Lighthouse Learning is not a special needs school.

We are a microschool and homeschool hybrid designed to provide:

• Personalized, mastery-based learning

• Strong academic foundations

• Character development

• Supportive, family-centered environment

We serve a wide range of learners, but we are not equipped to provide intensive one-to-one therapeutic or highly specialized services throughout the school day.

We share this with care and transparency so families can confidently determine if Lighthouse Learning is the right fit for their child.

Lighthouse Learning is intentionally designed for students who can thrive in a group learning environment with standard classroom support.

While we serve a wide range of learners, our model is NOT designed to provide:

• Intensive one-to-one therapeutic support

• Highly individualized intervention throughout the entire school day

We believe honesty creates trust, and we share this with care so families can make a confident, informed decision.

Yes—gifted learners truly thrive at Lighthouse Learning.

Because we are not limited by traditional grade-level pacing, students are able to:

• Move ahead in areas of strength

• Engage in deeper, more meaningful learning

• Participate in project-based and real-world applications

• Explore leadership, creativity, and entrepreneurship

We believe gifted students should be challenged, inspired, and given the space to grow into their full potential.

We are intentionally designed to support students through:

• Small-group learning

• Hands-on experiences

• Strong teacher relationships

• Collaborative classroom culture

Every child is known, supported, and guided with purpose.

Our highest priority is to create a safe, supportive, and inspiring environment where students:

• Feel known and valued

• Grow academically and personally

• Build confidence and character

• Experience success

As part of our application process, we thoughtfully consider:

• Academic readiness through various assessments

• A student’s ability to engage successfully in a group setting and:

  • Ability to regulate behavior with typical classroom supports

  • Responsiveness to teacher guidance and redirection

  • Age-appropriate independence with toileting and self-care

  • Respectful, cooperative interactions with peers

  • Ability to participate safely in a group learning environment

In some cases, we may recommend a trial day visit to ensure the best possible fit for your child.

Students Who Thrive at Lighthouse Often Demonstrate:

• Working at or near grade level in core academic areas

• Ability to engage in independent work for sustained periods

• Comfort participating in small-group instruction

• Ability to follow multi-step directions

• Smooth transitions between activities with teacher guidance

Students Who Thrive in Enrichment Often Demonstrate:

Our enrichment program is designed to expose students to a wide range of experiences—including the arts, movement, science, leadership, and real-world learning.

Students who are a strong fit often show:

• Ability to transition between multiple classes and environments

• Openness to hands-on, creative, and movement-based learning

• Willingness to engage in and complete projects

• Positive sportsmanship and group participation

• Appreciation for music and musical instruments

• Ability to explore and apply grade-level science concepts through projects

• Interest in talent development, trades, entrepreneurship, and future careers

• Appreciation for art, creativity, and self-expression

• Willingness to participate in reading and math review aligned to their grade level

If a child is more than 2 grade levels behind, we want to be transparent that we are not currently equipped to provide the level of intensive support required for that need.

If your child is 1–2 years behind, Lighthouse Learning may still be a wonderful fit.

Through small groups, targeted instruction, and a strong focus on reading and math, we help students:

• Build confidence

• Close learning gaps

• Rediscover a love for learning

Yes—students with a 504 or IEP are welcome to apply and will be thoughtfully considered.

This is never a red flag. It simply helps us better understand how to support your child.

All students must be able to:

• Engage in our program

• Grow within our structure

• Embody our Lighthouse Learning character traits

Yes.

While we are not a special education program, our approach supports many learners with these needs through:

• Structured literacy

• Small group instruction

• Research-based phonics instruction using programs like University of Florida Literacy Institute (UFLI)

Yes. While we support attention and focus challenges, our model is built around a collaborative, small-group setting, so students need to be able to participate in a way that allows both themselves and their peers to be successful.

We partner closely with families to support growth in these areas, but this baseline helps ensure a positive and productive experience for all students.

