How is Evergreen different?
Evergreen is part of a network of schools called Acton Academy. The Acton method of education is fundamentally different from traditional schools. No bells ring, and there are no lectures. Students are in control of their own learning.
Learner-driven, self-paced learning;
real-world projects and apprenticeships;
multi-age/grade classes; student self-governance, exploration and assessment of skill levels; learning styles, aptitudes, personality traits, and interest; No homework. No teaching to the test;
GUIDES rather than teachers;
SOCRATIC DISCUSSIONS rather than lectures;
MASTERY LEARNING BADGES and student PORTFOLIOS of achievements rather than grades; EXHIBITIONS OF LEARNING rather than tests.
Do the children spend much time exploring outside?
Yes! We believe there is so much to be learned from exploring and playing in the natural world. There are flexible work times that allow for use of our outdoor classroom, students get one hour of lunch & free time each day, regularly go on walks and tend to our vegetable garden, bees, and chickens.
What grades do you offer?
We currently offer Kindergarten through 10th grade and are adding a grade level per year through 12th grade.
What do you mean by a Hero's journey?
We believe that each of us has a special calling in life where a deep passion meets a burning need in the world, and a series of trials and tests that must be faced with integrity and purpose, in order to live a satisfying and fulfilled life. Our mission is to prepare your child for his or her special journey.
Are you accredited?
Yes, we are dually accredited through Cognia and the International Association of Learner Driven Schools and have received their highest distinction of IALDS Gold.
What is a learner-driven classroom?
At Evergreen Academy, the students help run the studio (classroom) by agreeing together what their rules are for behavior and treatment of one another. These are called their “Studio Contract” and “Rules of Engagement”. In the elementary studio especially, they are provided with appropriate guidance throughout this process. These rules and covenants are prominently displayed in the studio and revisited. Often, these are revised by the students as they work through challenges and discover better ways of interacting with one another.
Students also budget their time and choose their areas of focus for the day and adjust these based on their performance. We believe strongly that students achieve more when they have control of their learning. This autonomy increases love of learning and improved academics.
How much is tuition?
Tuition prices are listed on our 'Apply' page
Why a learner-driven classroom?
At Evergreen we believe in learning to be and learning to do! An important part of this is encouraging kids to take responsibility for their own behavior and hold those around them to a high standard. When something isn’t working, we want our students to work together to solve the problem, not look for an adult to solve it for them. This creates a sense of independence and confidence that will serve them well in all areas of life.
Is Evergreen a Montessori school?
We believe a good education is based on continuous improvement. Evergreen incorporates best practices from many methods of education based on research and experimentation. We respect and incorporate Maria Montessori’s philosophy, but we are not a Montessori school. We have applied the best of Montessori methods: mixed-age classrooms, student-directed meaningful work, large blocks of work time, learning through “discovery,” and freedom of movement in the classroom. We believe it is possible to surpass this method by adding the following components: project-based learning, the Socratic Method of discussion and the latest in educational game-based software. Our Spark Studio (ages 5-7) incorporates Montessori and uses minimal technology. We introduce technology starting at age seven in our bridge program that transitions them into the Discovery studio and beyond.
Are children grouped into grades?
Children are grouped into multi-age studios. Spark (ages 5-7), Discovery (ages 7-11), Middle School (ages 11-13), and Launchpad (High School). We believe that children learn best when working with children younger and older than themselves rather than split up into groups based solely on age. This minimizes negative peer comparisons and encourages celebration of strengths and opportunities for growth both individually and as a contributor in the school community. In addition to individualized curriculum, all ages of students work together in groups. This experience also better prepares them for future jobs where they will work with people of various ages and stages.
What is your academic calendar and daily schedule?
We offer a full-time, five-day-a-week program which runs from mid August to the end of May. Kindergarteners have the option of a Mon-Thursday or Mon-Friday schedule. Daily school hours are 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. We operate in 6-7 week "sessions" with one week breaks in between sessions. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas/Holiday break, we have a mini three week session and then a two week holiday break. Our flexible program allows families to travel together during the year, without sacrificing any learning. Take a peek at our academic calendar under our Events tab on the website.
What do you mean by "Every child can change the world"?
