FAITH:
Are you affiliated with any denomination?
HOPE Academy is a non-denominational Christian school that serves families who attend various local Christian churches. We are a covenant school, meaning we partner with parents who have publicly expressed a committed relationship with Jesus Christ and are striving to live according to Christian principles. Our goal is to work alongside families who desire to raise their children in the faith, nurturing them in a Christ-centered environment at home and school. This shared commitment is foundational to our school community. Please see our Statement of Faith for more information: HOPE Academy Statement of Faith.
Is HOPE Academy a ministry of West Cabarrus Church?
No, we lease space from the West Cabarrus Church, we operate independently of their ministry, with no direct influence on our academic curriculum. This space allows us to focus on providing an excellent education for HOPE students. We are blessed by West Cabarrus Church and many other churches as we all serve together on one mission to glorify God’s Kingdom.
UNIQUE SCHEDULE:
Is HOPE Academy a homeschooling co-op?
No. HOPE Academy is a private Christian school registered in North Carolina. Our classes are led by paid, experienced, professional educators prayerfully screened and selected by our Administration. All students who enroll must attend classes three to four days per week based on grade level and class schedule. Unlike a co-op, parents will not be asked to teach or devote a certain number of hours in the classroom in exchange for the right to attend. However, we appreciate parent volunteers in other areas.
Both parents work full-time outside of our home. Would HOPE be a good fit for us?
One of the most significant benefits of HOPE Academy’s University Model is that it allows parents more time with their students than the school does. We believe that parents are created to be the primary influence in their children’s lives. To be successful in this form of education, one parent must devote uninterrupted time to their student’s academics on at-home learning days, especially in the elementary and early middle school years.
How do you select teachers?
HOPE Academy’s faculty selection process is very rigorous. Our faculty and staff must demonstrate an active relationship with Jesus Christ and be engaged in a local Christian church. A proven history of excellence in the classroom is a key criterion for faculty hiring consideration. All teachers must be certified (or eligible for certification) to teach in North Carolina or be highly qualified in their field of expertise.
How long can we expect to work on homestudy days?
Parents should anticipate 2-4 hours of work (plus breaks/lunch) for Elementary students, 4-5 hours for Middle School students, and 6-8 hours for High School students. Parents with multiple elementary-aged children at HOPE should anticipate a 5-6 hour school day at home.
Do you provide training and support to new co-teachers/parents?
Yes, HOPE provides extensive training and ongoing support through workshops and class meetings. Find out more about how we partner with and support parents on our Parent Programs page HERE.
Will this model allow us more flexibility to travel?
To maintain the integrity of the school, parents are asked to adhere to the published school calendar. HOPE Academy follows NC state attendance standards, so voluntary school absences must be minimal. Additionally with our focus on Project-Based Learning student absences significantly impact the work of their group and classmates so attendance is important. While the model does allow some flexibility, it is the expectation that students complete homestudy assignments on time and avoid appointments and vacations that impact these days of learning whenever possible.
LEARNING:
How much time do students spend on electronics for school?
At Hope Academy, we prioritize face-to-face interactions and project-based learning as essential components of our educational approach. While technology can be a useful tool, it is not the focus of our curriculum. We believe in creating hands-on, engaging learning experiences that foster collaboration, critical thinking, and personal growth. Our Kindergarten through 4th-grade students have little to no interaction with technology, focusing instead on hands-on learning and face-to-face engagement. In upper school, students gradually begin using technology with limited screen time, ensuring a well-rounded and interactive educational experience and prioritizing personal connections and project-based learning.
My child is academically gifted. Are you able to meet their needs?
HOPE Academy differentiates learning both in the classroom and at home. We continually assess students’ understanding and provide differentiation through small-group instruction. Parents can challenge their students’ learning at home through teacher-designed extensions of home study assignments and parent-initiated independent study opportunities. If there are areas of concern our faculty and Director of Learning Support are happy to discuss opportunities for your student.
Are the Common Core Educational Standards used at HOPE Academy?
National and state standards are used as a guide for academic planning and curriculum development. HOPE Academy is not required by law, nor are we tied financially to state or national standards. However, as a school, we have deemed using such standards as a guide valuable. Our students are assessed using a standardized, third-party assessment each year, aligned with the Common Core National Standards. All academic decisions are based on prayer, research, and our students’ developmental and academic needs to be globally competitive.
Common Core standards only encompass the subjects of English Language Arts and Mathematics.
Do you serve students with special needs/ 504 Plans/I.E.P.s?
Yes. God has specifically called us to serve students with various special needs. These students are best served in our school’s Learning Support Program for a minimum of their initial year and on review for subsequent years.
HOPE Academy has limited openings for students in our Learning Support Program in each grade to maintain balanced classrooms. To qualify for consideration at HOPE, students must be able to function independently in the classroom with little to no assistance. Our Learning Support Director and Administration determine program eligibility through our standard inquiry and application process. Our team carefully reviews all testing and accommodation paperwork in addition to the standard application, reference, and required documents to move through the application process. Additional testing may be needed to understand how best to serve the student’s needs. Any costs associated with additional testing will be the parent’s responsibility. Further fees related to this program will be assessed throughout the school year for ongoing support services.
LOGISTICS:
What days and times are classes in session?
Elementary School: Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays 8:00 am – 2:45 pm
Middle School: Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays 8:00 am – 3:10 pm
High School: Mondays -Thursdays (occasional classes on Fridays for Juniors & Seniors) 8:00 am – 3:10 pm
Do students wear uniforms?
our uniform policy has recently been updated to offer students more comfort and flexibility throughout their day. While we still require students to wear a uniform, we’ve shifted from exclusively polos and khakis or dresses to include more relaxed branded t-shirts and tops paired with approved athletic or comfortable bottoms. This change helps our students stay active and engaged in various activities, ensuring they can participate in learning and physical activities with ease and comfort. Uniform guidelines will be provided during the enrollment process.
What does lunchtime look like?
At Hope Academy, students bring home-packed lunches. However, we offer an optional hot lunch program through MyHotLunchbox, available twice a week at an additional charge. Elementary students eat together in the Learning Center or Pavilion as a class, middle school students eat together in the Fireside Room in the Worship Center, and high school students have lunch in the Upper School classrooms and lounge. Parents may bring lunch if needed, but outside food deliveries are only allowed with prior administration or front desk staff approval.
How do you handle food allergies?
At Hope Academy, our elementary classrooms are nut-free to ensure the safety of younger students with allergies. While the upper school environment is not entirely nut-free, we emphasize student responsibility in managing their allergies. Teachers and fellow students actively help create a supportive environment, and upper school students are encouraged to take responsibility for their health. We work together to promote awareness and safety throughout the school.
Do you offer recess?
Yes, we offer recess for all grade levels, from Kindergarten through 12th grade, recognizing the research-backed benefits of physical activity for students of all ages. Kindergarten and first grade have access to a playground, while students in all grades can enjoy outdoor basketball hoops, balls, hula hoops, chalk, and volleyball in the Worship Center. Faculty and staff supervise students during these activities, ensuring a safe and engaging recess experience for everyone.
What do you do about security?
Student safety is a top priority. We have an officer on campus daily, along with well-implemented security measures for classroom and campus access. Our staff members are also trained in CPR, Red Cross certifications, fire safety, and other essential drills. While we take these precautions very seriously, we believe in keeping certain details confidential to maintain the highest level of safety for our students.
If you have another question that is not addressed here, please feel free to contact us at admissions@hopek12.com.