Founder says Masterpiece Academy harks back to days of one-room schoolhouse
What’s old is new again, and that’s the concept behind what’s billed as one of the area’s first microschools opening in August.
Teacher and Taylor resident Ashley Seguin is debuting Masterpiece Academy, which she describes as a cross between a private school and a homeschool — harking back to the days of the oneroom schoolhouse.
Educators say microschools are popping up around the country as a reinvention of the traditional schoolhouse where children of all ages learn together.
Lessons are similar to the Montessori system.
“It’s just very studentcentered and the educational philosophy is that the more student-centered the work is, the more the students are learning,” Seguin said.
With two young children of her own under the age of 3, Seguin said she is “very Montessori” in her philosophy at home.
The Montessori method promotes hands-on learning and is a less-formal teaching structure.
Seguin added Montessori programs also encourage having children of different ages in the room so the older students can help instruct the younger ones.
The academy will take up to 10 students from kindergarten through eighth grade for the first year, Seguin said. Vouchers will apply to pay for the $7,200 annual tuition.
Unlike many traditional public schools, classes will be held four days a week, 1-5 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
“It’s really normal for homeschooling to be two to four hours a day and that time to be absolutely more than sufficient,” Seguin said.
Nancy Lopez is registering her 6-year-old son at Masterpiece Academy. She had been searching for a structured yet flexible approach to her child’s education, “one that builds confidence, encourages curiosity and supports emotional and social development,” Lopez said.
A day at Masterpiece Academy will be divided into four sections with the first 30 minutes slated for “connect” time where students will start together as a group.
“This is the time for kids to connect with each other to share things that they’ve been struggling with or things that have felt really empowering lately,” Seguin said.
An hour and a half will then be spent on mathematics and language arts. Students will have a checklist with their daily goals established individually with Seguin, the parents and the pupils.
Lopez is confident that a smaller, teacher-led setting, as opposed to online classes or larger classrooms, will provide her son with more oneon- one attention. She added he will benefit from lessons at his own pace rather than following a more rigid classroom schedule.
“Shorter school days will also help him stay engaged, reduce fatigue and retain more information naturally,” Lopez said.
After the first two hours of the day, the second half focuses on two hours of collaboration.
“It will involve science and social studies and working together creating projects,” Seguin said.
A motto Sequin kept in her previous classroom sums up the philosophy behind her new school: “Whoever’s doing the work is doing the learning.”
Lopez added, “I believe this type of program will allow (my son) the balance of academics, play, family time and rest that is so important for our children.”
Lopez said her family is excited about the upcoming academic cycle and she hopes to enroll another child the following year.
For more, visit microschools. prenda.com/ms/ masterpiece-academy or call 903-574- 0401.
