Sunnyside Academy Micro School
Sunnyside Academy is a private micro school located within Peace of Mind. Established in 2021, Sunnyside is a close knit and highly individualized community of learners. We offer a 4:1 student teacher ratio and provide instruction focusing on academic growth, community engagement, character education and social emotional learning.
We value the belief that all children are deserving of a safe, structured environment where their needs can be met through multiple instructional modalities and where respect of the whole child is recognized, acknowledged and appreciated. With our micro school model we are able to meet each student where they are and from there create an individualized plan to foster personal annual growth.
The face of education has been and continues to change. Covid exasperated this in many ways. Students, teachers, parents and the entire educational system feel this strain. Micro schools are a progressive and expanding option for families nationally.
Within our micro school setting we strive to meet the needs of all learners so that your child will be meeting the same academic goals as their peers in public and in private schools. The personal setting of a micro school allows for specifically designed instruction with individualized curriculum to meet the learning needs and styles of each child across many academic and non-academic areas.
We value and desire a diverse group of learners. Having a small group setting enables educators to meet all the needs of every child through varied instructional modalities, learning strategies, supplemental support and extended practice of skills where there is individualized interest or a need for extra practice.
We prioritize academic and social emotional development, character education, play based learning, hands on experiences and community service and involvement. Our intent is to meet each student where they are, provide exceptional instruction with respect to multiple learning and instructional styles and to guide annual growth for all of our students .
The facet of our micro school program that separates Sunnyside Academy from other options is our incredible 4:1 student teacher ratio. Under this model, all students receive daily individualized instruction and their needs are regularly met. Our teachers are experienced, certified and trained educators. You will have the confidence of knowing your child is working with an expert in their field. If there are areas where additional expertise is needed, we provide this privately in individualized or small group formats and include this in the price of tuition.
Why Choose Sunnyside?
Individualized Work
Work is catered to each student and they move through at their own pace through individualized curriculum and instruction.
Our Middle/Upper level students also follow an online accredited curriculum. A course guide and graduation plan is created based on existing transcripts and students will continue to update transcript through this program. Grades are reported using a combination of scores from this program as well as day to day individualized and small group classwork aligned with Sunnyside's curriculum programming.
Community Service & Field Studies
We believe in the importance of character education, social emotional learning and engagement within our larger community.
All community service hours are tracked to add to college applications & other school/work opportunities
From trips to Congaree National Park as we studied Teddy Roosevelt & the start of the National Park System to a day at Riverbanks Zoo during our Animal Farm novel study, making learning meaningful and fun is a goal we have at Sunnyside Academy.
Novel Studies
A micro school setting allows an increase of opportunities to learn, discuss and grow within a small setting. At Sunnyside Academy we prioritize novel studies throughout the year with a minimum goal of 6 novels read each school year. Reading takes place collectively. Outside activities through art, play, community engagement, meals, historical studies and films all add to the in-depth study of our different novels.
Love of Nature
We know the benefits of being outdoors and of the lessons learned through hands on experiences in natures. We strive to be outside daily and utilize as many outdoor field studies, group games, botany, gardening, hiking and observational experiences in nature as we can.
Project Based Learning
Using project based learning to support instructional goals is a fantastic way for students to practice interpersonal skills while learning to work in a team or small group. In addition to the learning done at Sunnyside that is virtual and supplemental, ensuring there are elements of project based learning and presenting is an important part of our curriculum and instructional plans.
Guest Speakers & Teachers
It takes a village and we love to utilize and treasure those in our larger Sunnyside and Columbia community. Whether we have Science teachers bringing in a hands on lab experience or gardeners sharing their green thumbs or local artists or instructors teaching lessons in their areas of expertise, a micro school program offers the ability to participate in and to access a multitude of individuals able and willing to offer mini-classes across a wide variety of learning fields.
Comfort & Safety
One of the many advantages of a micro school is the small class size. Students are able to work in a comfortable setting where they are safe, where movement and discussion are encouraged and where they feel at home. Meeting these basic needs first allows for all students to have the highest changes of success.
Multi-age Instructional Opportunities
When instruction is individualized for each student, multi-age class make-up is not only possible, it allows students to learn together and from each other. At Sunnyside we have students enrolled from grades 3-12 and while there are independent work spaces and individualized age and ability appropriate instruction, there are also many benefits to the. multi-age community building opportunities that are able to exist under this. model.
Recreational Time
At Sunnyside Academy we believe that all too often, especially as students get older, some of the best parts of school are removed from educational programming.Regardless of your student's age, ability or academic level, being outside is part of our everyday curriculum. Whether it's a walk through the neighborhood, backyard games, gardening or caring for our. yard space, we recognize and prioritize the benefits of outdoor time.
Multiple Instructional Methods
Every child learns differently. Providing instruction through not only hands on but other mutli-sensory modalities of instruction. We prioritize the importance of learning through art, music, manipulatives, play, movement, research, technology, nature, peer groups, independent studies and ultimately always being willing to think outside the box in order to best meet each student's individual instructional needs.