The Trifecta Education Approach
Engaging mind, body and heart
Our Inspiration
Self-directed learning, Reggio Emilia, Socratic dialogue, project-based learning and design thinking are our guiding theories and practices. This unique blend creates a safe environment where children are encouraged to act from the heart, to build knowledge through individualized pathways, to take risks and to view failure as a stepping stone to success.
Approach to Learning
Engagement
We know that learners need a solid foundation of skills to be successful in their lives. At Trifecta Academy students learn the traditional core subjects, and demonstrate their learning through projects they have designed based on their own personal interests.  Utilizing the design thinking framework and rooted in empathy, our learners identify challenges, gather information, generate potential solutions, refine ideas, and test solutions. Students collaborate with their peers and are encouraged by the Trifecta Academy Guides to reach their goals.
Wellness
We believe that isolating the body from the learning process disrupts the learning process, and that movement and hands-on experiences are critical to learning. You won't see rows of desks and hard metal chairs at Trifecta Academy. Instead our environment has been designed to encourage students to use the space in which they learn best. Soft beanbags, cozy spaces, modular furnishings to support collaboration, outdoor spaces and creative movement rooms and studios provide a wide range of learning spaces and opportunities to move.
Balance
We want our learners to not only excel in their studies, but have skills that will support them socially and emotionally. Our Guides are trained to model and integrate a wide array of coping skills for emotional regulation, to enhance inter- and intra-personal communication and to develop mindfulness. Throughout the day learners are introduced to activities that connect mind, body and heart. We believe that a holistic approach to education is exactly what our society needs. Our learners will have the skills to be leaders, creators and change makers not for tomorrow, but for today.
A Day at Trifecta Education
Arrival
Basic Needs
Our doors open at 8:00 am and learners are encourage to arrive before our day starts at 8:45. This time is for the learners to acclimate to the environment, socialize with friends, have some breakfast, chat with the Coaches or cozy up and read a book. We believe that all children should have time to engage activities of their choice when transitioning from home into the learning environment.
Community Meeting
Socratic Seminar
In a Socratic Seminar activity, students help one another understand the ideas, issues and values reflected in a text or topic through a group discussion format. Learners are responsible for facilitating their group discussion around the ideas presented from the text or topic without asserting their opinions or proving an argument. Through this type of discussion, learners practice how to listen to one another, make meaning and find common ground while participating in a conversation.
Learning Blocks
Core Curriculum
We know that an effective education doesn’t just come from memorizing or lecturing. Active participation in the learning process entails designing individualized learning pathways, analyzing, discussing, collaborating and reflecting. Our focus is to help you design pathways to encourage deep mental processing and student engagement through project-based learning.
Makery Blocks
Passion Project
Using their own interests as a foundation, learners will design, develop, create and evaluate prototypes and even market their product! Learners have access to all of the technology within the Makery: 3D printing, digital fabrication, electronics, robotics, physical computing, soft circuits, creative coding, recording and film studios and more. Learners will showcase their accomplishments each semester at the Marker's Market.
Body Breaks
Exercise, Nature & Nutrition
Physical activity helps children build healthy bodies and prevent chronic disease. Helping learners to love movement sets them up to be stronger and healthier teens and adults. Our learners are free to get up and move as needed, encouraged to participate in structured breaks in our movement studio like yoga or music and spend time every day outside. Ample research has shown that being in nature  improves both emotional and physical health.
Enrichment Blocks
Unique Exploration
Each semester learners will have the opportunity to try something new, explore the unknown and gain new skills. Experiences can include wilderness training, global school partnerships, the fine arts and volunteering in the community, to name a few. Through developmentally appropriate activities learners build confidence, learn to work as a team, recognize the value of community and become an agent of change.
Non-Discrimination Policy
Diverse Community
Trifecta Education seeks to have a diverse student body and has a non-discriminatory policy as to learners. We do not discriminate against applicants or learners on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, ancestry, gender, gender identity and expression, or sexual orientation. Trifecta Academy admits learners of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, ancestry, gender, gender identity and expression, or sexual orientation to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to enrolled learners. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, ancestry, gender, gender identity and expression, or sexual orientation in administering its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship program, loan program, and athletic and other Trifecta Academy-administered programs.