In the pursuit of upholding the vision of the Founding Fathers, who crafted the Constitution, there lies a fundamental acknowledgment: the vitality of the Republic hinges on an educated and principled populace. FreedomProject Academy champions this ethos, aiming not to dictate what students should think, but rather to equip them with the tools to think critically. Established on Judeo-Christian principles, the online academy is committed to Classical education, providing a distinct departure from the prevalent moral relativism, anti-American sentiment, and secularism found in public schools.
At the heart of FPA’s philosophy lies the conviction that education should encompass a holistic approach, fostering a deep understanding of American Exceptionalism and the rich heritage of Western Culture. The curriculum, firmly rooted in the Classical tradition, delves into rigorous STEM subjects, accurate American History, and an exploration of the world’s Great Books. Through these avenues, the institution endeavors to nurture the next generation of patriot leaders.
The genesis of FPA can be traced to a pressing need for educational alternatives that prioritize individual learners over collectivist paradigms such as Common Core and Social Emotional Learning. In response to the shortcomings of public education, characterized by a rigid, one-size-fits-all approach, the Academy stands as a beacon of innovation. What distinguishes FPA is its interactive approach to learning, featuring live classes led by dedicated teachers who engage with students in real time, providing invaluable content and feedback.
Embracing Tradition, Embracing Technology
FPA champions a classical approach to education. The curriculum is meticulously crafted around the time-honored concept of the trivium, which emphasizes grammar, logic, and rhetoric. The grammar stage lays the groundwork with a focus on essential skills such as reading, arithmetic, and writing, spanning from Kindergarten through fourth grade. As students progress into the logic stage, spanning grades 5 through 8, they are guided to connect complex concepts to foundational facts, enabling them to make sense of information across various disciplines. Finally, the rhetoric stage, encompassing grades 9 through 12, equips students to engage with truth and beauty, empowering them to express themselves eloquently in both speech and writing.
While FPA remains rooted in classical methodologies, its approach to online learning leverages state-of-the-art technology. The virtual live classrooms epitomize the essence of traditional brick-and-mortar classrooms in an online setting. Through innovative technological tools, student participation is enriched, rendering virtual learning immediate, interactive, and as authentic as the traditional classroom experience. Within these virtual classrooms, a plethora of resources such as music, maps, graphs, images, videos, and timelines are seamlessly integrated, fostering a vibrant and immersive learning environment.
Empowering Minds, Enriching Futures
In addition to traditional phonics, language, and arithmetic programs in the early grades—which emphasize decoding, reading, spelling, and math facts—FPA’s curriculum in the later grades draws from the Western Canon of classical literature, unapologetic history, traditional math algorithms, the providential origins of empirical science, and core instruction in languages like Latin. Developed by FPA educators and curriculum experts in collaboration with experienced teachers who share the institution’s worldview, much of the curriculum is tailored to align with these principles. FPA proudly stands as a Common Core-free institution, providing parents with full accessibility, merit-based learning, and freedom from anti-educational paradigms such as Social Emotional Learning, radical sexual education, and spurious health and human development curricula.
At the elementary school level (grades Kindergarten through grade 5), FPA meticulously separates the components of language arts, placing a strong emphasis on phonics, decoding skills, advanced reading comprehension, and vocabulary expansion. Grammar and spelling receive dedicated attention, with a paramount focus on writing proficiency. Arithmetic skills, fact mastery, and fluency are cultivated to ensure students are well-prepared for higher-level math courses.
In grades 6 through 12, FPA offers a diverse array of courses designed to prepare students for both college and career pathways. Graduates of FPA emerge with a well-rounded education encompassing accurate and comprehensive history, advanced science, and high-level math classes. Additionally, students have the opportunity to delve into elective courses such as formal logic, advanced economics, physics, creative writing, marine biology, and astronomy, further enriching their educational journey.
Navigating Learning Paths
At the elementary level, students engage with five to seven different subjects while participating in two hours of live instruction per day from Monday through Thursday. They can anticipate approximately three hours of homework each day, mirroring the traditional school day. Fridays are designated for completing homework and school projects.
In the innovative grade 6 classes, FPA places a strong emphasis on foundational skills in math, reading, and writing. English and math classes convene four days per week, Monday through Thursday, with each class period lasting 50 minutes. Science and history classes complement the schedule, meeting twice a week for 50-minute sessions. On average, students can expect about 4 hours of homework per week for math and English, and about 3 hours per week for science and history.
For grades 7 through 12, a full-time course load comprises five classes: English, math, science, history, and one elective, each meeting twice a week for 50 minutes per class period. Parents have the flexibility to opt for math classes meeting four days per week for extended arithmetic exposure or additional support. The average homework commitment ranges from 3 to 5 hours per course per week.
For parents seeking an alternative to live classes, the Anytime Academy program offers recorded versions of live classes. Equivalent in curriculum and content, these recordings allow students to progress at their own pace. While homework and tests may be completed flexibly within a 10-month completion window, all work must be submitted within this timeframe for assessment by FPA advisors.
