A skill is not mastered until it is able to be shared. At ILA, learning something is where academics starts, but sharing something is where it comes alive. We utilize our Leardership Training Process and Checklist (MAWL; Model, Assist, Watch, Leave) to grow, nurture, and assess each skill that is being learned and passed on.

ILA takes great joy in the way we train students. A mix of classical and Charlotte Mason curricula; our students get to enter into experiential hands-on learning. Focusing on how to learn, habits, beautiful handwriting, and good, noble, and excellent stories. Students each year will grow in math, reading, writing, history, Bible. nature studies, enrichment, music, poetry, a second language, and more!

Teacher in function, tutor in name. You will hear us call our teachers “tutors” to help retrain our minds to believe we as parents are the primary teacher in the home and the tutors are the skilled guides to get you to the right destination. We cannot speak highly enough of our tutors. They are the life our our school. Among many qualities, they are well-qualified, have years of experience, diligent, amazing with students, good communicators, sincerely care and pray for each student and family, and fun!

This is a key component to ILA. We live in a world of increasing distractions and attention deficit. One benefit of intentionally shorter class times is training the mind to limit distractions and focus. This one, little element pays huge dividends in the development of growing children. Instead of stretching class-times all day long and stretching attention deficit simultaneously, we believe in building muscle memory in focused times of accomplishing tasks and knowing the satisfaction that brings.

Three main areas of focus we have for our students are the growth of Leadership, Character, and Perseverance. For leadership, we help develop both the competency and confidence of each skill. Leadership of a skill is realized when it is being passed on to others. A learn it and train it mentality. For character, its starts with humility and coachability with the mindset of “I will do my best and be my best unto the Lord.” For perseverance, we help students engage and endure when things get challenging. A mindset most needed in today’s world of “I will do this. I will not give up!”

Each week students will be introduced to a new habit. They will learn the habit, practice the habit, have opportunities to share and practice at home, and encouraged by their tutors and peers as they make their habits second nature. Building strong habits increases character, depth of learning, ownership and responsibility, and builds the leaders of tomorrow.