Holistic Learning
Our philosophy
At Kipe Academy, we teach the whole child—intellectually, emotionally, socially, and physically. We create a supportive, multi-age learning environment where students grow at their own pace and in their own way. Instruction is based on each student’s ability and interests—not just grade level—so that every learner is challenged appropriately and feels confident in their journey. Our intentionally designed curriculum promotes creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking while nurturing a growth mindset and a love for learning.
Skills Time
Students work on personalized reading and math goals based on their current skill level—not their age or grade. Instruction is grounded in the Science of Reading and research-based math practices, ensuring a strong foundation for all learners. Students are grouped by skill, allowing for targeted support and meaningful progress. As students master one level, they advance to the next at their own pace, building both confidence and competence.
Mind and Body
Mind & Body is a daily practice at Kipe Academy where students learn to understand and regulate their emotions, build healthy relationships, and strengthen their self-awareness. Through guided lessons and reflective activities, students explore character development, calming strategies, body awareness, goal setting, and emotional vocabulary. This time fosters a strong classroom community while also encouraging students to grow as compassionate, confident individuals who contribute positively to their local and global communities.
Content Time
Students dive into interdisciplinary units inspired by their interests. These 6-week projects weave together science, social studies, writing, math, and technology in engaging, hands-on ways. Students might watch videos, read high-interest texts, research, experiment, explore outdoor spaces, or create meaningful projects. During this time, students are grouped with similarly aged peers to encourage age-appropriate collaboration and discussion while still personalizing the learning experience based on each student’s readiness and curiosity.
Create Time
Students explore music and art through the lens of their current Hot Topic unit. Each session introduces techniques, tools, and creative strategies that students can use to express their understanding of the theme. Whether they’re composing rhythms, experimenting with color, or building collaborative pieces, students learn to connect academic concepts with artistic expression—developing both their creative voice and appreciation for the arts.
Recess
Recess at Kipe Academy is a blend of indoor and outdoor play that supports creativity, movement, and social development. Students enjoy a mix of free play with traditional recess equipment, outdoor time, gym activities, and indoor STEAM-based dramatic play experiences. While there are no formal lessons during recess, each space is intentionally designed to spark curiosity, build friendships, and encourage joyful exploration through play.
Exploration Time
Exploration Time is a dedicated time at the end of each day for students to follow their passions and explore new interests. Whether working independently or collaborating with peers, students enter a creative flow to build, design, tinker, and express themselves. They might create art, compose music, invent something new, code a game, make digital art, or practice a hobby they’re curious about. This open-ended block nurtures innovation, problem solving, and joyful learning through student-led exploration.
Progress Reports
At Kipe Academy, we believe growth looks different for every child. Instead of traditional letter grades, we use a progress monitoring tool that tracks skill development and learning habits over time. This allows students to move at their own pace while celebrating meaningful progress. Families receive a detailed progress report every nine weeks and are invited to attend conferences to discuss their child’s growth and goals. We also encourage families to join us for Gallery Night each quarter to view student work and reflect on their learning journey together.
