Frequently Asked Questions
What grade levels does Paideia Academy offer?
For 2009-2010, Paideia will offer a full academic program for kindergarten through seventh grade. Our kindergarten is a half-day program for five-year olds. We plan to add at least one grade each year until we have a full K-12 program.
What curriculum is used at Paideia Academy? What subjects do you teach?
Paideia uses a variety of curriculum resources for its academic programs. We strive for materials that are academically challenging and supportive of our goal of providing a classical and Christian education. We teach all of the basic subjects (Reading, Writing, Spelling, Math, Bible, Science, History, Art, etc.). Our curriculum is distinctive in that our students study Latin beginning in the third grade, formal Logic in the eighth grade and Rhetoric in high school.
How was the school named?
Paideia /pie-day-ah/ takes its name from the Bible in Ephesians 6:4, where the apostle Paul exhorts fathers to bring up their "children in the training (paideia) and admonition of the Lord." This concept, the paideia of the Lord, involves an all-encompassing, total education of a citizen of God's kingdom. Paideia Academy is not affiliated with Mortimer Adler's "Paideia Proposal" or the related Paideia schools.
What is your schedule and hours?
Next year (2009-2010), students in Kindergarten through Third Grade will operate on a "university schedule" with students attending class at school on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and doing school work at home on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Fourth Grade and up will attend school on a traditional five-day schedule (M-F). Kindergarten students attend from 8:00am to 12:00pm on M-W-F. 1st-3rd graders attend 8:00am to 2:45pm on M-W-F. 4th-7th graders attend 8:00 AM to 3:00pm on M-F. These times are tentative and subject to change.
What are the expectations for the Tuesday and Thursday "at-home" school?
Students receive lesson plans and assignment packets for their work at home on Tuesday and Thursday. The packets are very parent-friendly and contain all of the instructions, assignments and details for the day's work. Parents of younger children (K-2) need to work hands-on with their children during this time, while parents of older students act more as monitors since older students work more independently. Typically younger students have four hours of work to complete on Tuesdays and Thursdays, while older students have six or seven hours of work on the at-home days. Generally there is no homework on M-W-F evenings.
How does the school view parental involvement?
At the core of our philosophy of education is the conviction that parents are ultimately responsible for the education of their children. Our authority and our task are delegated from the parent. Therefore, we strongly encourage parental involvement in our school and have purposefully structured our program to require this involvement. We also desire our parents to be active in the classrooms, to volunteer for school projects, and to visit with the teachers regularly and frequently.
Is your school associated with a denomination or area church?
Paideia Academy is a distinctly Christian institution that is committed to the Word of God, the Bible, as the foundation and guide for all we do, but we are not associated with any particular denomination or local church. Our Statement of Faith is reflective of historic, biblical Christianity. We have children from numerous area churches and we require that at least one parent be a professing Christian.
Is Paideia Academy accredited by any agency or organization?
Paideia Academy maintains membership in the Association of Classical and Christian Schools and the Association of Christian Schools International. Generally, accrediting agencies do not accredit schools until they have been operational for more than five years. Paideia will pursue accreditation, as soon it is eligible.
Are the teachers at Paideia Academy certified to teach in the state of Tennessee?
State certification is not a requirement for employment at our school. We are a different kind of academic institution with a different set of standards for our teachers. We require our teachers to possess a bachelors degree, to be active and faithful Christians, to have a true love for teaching children, to be committed to the classical model of education, and finally to have a love of learning and a passion for their subjects. All of our teachers are specifically trained in classical and Christian education methods. In addition, half of our current teachers have graduate degrees, and others are pursuing graduate studies.
Do you offer tuition discounts or financial aid?
Paideia Academy offers generous need-based tuition assistance to families that apply and qualify. To apply, families must submit a financial aid application (available from the school office) to Family Financial Needs Assessment (FFNA), a third-party, financial need assessment organization. Financial aid is provided on a first-come, first served basis.
What about academic standards? How rigorous is your program?
We believe in setting standards that will stretch students of all abilities to reach their fullest potential -intellectually and spiritually. At Paideia Academy we strive to set the bar high in a way that is both accessible to the average student and challenging to the academically gifted student.
What about new students transferring into your program from other types of schools?
This is a legitimate concern of many parents who are considering enrollment of the children, but our experience is that most students adjust readily to the new approach and new subjects. Although some new students encounter challenges with the higher standards, the school takes a reasonable approach to new students, allowing them ample opportunity to adjust and catch up, as needed.
Do your students participate in standardized testing programs?
Yes, our students are regularly tested in aptitude, basic skills, concepts, and reading comprehension using nationally recognized standardized tests such as the Stanford Achievement Test.
Do students at Paideia receive instruction in Art, Music and Physical Education?
Our students currently receive weekly quality instruction in Art and Physical Education. We are hoping to add Music instruction for 2009-2010.
Do you have extra-curricular activities and a sports program?
As our school adds students and expands into higher grades we expect to offer programs in competitive sports, as well as activities in the humanities, arts and sciences.
What is the student-teacher ratio?
Paideia Academy's policy is to have no more than fourteen students per class in kindergarten, sixteen students per class in first and second grade, and eighteen students per class in the third grade and up. This low ratio allows teachers to offer significant personal attention to the students.
What is the discipline policy at Paideia Academy?
Our standards for student behavior are very high. We have no tolerance for disrespect, dishonesty, rebellion, fighting, and obscene language. The goal of all discipline at Paideia Academy is Christ-likeness and is exercised in a spirit of grace and compassion. Parental responsibility and cooperation in disciplinary matters is expected and strongly emphasized. For complete details, please see the "Discipline Guidelines" in our Student/Parent Handbook.
How are students graded at Paideia Academy?
Paideia uses a traditional grading scale of A (94-100%), B (86-93%), C (76-85%), D (70-75%) and F (less than 70%) in the third grade and above. In kindergarten, first, and second grade we use a scale that gives marks of "Outstanding," "Satisfactory," "Improving," and "Unsatisfactory." Report cards are issued every twelve weeks. Mid-term progress reports are generally issued in the 1st and 2nd trimesters. Parents are kept apprised of student performance regularly and frequently.
What is the school's policy regarding dress codes and uniforms?
Paideia Academy requires its students to wear prescribed uniforms. The uniform basically consists of burgundy skirts/jumpers and a white blouse for girls and burgundy polos and khaki pants for boys. Most uniform items must be purchased from designated vendors. For more information please see the "Uniform and Dress Code Policy" in the Student/Parent Handbook.
What kind of lunch program do you offer?
Students generally bring their own lunch to school each day. Microwaves are available for student use at lunch. On Fridays, a hot lunch is provided at a reasonable cost.
Where do you meet? Do you have a permanent facility?
Paideia Academy is located at 10825 Yarnell Road (off Lovell Road, near Pellissippi Pkwy) in West Knoxville. The school moved into this new permanent facility with acreage in January 2006.
What is the admissions process at Paideia Academy?
The first step is to become familiar with our school and its distinctives by reading our introductory materials and speaking to the school headmaster. The next step is to obtain and complete the proper registration forms. The "Admissions" section of this website provides additional information.