Question 1

What is a micro-school?

Accepted Answer

Micro-schools reimagine conventional educational framework, and aim to equip children with the skills necessary for an ever-evolving future. We provide tailored education, specifically designed to meet each child's distinct abilities and requirements. Often likened to 'outsourced homeschooling,' micro-schools break free from the constraints of bureaucracy, standardized testing, and rigid curriculums prevalent in today's public schooling. With  small enrollments and student to teacher ratios, micro-schools prioritize individualized attention, ensuring students receive a level of personalized support rarely achievable within traditional educational settings.

Question 2

What is a one-room schoolhouse?

Accepted Answer

A one-room schoolhouse is a type of educational institution historically prevalent in rural areas, particularly in the United States, during the 19th and early 20th centuries. As the name suggests, it consists of a single room where students of various ages and grades are taught together. In a one-room schoolhouse, students receive instruction across various subjects simultaneously. This setup fosters a sense of community, cooperation, and shared learning experiences among students of different ages.

In a one-room schoolhouse environment, where students of different ages and grade levels are taught together, there's a natural opportunity for peer-to-peer learning and teaching. Here's how this dynamic typically unfolds:
Mixed-Age Classrooms: In a one-room schoolhouse, students of varying ages and abilities share the same learning space. Younger students have the opportunity to observe and learn from older peers, while older students can reinforce their knowledge by teaching younger ones.
Collaborative Learning: The mixed-age setting encourages collaboration among students. Older students often take on mentoring roles, helping younger classmates with academic tasks or explaining concepts they've already mastered. This collaborative learning fosters a sense of responsibility, empathy, and mutual support among students.
Informal Peer Tutoring: In the course of daily activities and lessons, students naturally assist each other. Whether it's helping a classmate with reading comprehension, explaining a math problem, or sharing knowledge about a particular topic, students engage in informal peer tutoring, reinforcing their own understanding while helping others learn.
Learning by Teaching: Research has shown that one of the most effective ways to solidify one's understanding of a topic is to teach it to others. In a one-room schoolhouse, students who help their peers are not only reinforcing their own knowledge but also developing valuable communication and leadership skills.
Sense of Community: Peer teaching and learning contribute to the strong sense of community that characterizes one-room schoolhouses. Students learn to rely on and support each other, fostering a collaborative and inclusive learning environment where everyone has a role to play in each other's education.
Overall, the informal peer teaching and learning that occur in one-room schoolhouses enrich the educational experience, promoting deeper understanding, social connections, and a sense of shared responsibility for learning.

Question 3

What are the hours of operation?

Accepted Answer

At Revolution Rock Academy, we start our day at 9am, typically in the garden before the heat of the day, and the school day ends at 3pm.

Question 4

Where is the school located?

Accepted Answer

Revolution Rock Academy is located about 7 miles south of Fredericksburg, TX on a homestead farm. To book a visit, please contact us.

Question 5

What grade levels does Revolution Rock Academy serve?

Accepted Answer

We serve children ages five to eleven (5 - 11), kindergarten through fifth grade.

Question 6

What curriculum do you use?

Accepted Answer

We embrace an emergent curriculum philosophy that centers around the child's interests and developmental needs. Drawing inspiration from a blend of educational philosophies including Waldorf, Reggio Emilia, Forest School, and unschooling, our approach is dynamic and adaptable to the ever-evolving interests and passions of our students. By eschewing a rigid standard curriculum, we empower children to explore, inquire, and create in ways that resonate with their individual learning styles and curiosities. This flexibility fosters a deep sense of intrinsic motivation and ownership over their learning journey, nurturing creativity, critical thinking, and a lifelong love for learning. Unlike traditional standardized curricula, our approach recognizes that true learning extends beyond memorization and test scores, emphasizing holistic development and authentic engagement with the world around them.

Question 7

Do you take field trips?

Accepted Answer

Yes! In addition to our weekly trip to the local library, we also go on many field trips throughout the school year. Some examples of field trips we've taken in the past are:
Gillespie County Food Pantry
Fredericksburg Post Office
Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park
Riverside Nature Center
The Coming King Sculpture and Prayer Garden
Natural Bridge Caverns
Jenschke Orchards
The Science Mill

Question 8

Is parent participation mandatory?