We support students through:

• Movement and outdoor time

• Hands-on, engaging lessons

• Clear routines and structure

• Strong teacher relationships

At the same time, we want to be thoughtful and transparent about fit.

Students must be able to:

• Demonstrate growing independence with work habits

• Engage in learning tasks with teacher support

• Follow classroom expectations and routines

and avoid behaviors that significantly disrupt the learning environment for others

At Lighthouse Learning, students are known as individuals—not numbers. We prioritize social-emotional learning, relationship-building, and intentional community. Academically, students are grouped by ability rather than grade level in reading, writing, and math at the elementary level. In middle school, students receive targeted instruction based on their current skill level, ensuring they are challenged appropriately and supported where needed.

Our mastery-based, self-paced approach means students move forward when they demonstrate understanding—not simply because time has passed. We begin with a pre-assessment process to determine each child’s starting point and use ongoing progress monitoring throughout the year.

Families receive:

• Growth and progress reports

• Standardized assessment results (used for PEP Scholarship documentation)

• Ongoing communication about academic progress

While we are not a test-driven school, we do use data intentionally to guide instruction, support growth, and clearly communicate results with families. Our goal is simple: meet students where they are and help them grow with confidence.

We believe strong communication builds trust and partnership. Families can expect consistent updates through our Playground App and email:

• Sundays: Week at a Glance shared in the Playground App

• Wednesdays:

  • Teacher emails

  • At-home learning focus guides

  • Student celebrations and schoolwide MVP recognitions (families welcome to attend!)

• Fridays: Weekly Family Email from our director, Mrs. Oliver

The Playground App serves as our central communication hub, offering:

• Daily and weekly announcements

• Schoolwide updates

• A direct messaging feature for parent–staff communication

Lighthouse Learning blends the best of all worlds:

• A strong focus on life skills and character development

• A culture centered around families, students, and positive learning experiences

• Mastery-based learning instead of grade-level pacing

• Flexible enrollment options

• Smaller student-to-teacher ratios than in public schools

• A more accessible cost structure compared to traditional private schools

Yes. All Lighthouse Learning teachers are certified and background checked, and selected for their experience, professionalism, and heart for students.

Students who thrive here are often:

• Curious and creative

• Multi-passionate learners

• Kind, respectful, and community-minded

• Hands-on and movement-oriented

• Motivated by growth and feelings of mastery

Family support is key. Our most successful students:

• Have parents who partner with the school

• Are goal-oriented or learning to become so

• Enjoy working toward progress at their own pace

Families pay the following out of pocket:

• First month of tuition

• Curriculum fee

• Application fee

• Enrollment fee

We accept FES-UA and PEP Scholarships, which are applied to the remaining balance.

Important funding details:

• Lighthouse Learning bills monthly, one month in advance

• Step Up provides funding quarterly, which does not align with our billing cycle

• Any portion not covered by the scholarship is divided across the remaining months of the school year

Key dates:

• Step Up reservation due: 15th of each month

• Remaining parent balance due: 23rd of each month

If Step Up funding is temporarily unavailable, families pay the full invoice and seek reimbursement directly through Step Up once funds are released.

Yes—homework is part of our academic accountability system.

• Homework is assigned on Wednesdays for Academic Students (K–5 & Middle School)

• Assigned work is due the following Monday

• Homework supports reinforcement of skills, responsibility, and independent learning

Students who attend our Academic Track (Monday-Wednesday) are provided with purposeful, intentional extentions to be completed at home as homework. These assignments will be due on the following Monday. If a child who attends our Academic Track is also enrolled in our STREAM Enrichment Track, he/she will be provided a block of time on Thursdays and Fridays to complete assignments with guided support.

Arrival is at 8:30 AM. Class begins coming inside from outdoors at 8:55 AM. Dismissal is at 3:00 PM. Students must be picked up no later than 3:15 PM. We also offer morning and afternoon Extended Day.