Today we are celebrating our 50th episode!!

What better way to ring in this milestone, than with Travis and Crystal from the Online School of Arizona (OSA). OSA is a fully online, tuition free charter school for students in grades 9-12. OSA knows that no two students are alike. At OSA, you are not just a number. The staff at OSA embraces the fact that every student is unique, and learns at their own pace. They know that every student has a past, a story, and a bright future ahead of them.

Check out this episode to learn more about OSA and everything that they offer!

Episode Highlights:

• All about OSA
• Online Learning
• Learning Centers 
• Breaking stigmas of Online Schooling

More on Guest: 

• https://www.onlineschoolofarizona.com/eng

More on Love Your School/Links Mentioned in Episode:

• [email protected]
• @LoveYourSchoolAZ
• www.loveyourschool.org

At Heritage Academy, students have the opportunity to dual enroll and earn an Associates degree while completing their high school requirements.

Today we are talking with faculty, current students, and alumni from the Heritage Academy- Gateway Campus. Heritage Academy is known as a public charter school of excellence, where scholars and parents love the opportunities available for learning and growth! 

Heritage Academy Gateway serves grades 6-12. Check out this episode to learn more!

Episode Highlights:

• Earning an Associates degree in High School 
• All about Heritage Academy 
• Tuition Free Public Charter School option

More on Guest: 

• https://hagateway.com/

More on Love Your School/Links Mentioned in Episode:

• [email protected]
• @LoveYourSchoolAZ
• www.loveyourschool.org

Today we are chatting with Kurtis Indorf, Executive Director of Great Hearts Online, and Heidi Vasiloff, Headmaster at Great Hearts Online. Great Hearts Online is a virtual public charter school that offers a tuition-free, rigorous, classical liberal arts curriculum including advanced math and science, robust arts, and foreign languages. Great Hearts Online is currently serving over 500 Texas students in grades K-6. Starting Fall 2021, Great Hearts Online will serve K – 8 students in Arizona and Texas. Check out this Episode to learn more about Great Hearts and what they have to offer! 

Episode Highlights:

• Online Education
• Family Involvement
• Classical Education
• Pursuit of Truth, Goodness, and Beauty 

More on Guest: 

• Check out Great Hearts Online Here!
• Want to learn more? Join the  Interest List!
• Texas & Arizona Residents: Apply Now! 

More on Love Your School/Links Mentioned in Episode:

• [email protected]
• @LoveYourSchoolAZ
• www.loveyourschool.org

Today we had the pleasure to chat with Joe Connor, the cofounder of Schoolhouse. SchoolHouse takes the work out of providing your child with the best education in a unique, personalized way. They enable parents to partner up with families in their community to form a microschool with a group of similar-aged kids and match you with the best and brightest educator in your area. SchoolHouse provides all the tools necessary to ensure that your child(ren) receives an enriching, educational experience, with greater flexibility and more personalized attention than traditional schools may offer - all in a safe and inspiring home learning environment. Check out this episode to learn more about the valuable resources Schoolhouse has to offer your family in your area! 

Episode Highlights:

• Microschools
• School Choice
• Learning Pods

More on Guest: 

• getschoolhouse.com

More on Love Your School/Links Mentioned in Episode:

• [email protected]
• @LoveYourSchoolAZ
• www.loveyourschool.org

Today we are with Kathy Britton, Director of Operations and Admissions at PS Academy. PS Academy is a K-12 private school for students with autism and other exceptionalities, located in Gilbert, Arizona. At PS Academy, they  believe all students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD’s) should have the opportunity to flourish. Their mission is to enrich the lives of their students both academically and socially. They focus on long term goals for a higher quality of life. PS Academy offers a safe and inclusive environment that empowers students to learn, be responsible, communicate effectively and thrive in their homes and communities. Check out this episode to learn more! 

Episode Highlights:

• All about PS Academy
• Private school for students with autism 
• Safe and Inclusive Educational Environment
• School Choice

More on Guest: 

• Learn more about PS Academy at https://psacademyarizona.com/

More on Love Your School/Links Mentioned in Episode:

• [email protected]
• @LoveYourSchoolAZ
• www.loveyourschool.org

Today we are talking with Will Dunman, Director of the new American Leadership Academy (ALA)- West Foothills Campus. The ALA experience includes outstanding academics, a wide variety of extracurricular activities, state-level competitive athletics, and direct leadership instruction and practice - all in a moral and wholesome environment that families can feel good about. At the American Leadership Academy their goal is to R.A.I.S.E (respect, accountability, integrity, service, and excellence) future leaders! Check out this episode to learn more about ALA, their new campus, and what you can expect from their incredible schools. 