Accepted Answer

As parents/guardians of a student at Revolution Rock Academy, you'll find numerous opportunities to actively engage in your child's educational journey. Our school thrives on the generous support of our community members to fulfill our mission. The low student-to-teacher ratio and high-quality education we provide are sustained by the involvement of our families, which is vital to our school's growth and success. While we strongly encourage families to participate in building our community, we do not mandate parent volunteerism. We leave it to your discretion to determine the extent of your involvement based on your preferences and availability.

Question 9

Are your teachers certified?

Accepted Answer

We do not have strict certification requirements for our teaching staff. Instead, we prioritize experience and a sincere enthusiasm for alternative education approaches. While our lead teacher is certified, the rest of our teaching team boasts substantial training and hands-on experience. We firmly believe that a genuine passion for teaching and a commitment to student development are of utmost importance. We take pride in the diverse backgrounds and expertise that our educators contribute to our community.

Question 10

Are there both part-time and full-time options?

Accepted Answer

Revolution Rock Academy currently has two programs available: full-time (Monday through Friday) and our 1 day per week program, Freedom Fridays:
Full-time school is for learners in grades K-5 and is offered M-Th (+ Freedom Fridays) from 9-3pm.
Freedom Fridays are spent immersing our students in nature, using play-based learning games, and specials such as yoga, art, or field trips. Our entire student body is encouraged to join us on these days, and it is also offered as a standalone program for families who are interested in supplementing their programs with a one-day-a-week schedule.
Part-time options to supplement other learning paths will be considered on a case-by-case basis. If you are interested in less than full-time but more than one day per week, please contact Heather Tye at 512-585-5959.

Question 11

Do you accept students with special needs?

Accepted Answer

At this time, we do not offer formal services specifically tailored to support children with special needs. However, we naturally accommodate all students with small class sizes and personalized lessons. We firmly believe that all students learn at their own pace, and we recognize that sometimes, a different learning environment can be transformative for children labeled as special needs, enabling them to excel in ways they may not have in a traditional setting. With that said, we are not currently equipped to provide specialized support for students with cognitive disabilities, emotional challenges, or behavior issues that may result in violent or angry outbursts.

Our application process offers an opportunity for learners facing challenges in their current environment to experience a typical day at Revolution Rock Academy. It also allows for flexibility within our community and board to approve or decline applicants as deemed appropriate

Question 12

Do you verify the education received meets national standards?

Accepted Answer

Similar to homeschools and private schools, we are not required to participate in standardized testing. Though standardized testing is not a part of our methodology, we do ensure that our students meet and exceed national standards. We have implemented mechanisms to routinely assess and verify that our students are consistently achieving grade-level standards. Our approach includes what we term as 'oversight assessments,' discreet evaluations designed to gauge students' proficiency in various subjects. These assessments are seamlessly integrated into our curriculum, and students are often unaware that they are being evaluated. Through these assessments, we continuously monitor and track student progress, identifying areas of strength and areas where additional support may be needed.

We are proud to note that our students consistently demonstrate exceptional performance, frequently surpassing the benchmarks outlined by national standards such as the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). This achievement reflects not only the effectiveness of our instructional methods but also the dedication and commitment of our students to academic excellence. By maintaining a focus on rigorous academic standards and providing tailored support where necessary, we ensure that each student receives a high-quality education that prepares them for success in higher education and beyond.

Question 13

What documentation do you keep on individual students learning progress?

Accepted Answer

At Revolution Rock Academy, we keep records that your children are making sufficient academic progress. This varies by age-level, but generally it looks like maintaining a portfolio of student work and assessments that is provided to parents and guardians regularly. We also keep a copy of these records in our office. When a child leaves, we will provide you with a copy of all assessment records and progress reports, if requested.

Question 14

Do you offer scholarships?

Accepted Answer

Revolution Rock Academy is a non-profit that will help aid students when and where possible. At this time, we do not have a backlog of financial support available; however, we are happy to assists parents/guardians in applying for scholastic scholarships available for students in Texas.

Frequently Asked Questions