FAQ's | Quest Academy North Idaho

LEARN ABOUT OUR CALENDAR, TUITION, PHILOSOPHY & MORE.

HOW IS QUEST ACADEMY DIFFERENT?

Student-driven, self-paced learning
Real-world projects and apprenticeships
Multi-age/grade classes
Student self-governance
Exploration and assessment of skill levels, learning styles, aptitudes, personality traits, and interests
Guides rather than teachers
Socratic discussions rather than lectures
Mastery learning and student portfolios of achievements rather than grades
No homework
No teaching to the test

HOW MUCH IS THE TUITION?

Tuition for our Discovery Studio (ages 7-11) is $5,670 per year ($630 for 9 months), and Spark (ages 4-6) is $6,300 ($700 per month for 9 months).

DO YOU OFFER DISCOUNTS OR SCHOLARSHIPS?

We offer a 3% discount for payments made by cash or check. We also offer a sibling discount of 10% off total tuition for concurrently enrolled students.

WHAT IS THE DAILY AND YEARLY SCHEDULE?

To keep things manageable for our families, we will follow the standard public school schedule. That means school will start the Tuesday after Labor Day and finish in early June. The school day runs from 8:00am-3:00pm for both studios.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DISCOVERY AND SPARK?

Our Discovery studio serves students ages 7-11. Students work together on Quests throughout the year, which are weeks-long projects that culminate in exhibitions of learning that are open to the public. Core learning is done using adaptive online programs, and students have a large amount of independence to take charge of their learning.

Our Spark studio serves students ages 4-6. This studio uses Montessori materials and principles to guide student learning and also offers plenty of opportunities for imaginative play. Skill development is focused on social/emotional skills to prepare learners for more academic pursuits in the future.

CAN I CHOOSE WHICH STUDIO MY CHILD ATTENDS?

We stick strictly to the age ranges for each studio. If during the year the guides feel that a learner would be better served in the other studio, we handle possible transitions on a case-by-case basis.

WILL YOU BE OPENING A MIDDLE SCHOOL SOON?

As of 2024, we do not have a date for opening a middle school studio. However, our Discovery studio guide is often able to adapt curriculum to continue to challenge learners as they grow beyond elementary school skill development.

WHAT ARE THE CLASSROOM SIZES?

Sizes at Quest are determined by studios, not classrooms. Our Discovery studio can serve up to 15-18 students with one guide and up to 25 students with two guides before we will split into two Discovery studios. Our Spark studio can serve up to 12-13 students with one guide and up to 20 students with two guides.

WHAT CURRICULUM DO YOU USE?

Our curriculum varies based on individual students. Spark primarily focuses on Montessori principles. Discovery uses a range of different online programs, including Khan Academy, Lexia, Grammarly, and more. Quests and the projects within them are designed by our guide and other Acton guides within the Acton community.

HOW DO YOU TEACH KIDS TO READ IF THEY LEARN INDEPENDENTLY?

Learners in a Montessori environment learn to write before they learn to read using materials like sandpaper letters to learn letter sounds and a moveable alphabet to put letters together, sounding them out to spell words. Materials like these allow children to move and learn by doing as well as learn to “write” before they have the fine motor skills to control a pencil. These skills are worked on in our Spark studio as learners need to have a foundational reading ability in order to be successful in Discovery.

IS QUEST ACADEMY A RELIGIOUS SCHOOL?

We are a faith-based school, and we believe that emulating the examples Jesus set provides a solid path for learners to follow. We also believe all people—regardless of creed, nationality, etc.—are worthy of honor and should be treated with respect. In addition, we recognize God as the ultimate Creator, embodying the fullness of creativity, ingenuity and wisdom. Our goal is to weave these principles into the daily learning experience at Quest Academy.

Our parent organization is New Life Community Church, but we are non-denominational and Gospel-centered in our approach to teaching.

MAY I VISIT CAMPUS OR GET A TOUR?

In order to protect the learning environment of our Eagles, we do not offer tours or have meetings on campus while school is in session. We have open houses throughout the year and we encourage anyone interested in meeting our guides or seeing our studios to attend at these times.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY A "HERO'S JOURNEY"?

We believe that each of us has a special calling in life. In order to achieve that calling and live a satisfying and fulfilled life, there will come a series of trials and tests that must be faced with integrity and purpose. Our mission is to prepare your child for his or her special journey.

WHAT IS AN "INDEPENDENT LEARNER"?

An independent learner is someone who can research questions, follow instructions, and solve problems on their own. They can also admit when they don't know something and figure out a solution when they hit a roadblock, without asking an adult for help. They also participate in discussions and strive for mastery.

WOULD QUEST BE A GOOD FIT FOR MY CHILD WHO HAS SPECIAL NEEDS?

One of the central tenants of an Acton-model school is that the students take ownership of their learning and education. While the flexibility and student-driven design of this model has been demonstrated to be effective for some children with specific diagnoses (dyslexia or ADHD, for example), it has also proven to be the wrong fit for students with more intensive needs that require additional adult support. This is due to the fact that the Acton model is designed with the intent of having the adults in the classroom to fade into the background while students modulate the workflow and behavior. We recommend that each family, in partnership with our team, examine their student’s individual needs to determine if Quest will be a successful fit for their student.

HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT THE STUDENTS ARE LEARNING IN THIS MODEL?

Although we don’t issue grades to students, their progress is measured and tracked through a variety of tools and systems. Our badge system outlines expectations for reading, writing, math, and social/emotional progress by year. Students work with a Guide to differentiate their core curriculum, and to set daily, weekly, and/or session goals. They showcase their mastery by meeting their goals, earning badges, assembling portfolios and taking part in public exhibitions of their work.

Student goals connect to the mastery of specific curriculum objectives through our online learning tools such as Lexia Learning and Khan Academy, which also provide progress snapshots. An optional standardized test is administered in a low-stakes format each year to provide one more measure of student learning. These evaluations and assessments are shared between parents, staff, and students in regular meetings, and parents are able to review student portfolios.