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Sophia Biology students planted garden seeds indoors while the weather was still wintry outdoors and then transplanted the seedlings into their Roots Garden plot in early April, way before other people were even thinking about planting. To their delight, they harvested their first small vegetables before the month was over. As the vegetables grow, students will eat some of them, take some home, and donate the rest to the food pantry at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.

Students who love to operate from the right side of their brain were able to elect J-term courses as varied as Game Design, Culinary–which focused on the chemistry of baking, and Woodworking.

Some students in Game Design spent most of their time on the art of crafting a game board, while others had more fun inventing the logic of their game rules.

Students in culinary learned the difference between various kinds of fat and how a cookie would be very different if baked with butter vs. shortening. They tried out three entirely different pie crusts, and voted the crust made with vodka as their #1 choice. A highlight of the course was visiting Patrice With the Treats, a local bakery, where they learned to decorate by making flowers or piping shells.

Woodworking students learned to use saws, drills, dremels, and wood burners, and added the skills of sanding and patience.

Students who feel more comfortable working with left-brain activities had the choice of Empires, the Stock Market Game, and Black History Month.

Once J-Term ended, Sophia students returned to their regular curriculum which includes everything from their college prep courses to targeted interventions in reading, math, and executive function.

A common practice at American Thanksgiving tables is to express our thankfulness to God and to each other. Sophia Academy wishes you a very Happy Thanksgiving and takes this opportunity to tell you what we are thankful for:

Our students–bright, funny, hard-working, creative. Need we say more?

Our teachers–dedicated, passionate, creative, and all the things we said about the students.

Our donors–faithful in giving, interested in what we do.

Our grant0rs–three foundations awarded us grants for our Awakening Genius program this September: Hamilton Family Charitable Trust, Wawa Foundation, and Nora Roberts Foundation.

Our God–provider, sustainer, guide, and the one who gives us strength to carry on.

Enjoy the pictures below from our student-planned and student-prepared Thanksgiving feast.

Whether working with oils for the first time, creating design with poured paint, or turning our favorite Marvel character into watercolor, Sophia students are using their creativity. Ms. Alimonda, our art teacher, works with each student’s interest and ability to move them forward in producing quality art.

Sophia Academy celebrates the image of God in each student as part of our Awakening Genius model. Part of that image in the ability to create rather than copy. Students are taught skill by skill, with Ms. Alimonda emphasizing the methods of achieving what he or she is hoping to produce.

We value the ability to use both sides of our brain each day. Art classes are an important component enabling students with learning differences to achieve academically. Each year students also create music using Garage Band. They learn artisan crafts such as chair caning and wood-working. In all these ways, we are building creativity and cognitive growth while preparing students for their futures.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Mr. Tucker, guitar teacher extraordinaire, has introduced music technology and production to Sophia Academy students. He brings in the Macbooks with Garage Band and is teaching students the step by step process of creating and mixing music. Check out his video below:

https://www.facebook.com/richard.tucker.980/videos/1202532390278773