Journeying with Sage

The Sage Academy Story

Welcome to our first blog post! We thought it would be fitting to start with our story. If you've already downloaded our information packet, you may have read most of it, but we wanted to give you the unpolished version. So, grab a cup of coffee and let's dive in!

A little backstory

In case you're not familiar with us yet, let us introduce ourselves. Jamie Alexander, Co-Founder and Guide (Educator), and Tasha Skeen-Richard, Founder and Guide Assistant, are both moms to young children. Jamie has two children, Willow (four) and Gabe (six), and Tasha has one son, Landry, who will be five in the fall. All three children have been attending the same Montessori preschool (Lake Granbury Montessori Academy) for several years, and every year, the school does an amazing job of fostering relationships between families by hosting and facilitating social events. And without fail, at these events, the number one topic of conversation among parents is always, "Where are you sending your child for kindergarten?"

As Tasha's son quickly approached kindergarten age, she found herself facing a difficult decision: should she send him to the overcrowded public school closest to her, or should she look for a better alternative? Tasha also knew that the current learning model in public schools was not what she wanted for her son. Her family had been practicing learner-led and independent education for two years now and had witnessed firsthand the advantages of this environment. There was no way she was going to let her son, full of curiosity and passion for learning, be put into assembly lines and forced to sit at a desk all day.

Fortunately, Tasha was already familiar with Acton Academy, Sage Academy's affiliate, and she knew early on that this type of environment was what she wanted for her son. The only problem was that the nearest Acton Academy was in Fort Worth, and after visiting it, Tasha's family quickly determined that the drive was not doable. So, what was the only plausible solution? To start a Sage (Acton) Academy here in Granbury, Texas, of course!

Meanwhile, Jamie's family was having their own experience with their son attending the local public elementary school. Although Gabe had access to a good education, there were some aspects of the school that concerned Jamie and her husband. Their five-year-old had only 15 minutes of recess each day, and his classroom had no windows. Gabe described kindergarten as "mostly lining up and sitting at your desk."

Jamie's family felt that 12 years of this type of traditional educational environment would not only hinder Gabe's natural curiosity about the world around him, but also would not provide him with the 21st Century skills he needed for success in our rapidly changing world.

Sharing a common goal

While Jamie and Tasha were both facing different challenges, they shared a common goal: to provide their children with a better education that would help them thrive in the modern world. They believed that traditional education was no longer enough, and that children needed a learning environment that would foster their individual strengths and passions.

As they searched for non-traditional education options in Hood County, Jamie and Tasha considered several faith-based schools. However, they firmly believed that families - not teachers in a classroom - are best equipped to share and teach their own unique religious values and belief systems to their children.

That's why they decided to start a school that would be inclusive of all faiths and backgrounds, while still providing a strong moral foundation for their students. They wanted to empower families to be the primary influence in their children's spiritual development, while also providing a safe and welcoming environment for students of all beliefs. They believe that character development is just as important as academic achievement, and that a strong moral compass is essential for success in all areas of life.

Their own Hero's Journey

Tasha and Jamie are firm believers in every child's potential to achieve great things. That's why they are passionate about creating a school that fosters a supportive environment where students can grow and thrive. Sage Academy offers a proven learner-led and independent education model that empowers students to take ownership of their learning journey, and leverages the power of experiential learning by providing hands-on opportunities for students to explore their interests and passions. As a result, Tasha and Jamie feel confident that the right families who also value these learning opportunities will emerge.

As Tasha and Jamie continue to remodel their studio, they remain focused on community outreach and connecting with families who share the same vision for education. They believe that community is the key to success and are committed to building a strong, supportive community at Sage Academy.

It could be said that Tasha and Jamie are on their own Hero's Journey, inspired by their children. As parents themselves, they understand the fierce love and passion that comes with raising a child, and starting a school with the same level of care and dedication of a nurturing gardener. Sage Academy is committed to providing a supportive and nurturing environment where students can grow and flourish.

We are excited to see who journeys with us! Will it be you?

Download information packet here.