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SOLE Academy


Imagine a school that allows you to reach beyond classroom walls to explore learning in a novel and purposeful manner – while having fun and making long lasting friendships!  SOLE Academy SM is a fully accredited Experiential Learning Center that utilizes a hybrid model to prepare students for the 21st century.

 

Overview:


SOLE Academy SM is a 21st century Experiential Learning Center which offers college preparatory coursework for youth and young adults.  SOLE Academy SM was created to address agrowing demand for intentional non-traditional education.  Established through a proven partnership between Selkirk Outdoor Leadership & Education (SOLE), and AdvancEd accredited partner, TBD  consists of two Experiential Learning Center locations in Atlanta, Georgia and North Idaho.advanced

At these Experiential Learning Centers coursework is offered through our unique hybrid model blending online distance learning and outdoor experiential fieldwork. This purposeful approach allows students to experience a rich and rigorous curriculum that allows them to learn academic content at their own pace, address personal and social development needs, and explore our natural world in a real and meaningful manner.

Due to our intentional program design and approach SOLE Academy SM is the ideal learning environment for youth and young adults in homeschool settings, those which struggle with traditional academic settings, those with the desire to learn at their own pace, those in need of credit recovery, or simply parents and/or students looking for a personal and intentional approach to education that blends and extends learning beyond traditional classroom walls.

Specifically, SOLE Academy SM is a 21st century Experiential Learning Center that:SOLE-JE-Faculty-Student-225x300

  • Offers fully accredited coursework through AdvanceED – the nations leading accreditation body.
  • Utilizes a hybrid model consisting of distance learning underpinned by experiential fieldwork.
  • Offers single subject & interdisciplinary traditional and non-traditional academic curricula.
  • Offers relevant experiences that address place-based objective and learning targets.
  • Addresses individualized and group educational needs.
  • Utilizes a project-learning framework for specific course offerings
  • Addresses Common Core, State, and Next Generation Science Standards
  • Addresses non-traditional goals and objectives (i.e., character and leadership development).
  • Establishing a sense of belonging and relevance for our communities and their environments.
  • Establishing a sense of community and environmental stewardship.

SOLE Academy SM Learning Targets:


Typical learning targets of SOLE AcademySM relate to:

  • Experiential education
  • Outdoor education
  • Outdoor leadership
  • Place-based education
  • Human and natural history
  • Outdoor science
  • Environmental education and studies
  • Service-learning
  • Project-based learning
  • Developing a sense of belonging
  • Environmental awareness & stewardship
  • Conservation & wildland management issues
  • Personal and social development
  • Executive functioning development
  • Critical-thinking & problem-solving
  • Communication & conflict resolution
  • Setting & accomplishing goals
  • Awareness & ownership
  • Responsibility & accountability

SOLE Academy SM Student Profile:


Typical students include individuals in homeschool, traditional, or residential settings that:

  • Exhibit the need for an individualized education plan
  • Exhibit an interest in being self-directed in their education process
  • Exhibit an interest for an interactive educational experience
  • Exhibit the need for personal and social development
  • Exhibit the need for credit recovery
  • Exhibit an interest in experiential or outdoor education
  • Exhibit interest in learning about systems which exist in the natural world
  • Exhibit interest in learning about local and regional inhabitants and cultures
  • Exhibit interest in learning about local conservation issues and needs
  • Exhibit interest in making a difference for their community

Our typical profile students also generally have the ability and desire to process and connect through an experiential learning framework, exhibit individual creativity and personal motivation.

Program Design:


True to the rest of our programs, SOLE Academy SM is grounded on our 4 Care Philosophy SM , providing a sound foundation to build personal character and extend learning beyond traditional academic subjects.  Our students are immersed in an intimate culture where they become an accountable member of the school community, as well as the larger urban and environmental community where they travel and learn.  Class and expedition sizes are kept small (6 students to 1 instructor; 12 students maximum), to ensure that students have the individual attention to learn and advance new academic and outdoor skills.

Students begin each year with an Immersion Learning Expedition SM. During this multi-day backcountry experiences students begin to develop leadership and outdoor skills, explore academic coursework, and developing new relationships or reconnect with old friends.  Each Immersion Learning Expedition SM includes our tailor-made outdoor leadership curriculum – a yearly requirement for each SOLE Academy SM student.  Students learn and practically apply leadership skills on a daily basis while traveling in the backcountry or when in camp.

Academic coursework begins in our Experiential Learning Centers.  There students work directly with certified and trained instructors, proctors, and tutors (as needed) to complete online or hybrid academic coursework.  Due to the unique design of SOLE Academy SM, online lessons are blended with experiential education theories and methods whenever possible.  Each Friday students participate in a required Fieldwork Experience SM to further extend their learning.

At the end of the school year, students participate in a Capstone Learning Expedition SM.  During this multi-day backcountry expedition students continue to further develop their outdoor and leadership skills while working with their peers on service-learning projects as way to develop community and environmental stewardship.  Generalization and transference is further targeted through active processing circles and their Leadership Action Plan (LAP).