"To find a calling is to find the intersection between our own deep gladness and the world's deep hunger." ~ Frederick Buechner
We believe each of our students has the capacity to find a passion — something they love and have a gift to do. They will use this gift to serve others and fulfill a need they are passionate about in the world. We do not have one definition of success, but rather help students develop the skills to thrive at living and cultivate the tools, strong character, and desire to make a positive impact in the world.
Where is Evergreen currently located, and when will you move to your new location?
Evergreen Academy is temporarily located at First Baptist Church in Norman. We will be moving to our new building in the Selah Community in mid-fall 2024. Initially, we will be based in Selah's Equestrian Center for approximately three years while we work on building our permanent location in the community.
What are the benefits of moving to the Selah Community?
The Selah Community offers a unique and enriching environment for our learners, with access to nature, walking trails, and various animals, including alpacas, peacocks, and horses. The community will also feature a working farm, grocery store, and other businesses, which will provide valuable opportunities for student apprenticeships, starting in middle school. The beautiful architecture and buildings in Selah further enhance our learning environment. To learn more about the Selah community, visit their website.
Do learners graduate with a high school diploma?
Yes! While our ways of measuring learning are innovative and unconventional, learners receive a traditional high school diploma when they graduate and Acton graduates around the world are getting into world-class colleges or starting their own successful businesses. One of the aspects of our middle and high school programs that sets us apart are apprenticeships and a series of Next Great Adventure projects that help them define their calling and plans so they can launch into their next great adventure with a clear purpose and plan after high school!
Are you approved to accept the Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax-Credit?
Yes! Book a call with us to learn more about how you can get between $5000-7500 through this amazing tax credit program through the state tax comission.
Have you won any awards or grants?
Yes! We were honored to receive the Yass Prize for Education Freedom Award; one of only eight schools in the state awarded for innovative education. This came with a $200,000 grant. We have also been awarded grants through VELA, WholeKids Foundation, Mastery Transcript Consortium, Lettuce Grow, Thunder Kids Reading Program, STEM grant, and The Bee Project. We believe that grants and community partnerships make for a strong and vibrant learning community.
What do you mean by a "Running Partner" and "Squads"?
Running Partners and Squads are classmates who meet together regularly to set goals and hold each other accountable for meeting those goals. Running Partners encourage and inspire each other by asking good questions, listening and providing affirmation.
How do you utilize technology at Evergreen?
We seek first and foremost to learn in community and through hands-on learning. Starting around age seven, some core skills learning takes place with high quality online programs that equip students to better engage in the amazing project-based learning that happens at Evergreen.
Our Kindergarten and first graders have minimal technology in the classroom. Individualized learning goals are regularly established and tracked with squads and guides. A student-created Internet Use Policy ensures technology tools are used appropriately. Cell phones must be kept on silent in bags and not used during school. If you have questions on the subject of meaningful tech use at Evergreen, please reach out!
Why do you ask parents to read a book as part of the application process?
We ask that parents read "Courage to Grow" by Laura Sandefer as part of our application process. This relatively short 3.5-hour read (or listen) is crucial because joining an Acton learner-driven school is a completely different experience than the traditional education you may have known. It involves a lot of unlearning and re-learning to understand the "why" behind what makes this school model so transformative, not only for your child but for your entire family. We have found that parents who read the book are fully bought in and enjoy their journey with Evergreen Academy all the more.
A kindle version of this book can be purchased on Amazon for .99, or we are happy to gift you a copy when you come on a tour of the school after your Discovery Call.
Does Evergreen serve special needs children?
We are not trained or equipped to serve children with serious learning disabilities, but have been able to serve children with dyslexia if they receive special training outside of school in addition to our program. Every child is different and we seek to take each learners' needs on a case-by-case basis in determining whether we can serve them at that time. We have been able to serve some learners with ASD but often find the choice-based learning model and peer accountability can be stressful on them. Evergreen's flexible approach to learning is a great fit for many kids who need something different than the traditional school environment. Students who have trouble sitting still through a standard school day often flourish in our classroom, which provides space for breaks, comfortable and flexible seating, and room for individual self-regulation.
How does Evergreen ensure a high-quality learning environment?
Deep at the core of Evergreen Academy is our commitment to serving those students and families in our community and receiving transparent feedback. Because of this, we ask families to participate in regular Customer Satisfaction Surveys, where we ask them to rate us 1-5 on how well we accomplished our promises. We then share the results with the community. These surveys are our most important metric to measure the success of the learning community.