Academics
Traditional education often relies on a "one-size-fits-all" approach, aiming for the mythical "average" student.
This means teaching to the middle, which can leave both struggling and advanced students feeling unchallenged and uninspired. Those who learn at a slower pace may fall behind, while those who grasp concepts quickly can become bored and disengaged, ultimately hindering the progress of many individuals.
Traditional education often struggles to meet the needs of every student, sometimes leaving them feeling lost in the crowd, unmotivated, and disconnected. Rigid curricula and the overemphasis on testing can stifle creativity and the joy of learning, while a focus on “one-size-fits-all” solutions overshadows the development of individual talents.
What happens when learning goes beyond textbooks and tests? At Sherman Inspire Academy, we ignite curiosity and foster a love of learning through our dynamic inquiry-learning pedagogy. Read on to learn how we’re preparing students for their future…
Our Curriculum
As a public school, we teach the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) assessed annually by the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR). But what families really want to know is what does our curriculum look like, sound like, and feel like?
Sherman Inspire Academy curriculum is built around a unique inquiry-based approach that empowers students to explore, question, and truly understand themselves and the world around them. We believe in fostering a love of learning by connecting their experiences to meaningful concepts.
Inquiry Process and Themes
We guide students through a six-phase inquiry process: activate knowledge, identify questions, explore, create, share, and reflect. They actively participate in teacher-led lessons, student-led work, and debriefing processes, delving into these key themes:
Relationships
From the connections between living things to the interactions that shape our communities, students explore the intricate network of relationships that make up our world.
Systems
Students investigate how systems work, from natural ecosystems to social structures, and explore the delicate balance needed for sustainability.
Labor & Migration
We examine the movement of people, goods, and ideas throughout history and its impact on societies and the environment.
Change
Recognizing that change is constant, we equip students with the skills to adapt, innovate, and thrive in an ever-evolving world.
Themes are specifically chosen to group TEKS and determine what is essential for students to learn. They can change based on the relevance to the community, staff, and time.
Inquiry is the natural process of thinking that inspires curiosity and the desire to learn. Inquiry Pedagogy is a teaching method that engages students in active learning experiences by exploring topics, asking questions, and discovering answers through critical thinking. Inspire Academies Inquiry Process introduces students to intentional themes to spark individual curiosity. Students then engage in a specific topic navigating through the six phases of Inquiry leading to new ideas, discovery, and growth.
Absolutely! We are proud to partner with the University of Texas at Austin to offer our students multiple hours of college credit through their OnRamps program at zero cost to Sherman Inspire Academy families.
We pride ourselves with intentionally designing numerous ways to support students in learning. Our student-teacher ratios vary based on the learning activity:
- Direct Instruction: 1 teacher to 15 students
- Small Group Work: 1 teacher to 10 students
- Individual Work: 1 teacher to 25 students
This approach allows us to tailor our teaching methods to meet the unique needs of each student and ensure everyone has the support they need to succeed.
Behavior Management is a hot topic in education that ultimately comes down to the question: who is in control? We believe that it is important that we acknowledge the importance of individuals being in control of their own decisions. It is our responsibility to provide expectations, guidance, instruction, and skills for learners to be in control of their own behaviors. This is a process that requires patience and belief that ultimately the only decisions I control are my own. Over the time that a learner spends with us, our goal is to prepare them to make appropriate decisions.