It should be noted, all day-based and multi-day learning expeditions are where students continue to develop and refine newly found academic and leadership skills. These evidence-based approaches underpin our authentic learning expeditions where students truly go out to explore > achieve > lead!

Click on the tab selections below for more information on SOLE Academy SM.

Don’t see what you need? Contact us for more information!

SOLE Academy SM School Calendar

 

First Semester       
Aug. 4-7

Aug. 10 – 16

Aug. 14

Aug.  21

Aug.  28

Teacher Pre-Planning

Immersion Learning Expedition

Fieldwork Experience

Fieldwork Experience

Fieldwork Experience

Sept.  4

Sept.  7

Sept. 11

Sept. 18

Fieldwork Experience

Labor Day (SOLE Academy Closed)

Fieldwork Experience

Fieldwork Experience

Oct.  2

Oct.  9

Oct.  12

Oct.  16

Oct.  23

Oct.  30

Fieldwork Experience

Teacher Workday (students off)

Teacher/Student Holiday (SOLE Academy Closed)

Fieldwork Experience

Fieldwork Experience

Fieldwork Experience

Nov.  6

Nov.  13

Nov.  20

Nov.  23-27

Fieldwork Experience

Fieldwork Experience

Fieldwork Experience

Thanksgiving Holiday (SOLE Academy Closed)

Dec.  4

Dec.  11

Dec.  18

Dec. 21 – Jan. 1

Fieldwork Experience

Fieldwork Experience

Last Day of First Semester

Winter Break  (SOLE Academy Closed)

Second Semester              
Jan.  4

Jan.  5

Jan.  6

Jan.  8

Jan.  18

Teacher Workday (students off)

Professional Development Day (students off)

First Day of Second Semester

Fieldwork Experience

Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday (SOLE Academy Closed)

Feb.  5

Feb.  12

Feb.  15 *

Feb.  19

Feb.  26

Fieldwork Experience

Professional Development Day (students off)President’s Day Holiday (SOLE Academy Closed)

Fieldwork Experience

Fieldwork Experience

March 4

March 10

March 11*

March 18

March 25

Fieldwork Experience

Teacher Workday (students off)

Professional Development Day (students off)

Fieldwork Experience

Fieldwork Experience

April 1

April 4-8

April 11

April 15

April 22

April 29

Fieldwork Experience

Spring Break (SOLE Academy Closed)

School In Session

Fieldwork Experience

Fieldwork Experience

Fieldwork Experience

May 6

May 13 – 20

May 23

May 24 – 27 *

Fieldwork Experience

Capstone Learning Expedition

Last Day of School

Teacher Post Work Days

* Designated as inclement weather make-up days (if needed)

Please note:  All dates are tentative due to potential unforeseen / uncontrollable circumstances (i.e., inclement weather etc.).

SOLE Academy SM Course Offerings


Middle School Classes – Grades 6-8 
Reading / Language Arts
Math
Science
Social Studies
Art, Music and Health

Languages 
English
French
German
Spanish
Italian

High School Classes – Grades 9-12  (choose up to 6 courses)

Language Arts
English I
English II
English III (American Literature)
English IV (British Literature)

Math
Algebra I
Geometry
Algebra II
(Trigonometry)Pre-Calculus
Math Models

Science
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Earth & Space Science
Integrated Physics & Chemistry
Physical Science

Social Studies
U.S. History to 1850
U.S. History 1850 – Present
U.S. Government
World History
Civics
Geography

Electives 
Economics
Music
Digital Photography
Beginning PowerPoint
Physical Education (Outdoor Education) +
Health
Personal Finance
Art History*
Psychology*
Media Studies*
Outdoor Leadership* +
Personal Fitness*
Renewable Energy*
Space Exploration*
Sociology*
Marine Biology*
Health & Medicine*
Paleontology*
Public Speaking*

*Limited seats available.  Please check with the office for availability

AP Courses  (one time fee)
*Advanced (AP) Government
*Advanced (AP) Microeconomics
*Advanced (AP) Macroeconomics
*(AP) Biology
*(AP) Calculus

 

University courses also available upon request!  Contact us for more information.

 

SOLE Academy SM Graduation Requirements


Students must successfully complete the minimum credits and course requirements prescribed by SOLE / AIOA.  Students must demonstrate mastery of all subjects as defined by the SOLE / AIOA grading policy, as well as the following graduation requirements.  The following are the minimum course requirements for graduation from SOLE Academy SM:

  • 2   units of Foreign Language
  • 4   units of Language Arts
  • 3   units of Science
  • 4   units of Mathematics
  • 3   units of Social Studies (American History & American Govt. required)
  • 1   unit of Physical Education/Health
  • 1   units of computer instruction
  • 7   units of electives

25 Total Credits to graduate

SOLE Academy SM Tuition & Fee Schedule


Show below is the SOLE Academy SM Tuition & Fee Schedule.  We offer two options based on actual attendance at our Experiential Learning Centers (i.e., Partial or Full Time).