Empowering Learning Flexibility
Students at FPA have the flexibility to choose between live online classes and pre-recorded lessons, depending on their academic track. All K through 12 courses are offered live, synchronously, while most 6 through 12 courses are also available asynchronously, with pre-recorded lessons accessible for self-paced learning. In addition to the Anytime track, FPA offers a Homeschool track, empowering parents to access the Anytime class recordings and take charge of grading themselves. Homeschool track families have the freedom to complete the program at their own pace. Students have the option to blend Live, Anytime, or Homeschool courses in various combinations to cater to their individual educational needs.
FPA utilizes Canvas and Adobe Connect platforms to deliver instruction, monitor progress, and engage students while providing detailed and constructive feedback on homework submissions. Adobe Connect offers a range of interactive tools including polls, Q & A sessions, chat features, breakout rooms, screen sharing capabilities, and drawing tools, facilitating active participation during class sessions. Teachers also incorporate external websites like Nearpod, allowing real-time monitoring of student exercises. Within Canvas, files such as syllabi, sample papers, directions, and scoring rubrics are uploaded to guide students through their assignments, quizzes, and tests, providing clear expectations for both students and parents. Written feedback from teachers and assistant teachers helps students and parents identify areas of strength and areas for improvement.
Nurturing Faith, Fostering Integrity
At FPA, the Bible holds a central role in all aspects of learning. Teachers commence and conclude each class with prayer, weaving scripture into writing assignments, and delivering lectures from a Christian biblical worldview. This instructional ethos permeates across all disciplines and is particularly emphasized in the study of classical canonical literature and history.
Academic integrity, Christian virtue, and the cultivation of strong moral character form the bedrock of academic instruction at FPA. A mandatory tutorial on academic integrity is completed by all students and parents. Teachers diligently integrate academic content with scripture whenever feasible, while school policy maintains high standards of accountability, responsibility, and moral integrity among students. Failure to uphold these expectations carries significant consequences.
FPA’s Homeschool Community
The majority of FPA’s students are classified as “homeschooled” within their respective states. Parents typically enroll their children in FPA seeking a rigorous academic program rooted in Christian principles, free from the political and ideological pressures often encountered in public schools. FPA’s classical curriculum, grounded in the Trivium, encompasses the grammar, logic, and rhetoric phases of a child’s learning journey, prioritizing the development of critical thinking skills over rote memorization.
FPA’s commitment to a classical approach to learning is driven by the desire to help students realize their full potential. Teachers and assistant teachers collaborate with students of all backgrounds and abilities, fostering individual growth within the curriculum. Additionally, tutoring options are available for students who require extra support. Through initiatives such as the weekly “Teacher Talk” sessions, students have the opportunity to seek clarification, ask questions, and receive feedback on their work submissions, ensuring a supportive and enriching learning experience.
Empowering Learning Beyond the Classroom
FPA extends a helping hand to its students and families through various support initiatives. The Technology Support class equips them with the necessary tools and knowledge to navigate online learning, offering troubleshooting assistance and tutorials covering all platforms utilized by FPA. Additionally, the facilitated Study Hall class convenes weekly, providing students with a collaborative space to discuss homework, collaborate on projects, and seek guidance from FPA’s academic advisors.
Furthermore, parents are invited to join the FPA Parent-Teacher Collaborative Network, a private Facebook group fostering communication between parents and teachers. Within this network, they can seek advice, share resources, and find support on all matters related to FPA’s program, including courses, curriculum, textbooks, and general inquiries.
Recognizing the importance of technological literacy, FPA offers free technology support to alleviate any challenges students and parents may encounter when navigating new platforms. For those seeking additional assistance, individual and group tutoring sessions are available for purchase. Additionally, FPA provides phonics and reading support for students in grades K-3 at no additional cost to families.
In line with its commitment to comprehensive support, FPA also offers summer school classes aimed at both remediation and enrichment in phonics, reading, grammar, and math. Moreover, the institution strives to accommodate students with mental or social conditions such as depression, anxiety, OCD, ADD/ADHD, ensuring they receive the necessary support to succeed in the regular curriculum without compromising academic expectations.
Inspiring Futures
The primary objective of FPA is to expand its student enrollment, driven by a steadfast belief in the transformative power of a Classical, Christ-centered education that nurtures every child’s potential to the fullest. The institution is dedicated to ongoing exploration and enhancement, including the addition of new course offerings, the establishment of co-curricular clubs, continuous curriculum evaluation and refinement, and the expansion of adult enrichment programs. Moreover, FPA aims to develop bridge programs to effectively address the diverse needs of learners.
A central aspiration of the governing board is the establishment of FPA University, envisioned to offer post-secondary degree programs in education, philosophy, history, political science, and the humanities, among other disciplines.
Fulfilling the evolving needs of future generations of students remains paramount. FPA remains committed to upholding academic rigor, fostering accountability, nurturing character development, and instilling a sense of individual responsibility across all grade levels. In an educational landscape marked by the proliferation of divisive ideologies such as Critical Race Theory and age-inappropriate sexual education, FPA stands as a beacon of academic excellence and integrity. As public schools veer away from academic fundamentals, the demand for institutions like FreedomProject Academy, dedicated to preserving traditional values while delivering high-quality education, will only continue to grow.
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