Author: Director

Excitement at All Things New

Sophia Academy welcomed new students and new teachers to a new school year. All students and faculty were welcomed by newly re-waxed floors, new walls, new classes, new routines, and new equipment. We are looking forward to two new microscopes purchased with our Act 195/90 funds, new field trips, and new books.

New this year: all Sophia teachers were trained in the Trauma Informed Classroom as well as an 8-hour Brain coaching course by NeuroLogic (Lakeside Learning). We come into this year understanding the brain better. We have more tools to help our students move into their optimal learning state.

Also new this year: every Sophia student read Treasure Island and is now enjoying two weeks of pirate lore and exploration.

Job Opening: Teacher Needed to Provide Interventions

Students with learning differences do not improve their skills with accommodations. Modifications do not give them the education they deserve. So Sophia Academy provides targeted interventions instead to ensure that our students are growing in skill, in cognitive development, and in ability.

We are looking for the right person to provide interventions ranging from reading and math to executive function. Who is the right person? You are, if you get excited about awakening genius in students who have struggled for years. You are, if you have a college degree. You are, if you are a Christian believer.

Sophia Academy will provide training and professional development in our specialized curriculum. Learn more here.

When sharing screens, the student can manipulate tiles to read and spell, write on the teacher’s whiteboard, and progress through levels in reading intervention
Using multiple senses to learn math

Winning Student Essay, Winning Teacher

Sophomore Jose Ramos nominated his English teacher for a Phillies “All-Star Teacher Award” in an essay about how the teacher goes above and beyond to meet the needs of his students. Jose’s essay was chosen as a winner! Both he and his teacher were to be honored at the May 6 Phillies game, but because of rain, they will now be honored at the August 20 doubleheader.

City to Farm

Our last field trip of the year was to Dr. Gail’s (our school psychologist) farm in rural New Jersey. From identifying varieties of fruit trees to steering clear of poison ivy, feeding the chickens to cautiously approaching the sheep, playing soccer to making homemade pizza, the day was a sample of farm life that most students had never seen.

Field Trips to Finish Well

Sophia Academy’s school year is hurtling to a close. As we continue to delve into history and science, math and literature, we also take time to learn outside the classroom. This spring, our field trips included an art-based trip to the Schuylkill River and its hiking trails, a science trip to Eastern University’s planetarium and observatory, and a hands-on trip to a New Jersey egg farm where we helped care for animals and made home-made pizza.

Looking for material for a natural sculpture a la Andy Goldsworthy
Building a natural sculpture
Learning to control the telescope from the computer
Dr. Bradstreet, Astronomy professor, explains how the telescope follows the sun

Authentic, Hands-on

What is “authentic, hands-on” education? Education that prepares students with skills they can use in the adult world of 2022 and beyond. As part of Sophia Academy’s mission to awaken genius in students with language-based learning differences, we are always seeking to find ways to give our students practice with the same skills they might use as an adult.

We were fortunate to receive an award for the school as part of the Excellence in Teaching Award given to Mr. Brockman. With that award, we purchased curricula and equipment to enable students to learn design and development skills as they use tinkerCAD. Our new 3D printer has students quite excited!

Congratulations!

Our very own Mr. Brockman was selected for an “Excellence in Teaching” award this month. He and the school will both receive cash to use for educational needs. Sophia plans to purchase Design curriculum and a 3D printer to increase our ability to develop real-world skills.

  • Peter Brockman
  • Mr. Brockman keeps our technology humming
  • Building a Trebuchet for math
  • Launching rockets in Earth and Space class

Mr. Brockman will be recognized at a special award ceremony by Franklin Mint FCU in April. We celebrate with him and are honored to have him on our stellar faculty.

J-Term a Hotbed of Activity

Creating shields and crowns, trees, and costumes

J-Term 2022 at Sophia Academy focused on writing, producing, and acting in plays and videos. After studying myths and legends of the world, one class turned a classroom into a car repair and body shop as they brought the legend of John Henry to life. The other class started from scratch, writing their own script, then creating the props, costumes, and set, and finally producing a play for invited guests. Real-world skills learned ranged from sewing to video-editing.

Standing up for the little guy

Science: Lab-driven, Hands-on

When we say that Sophia Academy’s science classes are lab-driven, we mean a number of things: we mean that we choose curriculum that prioritizes discovery and experimentation over reading textbooks and memorizing facts. We mean that our teachers seek constantly to engage students with real-world problems and projects. We mean that students are encouraged to build models in order to “see” how the world works. Whether learning biology or chemistry, Sophia students actively engage with the wonders of the created world.