Episode Highlights:

• Partnership between parents and schools
• Academics & moral 
• New campus in the West Valley!
• Teaching students to be leaders

More on Guest: 

• Learn more about ALA at https://www.alaschools.org/

More on Love Your School/Links Mentioned in Episode:

• [email protected]
• @LoveYourSchoolAZ
• www.loveyourschool.org

Do you ever feel like you’re wearing too many hats as a parent? Like you want to do it all, but feel like it’s a little too much? Today we are talking with Jessi Dall, the founder of Advantage Tutoring. Advantage tutoring provides academic support for traditionally schooled students both in their office and in your home. They strive to partner students with tutors based upon personalities, learning/teaching styles, subject expertise, and schedules. Advantage tutoring is not based upon a predetermined program, but rather on the individual needs of your student. In the past, some people have held negative stigmas about tutoring, but today we discuss how tutoring should be nothing but a positive experience for your family. It’s important to show students that it is okay to ask for help when they need it! Check out this episode to learn more about Advantage Tutoring and the services they provide. 

Episode Highlights:

• Supplementing instruction with tutoring
• Negative Stigmas about tutoring
• Homework help, Homeschool Assistance, and Test Prep
• Benchmark assessments
• Summer School Camps

More on Guest: 

• Check out Advantage Tutoring at https://www.advantagetutoringaz.com/
• Email them at [email protected]
• IG: @advantagetutoringaz

More on Love Your School/Links Mentioned in Episode:

• [email protected]
• @LoveYourSchoolAZ
• www.loveyourschool.org

In this episode we are talking with Mrs. Jamie Haines, Principal of Gowan Science Academy,  and Mrs. Osbourne, the Reading Specialist. Gowan Academy provides a challenging inquiry-based Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) curriculum to maximize individual potential and ensure students thrive in a global community. Gowan Science Academy is another recipient of the A for Arizona Expansion and Innovation Fund Grant. The financial support they received from this grant has allowed them to add an outdoor learning classroom/hub to provide students with opportunities to be creative and learn outdoors. What better time to incorporate an opportunity for fresh air than during a global pandemic?! Listen to this episode to learn more about this outdoor learning hub and all of it’s benefits!

Episode Highlights:

• Research supporting outdoor learning
• Outdoor classroom/learning hub engaging students, increasing attendance, and decreasing behavioral issues 
• A for Arizona Expansion and Innovation Grant 
• Authentic engagement vs. compliance

More on Guest: 

• Check out the Gowan Science Academy at https://www.gowanscience.craneschools.org/
• Learn more about A for Arizona at https://www.aforarizona.org/

More on Love Your School/Links Mentioned in Episode:

• [email protected]
• @LoveYourSchoolAZ
• www.loveyourschool.org

Today we are continuing to highlight small learning communities that have received the A for Arizona Expansion and Innovation Grant. I was so excited to sit down and chat with Superintendent Hayes from Patagonia Public Schools! Patagonia Schools have recently started offering  STEM Learning Pods as an afterschool program to help students engage in hands-on learning and activities.  Thanks to A for Arizona, they were able to offer this opportunity for free making it more accessible to all students. Superintendent Hayes expresses how applying for the grant is more simple than you would think, and how the students are getting way more out if it than he had to put in to receive it. If you have thought about applying, this is your sign to go for it! Listen to this episode to learn more.

Episode Highlights:

• Free STEM Learning Pods
• A for Arizona Expansion and Innovation Grant
• Flexibility with learning during COVID

More on Guest: 

• Check out Patagonia Public Schools at http://www.patagonia.k12.az.us/
• Learn more about the A for Arizona Expansion and Innovation Grant at https://www.aforarizona.org/expansion-innovation-fund

More on Love Your School/Links Mentioned in Episode:

• [email protected]
• @LoveYourSchoolAZ
• www.loveyourschool.org

In this episode we are talking with Dr. Amy Cislak, principal of Tanque Verde High School. Tanque Verde High School prepares students to be competitive and successful in a changing world, providing superior resources and instruction to maximize academic achievement.  Devoted, highly-qualified teachers prepare students with personalized learning, Advanced Placement (AP) and dual enrollment courses, and the integration of school-to-work and career opportunities. Check out this episode to learn more about Tanque Verde High School and their incredible and inspiring student - focused approach. Listen as we discuss the A for Arizona Expansion and Innovation Fund grant for Small Learning Communities. 

Episode Highlights:

• Small Learning Community Grants through A for Arizona
• Serving small groups of students during the pandemic
• Relearning social-emotional skills after remote learning
• Making Learning Fun and meaningful- not grade based only

More on Guest: 

• Learn more at https://www.tanqueverdeschools.org/

More on Love Your School/Links Mentioned in Episode:

• [email protected]
• @LoveYourSchoolAZ
• www.loveyourschool.org