Learning at Oakridge Academy
We believe that every student deserves a personalized education, a deeply connected community, and the opportunity to take charge of their learning, ensuring they are prepared to navigate their future with confidence and creativity.
Each day at a Prenda microschool is made up of four learning modes: Connect, Conquer, Collaborate, and Create.
Check out the research behind Prenda's learning system below or click here.
Values-driven personal development
Connect is meant to build strong relationships and help microschools establish a culture based on Prenda's core values and the principles of empowerment. Students and guides read, watch, discuss, journal, and play as they discover the skills and mindsets of empowered learners.
Why is this important?
When we focus on relationships, mindset, and autonomy we maximize prefrontal cortex development and help kids feel less anxious, more engaged, and more self-motivated.
Learn more:
Hold On To Your Kids by Gordon Neufeld & Gabor Mate
How Children Succeed by Paul Tough
Rest Play Grow by Deborah MacNamara
Connect Mode
Mastery-focused personalized academics
During Conquer, guides and parents work alongside students to create individualized learning plans using rigorous, mastery-based programs. Students set personal goals and move forward each day. Low-stress, adaptive, diagnostic testing identifies learning gaps and gets students working at the right level and pace.
Why is this important?
Research shows that providing a mastery-based approach to academics and an immediate feedback loop fosters a sense of competence and drastically improves academic growth outcomes.
Learn more:
Let’s Teach for Mastery by Sal Khan
The Results of Implementing ZPD on Learning Outcomes by Ryan Baker
When Adaptive Learning is Effective Learning by Shuai Wang
Conquer Mode
Interactive inquiry-led discovery
Collaborate engages students in inquiry-based research, debates, Socratic discussions, experiments, service learning, and problem-solving experiences that help them become people who think deeply about the world around them and how they interact with others. We teach students how to think, not what to think.
Why is this important?
When we allow kids to be active participants in their learning and give them more control over what and how they learn, engagement and self-efficacy increase and anxiety decreases.
Learn More:
The Self-Driven Child by Ned Johnson and William Stixrud
Creating Autonomy-Supportive Learning Environments by Jon Stolk
Promoting Motivation, Health, and Excellence by Edward Deci
Collaborate Mode
Hands-on project-based learning
Create is a time for exploration and creativity. Students work together as they solve reality-based problems through projects that help them discover their interests and the world. They create businesses, products, service opportunities, websites, galleries, events, performances, and more.
Why is this important?
Inviting students to use their learning in real and meaningful ways increases personal relevance and fosters each student’s ability to construct knowledge based on prior experiences.
Learn more:
Raising Critical Thinkers by Julie Bogart
Problem-Based Learning in K-12 Education by Clarice Wirkala
Intrinsic Motivation and the Process of Learning by Diana Cordova
Create Mode
Research has consistently proven that humans require
3 PRIMARY NEEDS TO THRIVE
Connection
We cultivate connection by providing students with warm, accepting, and supportive relationships regardless of academic performance or behavior.
Personalization
We prioritize personalization by ensuring that each student is treated as an individual and allowed the flexibility required to learn in ways that meet their unique needs and interests.
Autonomy
We honor student ownership of the learning process by providing developmentally appropriate autonomy-supportive environments.