Eco STEM Academy

When people hear “micro-school,” they often think all micro-schools are the same. They’re not.

What makes EcoSTEM Academy different from many homeschool hybrids and micro-schools is that it’s built around individualized instruction, not just small class sizes.

Many micro-schools:

* Put multiple grades together but teach largely the same lesson.
* Use online curriculum for much of the day.
* Function more like a learning pod or homeschool co-op.
* Have teachers who facilitate learning rather than directly instruct.
* Focus primarily on flexibility and small enrollment.

EcoSTEM Academy:

✅ Teacher-led instruction throughout the day

✅ Individualized academic planning based on where each child actually performs

✅ Hands-on STEM integrated into the curriculum, not just a weekly enrichment class

✅ Nature-based and environmental learning woven throughout the year

✅ Support for diverse learners, including gifted students, ADHD, dyslexia, ASD, ELLs, and traditional learners

✅ Very small enrollment where every child is known personally

✅ Direct access to the founder and lead teacher rather than layers of administration

✅ Full-day academic program (9:00–2:00) rather than a drop-off enrichment model

The boutique difference

A boutique micro-school is similar to the difference between a boutique hotel and a large hotel chain.

Parents aren’t paying for a gym, cafeteria, football stadium, or administration building.

They’re paying for:

* Personal attention
* Relationships
* Flexibility
* Customization
* Expertise
* Small class sizes

The biggest plus at EcoSTEM isn’t that it’s smaller.

It’s that a child can walk into EcoSTEM at a first-grade reading level and third-grade math level, and receive instruction at both levels without being forced into a one-size-fits-all classroom.

That’s the value proposition most larger schools—even many private schools—struggle to provide. At EcoSTEM Academy we do just that !

Exactly one week ago, we wrapped up the 2025–2026 school year at EcoSTEM Academy. Our students celebrated with a beautiful graduation and awards ceremony, recognizing their hard work, growth, and accomplishments throughout the year.

I feel incredibly blessed to have been their teacher this year and even more excited to continue this journey with them next year. I am also thrilled to share that EcoSTEM Academy is officially full for the upcoming school year! We currently have a growing waitlist, and we hope to continue expanding so we can serve even more children and families in the future.

This journey of building EcoSTEM Academy has been one of the greatest blessings of my life. Thank you to our amazing students, supportive families, and dedicated co-teachers who make our school community so special.

Wishing everyone a wonderful, restful, and adventure-filled summer. Thank you for being part of our EcoSTEM family.

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At EcoSTEM Academy, learning is always hands-on and full of creativity. Today we celebrated Star Wars Day with a STEM lesson focused on mixtures, solutions, chemical changes, and the effects of heat. Our students mixed dry ingredients, observed how they changed into a liquid batter, and then watched a chemical and physical transformation take place as heat turned the mixture into solid Star Wars-themed pancakes. From measuring ingredients to observing texture and state changes, students experienced real-world science in a fun and memorable way. Hands-on activities like this help children strengthen critical thinking, observation skills, problem-solving, measurement, and scientific reasoning while making learning exciting and meaningful. May the Force be with you!

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Today at EcoSTEM Academy, we combined SEL and language arts with My Mouth Is a Volcano!. The students made volcanoes while learning how emotions can build up inside of us just like pressure in a volcano. We discussed healthy ways to handle big feelings instead of “erupting,” such as taking deep breaths, using kind words, and expressing emotions calmly. In language arts, we focused on listening, speaking, comprehension, and making personal connections to the story. Morning SEL lessons like this help children feel emotionally safe, improve communication skills, and prepare them for a successful day of learning.

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Our EcoSTEM Academy students have been working incredibly hard on their creative art and design projects! From designing their own miniature rooms with tiny furniture and details, to creating whimsical fairies out of recycled egg cartons and other reusable materials, the children have combined imagination, engineering, storytelling, and environmental awareness all into one hands-on experience. Projects like these are so beneficial for children because they strengthen fine motor skills, problem-solving, creativity, spatial awareness, and critical thinking. Designing miniature spaces also introduces children to concepts connected to architecture, engineering, interior design, and artistic planning, while recycled-material art encourages environmental stewardship and innovation. This type of imaginative mixed-media art is inspired by artists and makers who use recycled and found objects to create meaningful works of art, showing children that creativity can transform everyday materials into something beautiful and purposeful. At EcoSTEM Academy, we believe hands-on learning helps children build confidence, think independently, and develop a lifelong love for creativity and learning. 🌿✨