09/12/2026
We have heard some questions recently about the academic focus at Sky Island, so we wanted to take a moment to clarify.
Academics are absolutely a priority at Sky Island. What is different is how we approach them.
Our program draws inspiration from Montessori, Waldorf, and Finnish education, combining strong academic foundations with hands-on, experiential, project-based, and interdisciplinary learning.
Especially in our younger grades, children may not always be sitting at a desk completing worksheets. They may be learning math through cooking, literacy through stories and nature journals, or problem-solving through building and independent work.
That doesn’t mean academics are being replaced, it means academics are being experienced.
As students progress through grades, expectations increase in reading, writing, mathematics, science, critical thinking, research, and independent work. Our goal is to build students who are not only knowledgeable, but who understand what they are learning and how to apply it.
We believe a strong education develops the whole child- academically, socially, emotionally, practically, and creatively.
Different does not mean less.
We are incredibly proud of the education we are building at Sky Island and grateful to the families who trust us to do it differently.
