Instilling a love of learning is critical to the Hope Academy philosophy.  Our administrators and teachers know and appreciate each student as an individual.  We purposefully find ways to enjoy the process of learning, incorporating movement, conversation, and laughter throughout the school day.  We carefully provide a nurturing environment in which children learn for understanding rather than for test-taking.  We emphasize the goal of fluency instead of focusing on a grade.  Our faculty takes the time to develop strategies that emphasize each child’s individual skills and natural aptitudes.

Working together, Hope Academy’s families, faculty, and administration create a supportive and stimulating educational environment for each child.  Open classrooms allow families to share in the learning process.  An open-door administrative philosophy promotes family involvement and input. As an independent nondenominational school, Hope Academy puts people ahead of policies. Within established guidelines and procedures, we seek creative strategies.   As administrators and teachers, we strive to model respectful, cooperative problem-solving.   Respectful debate and discussion are encouraged at Hope Academy, enabling students to appreciate different approaches and viewpoints.  Hands-on learning and theme-based projects promote creativity and independence.

The South Carolina Curriculum Standards serve as our baseline for learning.  However, we do not restrict teaching to those prescribed units.  Classroom curriculum is not dictated by standardized testing.  Teachers have the freedom to share their own expertise and experiences.  Additionally, we encourage each student to identify, cultivate, and share areas of personal interest and application.  This philosophy permits frequent inclusion of guest speakers, field trips, and enrichment activities.  Recognizing that the ability to communicate skillfully shapes lives, we provide multiple opportunities for students to develop fluency in writing and speaking.  Small classes enable every child to present information to a group, fostering comfort levels in public speaking from a very early age.  

We embrace character development as a core subject, routinely taking the time to monitor choices of voice, words, and actions.   Administrators and teachers model appropriate character skills through their daily interactions and weekly assemblies.  Role-play, group discussion, and one-on-one counseling facilitate awareness of the connection between thoughts, actions, and consequences.  Our goal is to assist children in developing a moral compass and self-control.

Be sure to check out our monthly video newsletters and calendar of events to get more detail. If you need additional information see our contact us page.