For either option, an initial non-refundable enrollment fee of $250 is required upon completion of your registration.  This fee includes an initial assessment of your child’s documentation and development of his / her education plan.  If you child requires special services above and beyond the norm additional fees may be required to develop a more thorough and specific education plan to ensure that their needs are met.  This process could include academic testing, and tutors that have specific skills sets to address your child’s individualized needs.

Please note, this initial process does not guarantee enrollment into SOLE Academy SM . While we make every effort to work with everyone, some individuals require services that we simply can not provide.  If this does occur our team of professionals will assist you in developing a plan which includes recommendations for appropriate next steps.

Upon enrollment, a deposit equal to $725 – $1200 is due on or before February 26 (or immediately upon enrollment if afterwards); the first payment of $2900 – $4800 is due on or before July 1 (or immediately upon enrollment if afterwards); and the second payment of $2900 – $4800 is due on or before November 1 (or immediately upon enrollment if afterwards). The deposit and first payment are to be made the before the actual year of enrollment.

It should be noted, all payments will be pro-rated if a student is enrolled after the beginning of the school year, and if their education plan does not require some of the services below.  All SOLE terms & conditions apply on the website and contract.

Monthly payments / accounting is available and subject to a Processing Fee equal to 5% per month in addition to other fees. Enrollment Fee and Deposit are required with a monthly payment plan as well.

SOLE Academy Fee Schedule

Expense Amount
Non-Refundable Enrollment Fee +/* $250
Tuition +/* $10,800 ($1200 x 9 months) or $6525 ($725 x 9)
Fieldwork Fee +/* $1260 ($140 x 9 months)
Expedition Fee +/* $1600 ($800 7 day expedition x 2)
Outdoor Gear & Equipment Fee +/^/* $1200 (one time fee, unless gear is damaged or lost)
Technology Fee +/^/* $800 (one time fee, unless technology is damaged or lost)
Special Services Assessment / Consultation Fee * $50 – $100 / hour

+ Required            ^ One time fee           * As needed

Partial scholarship for those who qualify.  Contact us for details.  Al scholarships are based on available funds and eligibility.

 

  1. Click button below and complete the registration form.
  2. Submit your $250 non-refundable enrollment fee when redirected to our eCommerce page.
  3. Collect your child’s documentation.
  4. Submit documentation and SOLE Academy SM contract to our Admissions Team.
  5. Set up a call time for your follow-up consultation.

SOLE Academy SM Frequently Asked Questions


Absolutely!  Simply put, parents interested in homeschooling their children are looking for alternative methods of educating their child.  This can be a barrier for those parents who still need to work.  Additionally, SOLE Academy provides personal and social development curriculum, often not as prevalent in a homeschool setting.  This holistic approach coupled with evidence-based methods, and their very own individualized education plan ensures that your child receives the education that they need and deserve.AdvancED was created through a 2006 merger of the PreK-12 divisions of the North Central Association (NCA) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)—and expanded through the addition of the Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC) in 2011.

AdvancED is the largest community of education professionals in the world. They are a non-profit, non-partisan organization that conducts rigorous, on-site external reviews of PreK-12 schools and school systems to ensure that all learners realize their full potential. While our expertise is grounded in more than a hundred years of work in school accreditation, AdvancED is far from a typical accrediting agency, their goal is their continued commitment to help schools improve.

Absolutely!  The coursework provided at SOLE Academy SM is an opportunity for a student to retake a course in which he/she previously was not academically successful in earning credit towards graduation.  This is a great option because our Learning Center model is designed on a structured, yet flexible schedule, allowing students to learn at their own pace.Absolutely!  SOLE Academy SM offers a well rounded curriculum for students to complete their high school diploma.  Because our Learning Center curriculum is AdvancED accredited parents can rest assured that credits will transfer to future secondary or post-secondary institutions.Absolutely!  The team of professionals at SOLE Academy SM u)understand that each individuals has specific education goals.  As such, SOLE’s team of education professionals work in tandem with AIOA to ensure that your child’s academic and personal development needs are addressed.  Our team of professionals possess advance degrees in education and experiential education.  With over 100 years of combined experience you can ensure that these professionals are well-equipped to support your child’s educational track.   Contact us for additional details.SOLE Academy SM posses a team of education professionals with advance degrees and extensive experience in the education field.  This includes working with students with individualized needs, including but not limited to, Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), Emotional and Behavior Disorder (EBD), and other diagnoses.  Upon enrollment our team will go through your child’s paperwork with you to ensure how to best serve your child’s needs.  In the event that we are unable to serve your child’s needs we will offer a free consultation to ensure that you have the necessary resources to make an appropriate next step.Yep!  SOLE Academy SM offers AP and dual university credit.  This means that students can take a course from a college / university that AIOA affiliates with and we will accept those credits towards a high school diploma.  This also fosters the perfect environment for students to jump start earning their college degree as the credits are GT (Guaranteed Transfer).  AP courses may require some additional needs as well.  Contact us for details.Yes!  Your tuition and fees paid go towards the purchasing the necessary technology and outdoor gear to participate in SOLE Academy SM.  We recommend that parents purchase insurance or ensure that their current insurance covers these resources.