Collaborative, University-Model® Education
Overview of University-Model® Education
We believe that education ultimately falls under the jurisdiction of parents—not the state, not the church, and not the school itself. Deuteronomy 6, among other passages, specifically commissions parents with the task of rearing and teaching their children.
The role of the school is subordinate to mothers and fathers. The school only partners with, or assists, parents in their great task of educating their children. Cathedral Oak Academy has chosen a model of education that allows parents to retain ownership of their children’s education while still allowing them to reap the benefits of corporate education.
Collaborative, University-Model® education (also called “blended model” or “hybrid”) combines aspects of a traditional school and a homeschool into one unique model. This third way provides families with particular advantages:
● The University-Model® is a five-day academic program with students spending 3 days in the central classroom and 2 days in their “satellite classroom” at home. Both classrooms are under the supervision of the professional educator.
● Parents share responsibility for instruction with the professional, on-campus teacher who provides classroom instruction and take-home assignments. Parents do not need prior teaching experience.
● The school makes core curriculum choices, but families can supplement as often and as much as desired.
● Education is both individualized and classroom oriented. Students receive the benefits of one-on-one tutoring at home and classroom learning on-campus.
● University-Model® Schools are able to provide an academically rigorous school at a lower cost than most private schools.
● University-Model® schools provide students with a smooth transition to college. Because of the unusual schedule, students learn time management and personal responsibility.
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Full details are covered in our co-teacher/parent training before the first week of school, but the following is a general overview.
Monday | On-Campus Day
Each on-campus day includes teaching in Math, Science, Language Arts, History, Foreign Language and Fine Arts.
Tuesday | On-Campus Day
Wednesday | Satellite Day
Students work at home on assignments provided by the on-campus teacher.
Co-teachers/parents assist with assignments as needed.
Thursday | On-Campus Day
Friday | Satellite Day
Assignments provided by the on-campus teacher.
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We offer grades TK-12th grade. Children must be 5 by December 31st for Transitional Kindergarten and 5 years old by August 31st for Kindergarten.
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At Cathedral Oak Academy, students will wear a uniform during each on-campus day. Research has shown that this helps to minimize distractions, peer pressure, and socioeconomic distinctions.
Families are responsible for purchasing their own uniforms. Details on our specific uniform policy are available below.
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As a school, Cathedral Oak Academy will have a strict no cell-phone/personal device policy for all non-driving students. We want to give kids the gift of time away from the constant distraction and attention-seeking pull of screens.
We want to teach a generation of kids to be engaged, reflective, and present in the moment. The rhythm of rest from our devices and developing a habit of presence plays an important part in molding our kids’ desires. Devices may be kept in cars for students who are driving.
The Gift of Time
The collaborative, University-Model® schedule reintegrates parents into the spiritual and educational formation of their own children. This model permits students to assume responsibility, prepares them for the college environment, and gives parents additional time with their children in the most formative years. The following chart illustrates the academic benefit of gradually preparing students for direct entrance into college versus an approach that requires significant adjustments.
On the left side of this diagram is the number of hours each week students are in a classroom guided by a professional teacher.
On the bottom, from left to right, are the ages of students up to 18, the typical age for high school graduation.
The upper portion of this diagram is the additional amount of time the University-Model®, in contrast to the traditional model, gives back to parents.
According to information gathered by pollster George Barna, the most critical period when 94% of all boys and girls come to a saving faith in Christ is before the age of 18, and 90% before the age of 14. Only 6% will make the decision to accept Christ between the age of 18 and their death. Since parents are the most influential factor in this decision, it is vital that models of education exist that keep parents involved with their children during the early, critical years of a child’s education.
Accreditation & Academic Results
Cathedral Oak Academy will have dual membership with UMSI (University-Model® Schools International) and ACCS (Association of Classical Christian Schools), and aims to be accredited through AdvancEd and ACCS.
Students at UMSI and ACCS member schools score above all other types of schools—public, religious, and even independent. Independent schools are typically college preparatory school that charge an average of $20,000 per year.