WHAT is ASPIRE Academy? ASPIRE is an Early Childhood Learning Center servicing the families of Rock Hill and greater surrounding areas with alternative and affordable education in a comfortable and inspiring environment. ASPIRE is currently a Registered Family Child Care home which is licensed in the state of South Carolina, and in compliance with the Department of Social Services. WHERE is ASPIRE
Academy? ASPIRE operates in a dedicated addition of a private home, which is conveniently located in the eastern corridor of Rock Hill near Cherry Park, and accessible to I-77 within minutes. Please contact ASPIRE for more details and/or to schedule a private tour of our facility and classroom. WHICH age group does ASPIRE service? ASPIRE is a multi-aged classroom, which accepts children from 30 months of age to 6 years. The multi-aged classroom is a central philosophy of ASPIRE. This diversity in age allows children to teach and learn from each other as more advanced students inspire younger students, and often become better at teaching than adults, simply due to the peer relationship. The multi-aged classroom is a major difference from traditional schooling models where children are isolated according to age. This environment is favorable because students are not bound to a chronological standardized curriculum. The multi-aged classroom allows students to progress at their own pace, often exceeding standardized developmental milestones, and unearths motivation in observing the progression of a diverse group of peers working simultaneously in diverse subjects. Educational philosophies such as the Montessori method have documented and offered proofs supporting the benefit of this model. For more specific research, please inquire directly. WHO is ASPIRE? ASPIRE is comprised of many people. We consider ourselves a diverse community growing together with respect for the individual. ASPIRE represents the passion of many people to provide the best environment for children to flourish. It was born out of a perceived need to challenge and amend the status quo of accepted educational philosophy in our community. Although many are involved, the school was founded and operates under the auspices of Director Leah Segrin. A teacher of considerable pedigree and diverse experience, Leah holds a Master's degree in the Arts of Education with concentrations in School Leadership and Literacy. Leah has diverse teaching and directing experience, which spans four states and six schools. Leah is a former high school athletic coach and is a gifted artist who is passionate about community engagement, behavioral accountability, and holistic wellness. WHEN does ASPIRE operate? ASPIRE keeps nearly the same yearly schedule of the York County school system. The school operates from 8am to 3pm Monday to Friday with early drop off and after school sessions available. WHY is ASPIRE different? ASPIRE is different from traditional education for many reasons. One key component of ASPIRE which sets it apart is the focus on the individual. ASPIRE fosters INTEREST BASED LEARNING, which is a philosophy developed by highly influential educational philosophers such as Maria Montessori. Employing this mantra of education puts the upmost significance on the formative years. ASPIRE makes a point to blend freedom of interest and learning through experience with a fundamental premise of self-discipline. The environment in which the child is surrounded is paramount to formative years, this is why the classroom at ASPIRE is so specifically laid out. Specified and proven Montessori materials along with other resources are laid out in a methodical arrangement, where students can utilize the materials upon interest. The primary goal of the teacher is to guide students to various materials, which will challenge and build up their proficiency in a given subject. A focus is also put into order and cleaning up after oneself. The indoor classroom is augmented by a large outdoor space where children not only play and exercise, but also interact and observe nature first hand. A school garden is another cornerstone of ASPIRE's philosophy. By working in the garden children not only observe the law of nature, but also they learn to appreciate healthy food choices. It is more likely for a child to try a vegetable that they grew themselves. This leads to another foundation of ASPIRE's curriculum, and that is the importance of diet and health. ASPIRE provides healthy snack options, and helps children become open to eating more raw vegetables and fruits in opposition to the saturation of processed food so prevalent in the American diet. ASPIRE encourages learning through individual discovery and observation. This concept applies not only to cognitive growth, but also to behavioral therapy. Students at ASPIRE are taught conflict resolution through conversation as opposed to traditional punitive discipline. This is why students at ASPIRE are affirmed to promote peaceful education, through the guidance of the teacher, students become peace makers, becoming aware of their peers' needs and feelings through critical listening, effective communication, and a sense of community. This environment encourages conflict resolution with minimal teacher intervention, and accomplishes this with surprising effectiveness.
