Is Academy for Early Learning an accredited school?
Yes, Academy is proud to be a member of the Ohio Association of Independent Schools (www.oais.org). We are also in the process of applying for membership in the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS). This is the accrediting body of the National Association of Independence Schools. For more information about the accreditation process, please see the ISACS website (www.isacs.org).
What is an integrated curriculum?
An integrated curriculum relates learning new information to real-life experiences in a way that naturally makes sense! Learning through an integrated curriculum gives each learner the opportunity to discover, use and create new knowledge that relates to their own life experiences. Studies show that students learn and retain knowledge at a much high level when all the subject areas coincide. Our units of study will be built around exciting, high interest themes. Students will actively take part in thematic studies lasting anywhere from 2-10 weeks (lengths of studies varies with the age of the students). During this time, all areas of the curriculum will be centered on the same interest, making it inevitable that students will make connections from one curricula area to another, building a foundation of knowledge that will remain and can be built upon over time.
What are multi-age classrooms and how are they important to Academy for Early Learning?
Multi-age classrooms are very common. It’s how you work to meet the needs of the children within this multi-age classroom that is the key to success! Most classrooms, even in a traditional school setting, are multi-level. Students within the same classroom most generally are at various levels of ability, have a varying knowledge base and have differing past experiences. However, in a traditional setting, instructors mainly teach to the middle of this core group, teaching what a child of a particular age should learn. In a true multi-age classroom like those at the Academy, the various learning rates, styles, and abilities are expected and encouraged. A multi-age classroom is a classroom in which students can work at their own pace and level to more easily accommodate the learning needs for all students. |
