Choose Your Thrive

SMCA’s new Choose Your Thrive Program combines flexibility, accountability, and independence offering the best for your student to thrive now and into the collegiate or professional world.

On-Campus Blended Learning

Flexibility

SMCA equips middle and high-school students with the expertise and connections needed to thrive.

Four days of on-campus learning paired with Friday online learning helps students get the instruction and attention they need while also equipping them for the digital age. 

Four days a week on-campus students will meet in classes in the traditional block schedule. On Friday, high school students will work independently from home on the materials assigned by each teacher. Teachers will rely on a variety of teaching techniques and learning tools to ensure that even during these at-home workdays students’ questions are answered and needs are met.

Now more than ever, digital literacy and responsibility are an expectation of today’s students and tomorrow’s professionals. With Friday online days, on-campus students are given the opportunity to grow in this valuable skill set, mastering the art of effective online communication, work expectation, and personal responsibility.

Middle School Learning

On-Campus Thriving

Our middle school mission is to train our students for the academic rigor of high school. Four days a week on-campus students will meet in classes in the traditional block schedule. Fridays will be held on campus as an assisted instructional day and follow a more traditional period schedule thus allowing students to participate in all core classes in a single day. Teachers will use this Friday class time to foster student independence as students work on targeted learning activities reinforcing the week’s studies.

Additionally, once a month all middle school students will have their own at-home learning Friday session.  Middle school students will learn to use online learning platforms for completing and submitting assignments as well as effective electronic communication all while fostering a growing sense of independence and leadership.

Furthermore, at the start of the fourth quarter, eighth grade students will transition into a schedule where all Fridays will be at-home learning days. This schedule mirrors that of the high school and will help the older middle school students prepare for the expectations of high school.

High School

  • Best plan for college preparation

  • Block schedule (80 mins)

  • Four days on campus

  • Virtual Friday

  • Teacher online office hours

  • Optional Friday in-person attendance

Middle School

  • Math and English classes for 6th Grade every day

  • Block schedule (70 mins)

  • Five days on campus

  • Two 10 min breaks every day

  • Assisted Instructional Friday

  • Once a month virtual Friday – Optional in-person attendance

Virtual Friday is helpful for me because it lets me get more sleep and my work is more manageable

– 10th Grade Student

We love “Choose your Thrive” it has allowed both of our high schoolers to learn in multiple environments. They are confident doing their work virtually and are not frustrated in the virtual environment however, being in-person allows them to build relationships with teachers and peers therefore keeping them balanced and excited to attend school.

– Parent of 6th , 9th , and 11th Grade Students

Love the virtual Fridays!  Teaches them about time management, autonomy, and responsibility.

-10th Grade Parent

Having two high school students, virtual Fridays in my opinion, allows them to have the flexibility to work at their own pace. They learn to be self-motivated, and I noticed they enjoy having a break outside of the classroom environment.

– Parent of 9th and 10th Grade Students