A student’s journey in an Upper Elementary classroom at Ignite Academy is designed to build confidence, collaboration with teachers and peers, and support for gaining the skills to engage in self-directed and personalized learning. 

Our Upper Elementary teachers and assistants shape experiences for students that encourage them as self-directed and motivated learners. IEA values instruction that emphasizes personalized learning that is presented in a variety of formats, including, but not limited to: 

-Dynamic and engaging lessons with manipulative materials for conceptualization and extensions using problem-based learning that encourages students to move from abstract to concrete connections

-Blended learning through technological platforms that are adaptive, according to a child’s skills and progress and encourage critical thinking and problem solving

-Increased opportunities for project-based experiences that connect learning to the world-at-large and engage students in passion-based learning, extending across content areas to shape integrated experiences in language arts, mathematics, science, cultural studies, entrepreneurial elements and technological skills. 

-Field experiences that promote learning beyond the classroom walls, to locations that engage imaginative learning, creativity, cultural and historical connections, and entrepreneurial elements. 

-Participation in Junior Achievement, a program that seeks to expand students’ vision and realize their potential as they are prepared for the real world through hands-on activities presented in the classroom and an experiential learning center, Junior Achievement City. This experiential learning opportunity provides students with the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and financial choices.

-Participation in 6th grade in Youth Entrepreneurs , a program where the curriculum brings ideas to life through experiential learning, executed in real-world scenarios. The curriculum emphasizes values and characteristics of the entrepreneurial spirit that are essential to success in both school and life.