Does the school have any religious or ideological affiliation or provide any religious instruction?

No.

How can I know that this high school will be better for my child than another public or private high school?

What matters most about any school is what happens in the classroom, which is where students spend the majority of their time. The building, school grounds, technology, and all other visible features of a school are of little consequence if the school is not completely dedicated to making classroom time meaningful, interesting, and educational for students.

Please visit our school and speak to our teachers and students. Compare our educational approach--that is, our plan for what happens everyday in every classroom--with the approach of your child's public high school or other private schools, if these schools have an integrated, coherent plan for making everyday and every class mean something to your child. Also, think about your own experience in school and think about how much more valuable your classroom time would have been had your school been build around a project- and problem-based curriculum. You have likely experienced the shortcomings of traditional schools yourself.

In sum, you can have confidence that this school is dedicated to every student's success in a way that larger schools cannot be, and will provide an effective education in a way traditional public and private high schools cannot.

Which grade levels are open for admission?

Grades 9, 10, and 11.

How small is the school?

We have approximately 30 students in four grades.

What are the class sizes?

There are no more than 12 students in a classroom. We currently average 5 students per class.

How long is the academic year?

The academic calendar is the same as the Loudoun County Public Schools' calendar.

How long is the school day?

The school day is from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Our extended academic day lasts until 4:30 p.m. for students whose work is not current. The school is open for students and parents from 8 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

What extracurricular activities and athletic programs will be available?

This is a school that is committed to having students learn by doing, so extracurricular activities are a critical part of the academic program. School remains open after academic coursework ends to give students a place to continue work with teachers and with peers. Students and parents will participate in deciding which extracurricular activities are available.

As for an athletic program, we encourage physical activity and fitness during and after the school day, including two off-campus PE trips each week (indoor rock climbing, soccer, ultimate frisbee, bicycling, weight training, etc.). However, given the small size of the school, and the lack of space for athletic activities on campus, the school does not field competitive teams. This may change as the school grows and builds relationships with other independent schools.

Is this a school for "Gifted and Talented" students?

Yes. This is a school where exceptional students will be active, challenged, and engaged. Students with good grades and good test scores coming in will find the academic work demanding. Successful students will face a curriculum that requires their best efforts, sustained focus, and original, critical thinking.

Is the school accredited?

School accreditation typically occurs once a school has been in operation for 5-10 years, so we have not undergone an accreditation review. Not being accredited does not mean that a school's diploma is not recognized or that a graduating student will not be able to attend the undergraduate institution of their choice. There are many Virginia private schools that the Virginia Council for Private Education lists as non-accredited (click here for the list). Colleges and universities accept homeschooled students and graduates from non-accredited secondary schools as they would graduates from accredited public and private secondary schools, but it is possible some schools may treat homeschooled students and graduates from non-accredited secondary schools differently.

In Virginia, not having a state-recognized accreditation means that a public school is not required to recognize all of the credits completed at a private school if a student transfers from the private school to a public school. However, public schools are encouraged to recognize all of the credits, subject to the following provisions:

Nothing in these standards shall prohibit a public school from accepting standard units of credit toward graduation awarded to students who transfer from all other schools when the courses for which the student receives credit generally match the description of or can be substituted for courses for which the receiving school gives standard credit, and the school from which the child transfers certifies that the courses for which credit is given meet the requirements of 8 VAC 20-131-110 A.

How are classrooms set up?

Classrooms are arranged like conference rooms with a large table in the room around which the teacher and students will be seated to encourage discussion and the exchange of ideas. There is an interactive whiteboard or flat-panel screen in each room to facilitate instruction, to project student work, and to search for additional information resources from the Internet, including academic databases.