A recent op-ed article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution said that hybrid schools might just be the way of the future. But you may be wondering…
What is a hybrid school?
A hybrid school blends at-home learning with classroom learning at school. Not every hybrid school works the same, however, so we want to help you understand the differences among hybrid schools.
Whereas homeschool cooperatives (called co-ops for short) usually meet just one day a week and focus on enrichment in areas such as art, the sciences or music, hybrid schools usually operate two or three days a week at school, and the remaining days are spent learning at home.
At Learnwell North Georgia, for example, students come to school two days a week. Then, on the other days, they work at home under the instruction of a parent or tutor.
Some hybrid schools are closely tied to a church or religious institution, while others are independent — much like a startup business. Some hybrid schools operate under a national umbrella, like a consortium.
Which kind is Learnwell North Georgia?
Learnwell North Georgia students come from all backgrounds, cultures, and educational experiences. Some students were in a private school setting and were uprooted to North Georgia due to a family job change. Others were in public school but needed a change to suit their individual needs. Learnwell also serves students who were homeschooled or attended other hybrid schools previously. (We like to say that we have a little bit of everybody.)
Is Learnwell North Georgia a Christian school?
Learnwell is a faith-based school, but we are not a covenant school. This means that we don’t ask parents or families to sign any statement of belief. But we do let families know that our teachers will be instructing from a foundation of Christian beliefs. We looked for the highest-quality educational curriculum, and our teachers teach from a Christian perspective.
What makes Learnwell North Georgia different from other hybrid schools?
A unique aspect of Learnwell that not all hybrid schools share is that there is a strong emphasis on the “what” of learning — not necessarily the “how.” Learnwell teachers create lesson plans to serve families on the North Georgia campus so that when students are at home, they are simply continuing the learning they started at school that week. But parents are given immense freedom in how they teach the concepts in each week’s lesson plan, especially when teaching elementary-aged students.
This provides families two very valuable assets:
1. The confidence that they CAN teach their children. Our highly specialized teachers know how to provide a lesson plan that is unique, creative, multi-sensory, and engaging. Learnwell teachers are also available throughout the week to help parents as needed while they instruct their students at home.
Learnwell feels strongly that parents are not homework monitors on the students’ at-home learning days. They are co-instructors with Learnwell teachers, and we provide parents with the professional development they need to be equipped throughout the school year.
2. The flexibility they want as a family. When a student is struggling to learn a concept, teachers will come alongside parents to help engage a student in a variety of ways. Maybe your child loves to play outside and can learn spelling words by writing them with sidewalk chalk. Or perhaps your middle-school student prefers to talk about a book he is reading for literature rather than answer comprehension questions on notebook paper.
One of our parents’ most beloved aspects of our model is the freedom to choose HOW your child learns the material. The flexibility also means that your family can travel, attend family events, and not be tied to a schedule as much as if your students attended a different school.
What grades does Learnwell North Georgia serve?
While not every hybrid school operates through all grades, Learnwell does. The North Georgia campus is an accredited K-10 school in 2024-2025, and will be K-12 by the 2026-2027 school year.
The unique high school model provides high school students with these opportunities:
- To learn how they are uniquely wired
- To discover what their gifts and passions are
- To gain real-world experience with different career experiences
- To become grounded in their faith
- To serve younger students and the local community
What are Learnwell North Georgia’s core values?
Most hybrid schools operate under a set of core values. Learnwell North Georgia’s core values are:
- Intentional Margin – We believe families who educate their children with margin are healthier. The benefit of a hybrid school is that your students will have more free time, not less. We think free time is a good thing.
- Deep Faith – Because our staff operates from a deep-seated belief in Christ, we serve families with integrity.
- Educational Excellence – Our teaching staff provides high-quality, excellent education and support for parent co-teachers to allow for individualization in learning wherever possible.
- Authentic Community – Learnwell nurtures authentic community by providing opportunities for families and students to connect, get to know, and support one another outside of school.
While hybrid schools aren’t the answer for every student, they can be beneficial:
- For families who have had a difficult experience with a different kind of school
- For families who need more flexibility in their lifestyle
- For families who want their children to have more margin
Are you considering a change in your child’s education?
We invite you to an informal night of discovery. Our Discover Learnwell information nights are low-key evenings where we answer your questions about who we are as a school and how we operate.
If you don’t live in the north metro suburbs of Atlanta (Alpharetta, Cumming, Milton, Roswell, etc.) or your family is looking for greater flexibility than what a group learning environment can provide, we recommend partnering with Learnwell teachers for the Navigator Program. This program takes the guesswork out of homeschooling.