The Curious Academy
What is a microschool?
Microschools are small, relationship-centered learning environments that take inspiration from the traditional one-room schoolhouse — with a modern approach. Students often learn in mixed-age groups, allowing for collaboration, mentorship, and individualized pacing.
Because of their size, microschools offer flexibility for both teachers and families, making it possible to adapt instruction, schedules, and learning experiences to better meet the needs of each child.
Is The Curious Academy a homeschool program or private school?
The Curious Academy is a full-time, secular private school.
While the school itself remains secular, families enrolled in grades 3–5 may choose to use a Christian-based online curriculum as an optional academic pathway. This option is available to families who prefer it, while maintaining TCA’s inclusive and non-religious school environment.
Do you follow state standards?
Yes. The Curious Academy uses South Carolina state standards as the foundation for academic learning.
For kindergarten through second grade, mastery checklists were developed directly from South Carolina state standards for each grade level. For grades 3–5, the online academic programs offered align with Common Core State Standards.
Rather than following rigid timelines, standards are used as a guide to ensure students build skills deeply and meaningfully.
How do you support neurodivergent
learners?
The Curious Academy’s flexible structure allows for greater adaptability than many traditional school settings. Scheduling, pacing, and instructional approaches can be adjusted to meet individual needs. There is no limit on excused absences, so students are not penalized for appointments or regularly scheduled services. The Curious Academy also welcomes outside providers, such as speech or occupational therapists, to work with students on campus.
As a small and growing program, The Curious Academy is not currently equipped to support students who require intensive services or a school-provided one-to-one aide.
Is there homework?
No. The Curious Academy has a no-homework policy across all programs. In the case of an unexcused absence, a parent may request work to be completed at home; once the work is completed, the absence may then be changed from unexcused to excused.
What is your attendance policy?
Consistent attendance is important to support student learning and community routines.
If a student has three or more unexcused absences in a quarter — whether consecutive or cumulative — an Attendance Improvement Plan will be implemented. Students who arrive after 7:45 AM without a valid excuse will be marked tardy, and three unexcused tardies will count as one unexcused absence.
If a student requires more than two Attendance Improvement Plans in a single school year, they will be dismissed from The Curious Academy.
Do you require vaccinations?
The Curious Academy does not require vaccinations or exemption forms for enrollment. Families are asked to provide a copy of shot records for each student’s file, though vaccination records are not required for attendance.
What are the school hours? Do you offer after-care?
The Curious Academy operates Monday–Friday from 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM for students in grades K–5. Students are considered tardy after 7:45 AM, and pickup must occur by 2:45 PM. Curious Kids Pre-K program operates Monday-Thursday from 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM. Students in this program must be dropped off by 8:15 AM and picked up by 11:45 AM.
At this time, The Curious Academy does not offer an after-care program. If sufficient interest arises, a plan is in place to add after-care in the future.
Do students need to bring lunch and snacks?
Yes. Students should bring enough food each day for one lunch period and two snack times.
Are scholarships or financial assistance available?
Yes. The Curious Academy is an approved recipient of Education Scholarship Trust Fund (ESTF) scholarship funds issued through the state of South Carolina. Curious Kids Pre-K program does not qualify to receive these funds.