Academics
Curriculum
At Dragons Academy, we believe that education should empower students to become leaders, foster resilience, encourage independence, spark innovation, and awake curiosity.
We believe that students come to us with their own set of strengths and talents. Every student at Dragons Academy follows a personalized learning plan that ensures they meet graduation requirements while also exploring their unique interests and strengths.
Our curriculum includes all core subjects—math, language arts, science, and social studies —along with a wide range of electives designed to engage and inspire. For students seeking academic challenges, we offer honors courses that promote deeper learning and critical thinking.
Our full-time, one to one instructional model creates a personalized learning environment where students from 1st through 12th grade thrive academically and personally. This approach helps students build confidence, master essential skills, and prepare for a future of lifelong learning.
We recognize the importance of socialization and group dynamics in a well-rounded education. Our kindergarten and all our electives are delivered in small group settings of up to 1:6—one teacher to six students—allowing for meaningful peer interaction while maintaining individualized attention.
Students who complete graduation requirements earn a high school diploma, recognized by higher education institutions across the country.
With our rolling admissions policy, students can enroll at any time during the school year, making it easy to start when the time is right.
Dragons Academy’s curriculum is fully accredited by Cognia and approved by the NCAA.
Cognia-Accredited: An Education You Can Trust
Choosing the right educational program is one of the most important decisions a family can make. That’s why this program uses a Cognia-accredited curriculum—a mark of quality recognized across the country and around the world.
What does Cognia accreditation mean for your student?
- High Standards: Cognia reviews and approves curricula based on rigorous academic benchmarks, ensuring students receive a strong, well-rounded education.
- Recognized Credits: Coursework completed through this curriculum is widely accepted by schools, colleges, and universities.
- Prepared for the Future: Whether your student is planning to attend college, enter the workforce, or pursue other goals, this curriculum builds the skills and knowledge they need to succeed.
Families can feel confident knowing their student is learning through a program that meets nationally recognized standards for excellence.
NCAA-Approved Curriculum: Supporting Scholar-Athletes
For students who dream of playing college sports, academics matter just as much as athletic ability. That’s why it’s so important that this curriculum is also approved by the NCAA.
Why does NCAA approval matter?
- College Sports Eligibility: Only courses from NCAA-approved programs count toward the academic requirements needed to compete in college athletics.
- Scholarship Opportunities: Many athletic scholarships depend on NCAA academic eligibility—this curriculum helps students stay on track.
- Recruitment Advantage: College coaches look for athletes who are ready both on the field and in the classroom. NCAA approval shows your student is prepared.
- Balanced Growth: NCAA standards promote a healthy balance between academics and athletics, helping students develop discipline, time management, and long-term success.
Whether your student is an aspiring athlete or simply wants a strong academic foundation, this program supports their goals every step of the way.
Strength-Based Learning at Dragons Academy
At Dragons Academy we move away from a perceived deficit-based and static forms of assessment to a more dynamic, asset-based approach.
Teachers use tools that identify students’ strengths, prior knowledge, and interests, while also highlighting areas for growth and essential soft skills such as problem-solving and critical thinking-skills that traditional assessments often overlook.
Our educators use this deep knowledge of students to design instruction, tutoring, individual pathways, and opportunities for acceleration.
This asset-based approach improves student engagement, confidence, self-discipline, and ultimately student learning.
What Is a Personal Learning Plan?
A Personal Learning Plan (PLP) is a student-centered roadmap developed collaboratively with families and educators. It tracks academic performance, learning styles, interests, and long-term goals, designed to support growth holistically.
Individual Assessments
We evaluate academic performance, learning styles, and ability profiles to personalize instruction
Student & Parent Feedback
Students reflect on their motivation and learning process, while parents contribute insights on behavior, interests, and home patterns
Academic & Personal Goals
We define goals based on student strengths and growth areas, supported by actionable strategies
Interests & Life Connections
Whether through sports, arts, or cultural identity, we align learning goals with real-life passions
Progress Checks & Exit Meetings
PLPs are updated quarterly through check-ins and finalized with collaborative exit meetings
This plan includes
Personal Learning Plan Stages
Individual Assessments
The plan starts with an initial assessment of each student’s strengths, abilities, and areas of focus. This is not a standardized test but a personalized evaluation to identify where the student excels and where support is needed.
Academic and Personal Goals
After the initial individual assessment, the teacher, student and parent(s) will identify both academic and personal goals that best support the development of the student. We will design personalized supports to include strategies and tools that will assist the student in achieving their academic and personal goals. The student and teacher will engage in goal setting and action planning throughout the year.
- Academic goals are specific learning objectives tailored to the student’s needs (e.g., “Improve reading fluency by one level”).
- Personal Goals: short term and long term objectives for personal development such as communication, leadership, teamwork, perseverance and resilience.
Feedback from Families and Students
At Dragons Academy, we believe that developing student leadership begins by empowering students through developing self advocacy, responsibility, and accountability. One of the ways we do this is through student-led conferences and action planning. At each student-led conference, the student will present their work and progress towards their goals. Parents and families will be part of the student-led conferences by celebrating the work and providing input about progress and milestones in the student’s plan
Incorporation of Student Interests and Abilities
Research shows that when educators incorporate student interests, strengths, and abilities into their learning, they become more engaged, motivated, and successful. The Personal Learning Plan is designed to strategically leverage student strengths and interests in learning activities while providing support for the areas of improvement.
Quarterly Progress Meetings
The quarterly progress meetings are student-led conferences conducted four times a year and include the following components:
Presentation of student work
Conversation and celebration of student progress
Adjustment of goals, supports, and strategies as needed
Exit Meeting
The Exit Meeting is conducted at the end of the school year between the student, family, and teacher to review overall goal progress, celebrate achievements, and set a foundation for the next academic year.