Our Learning Model
A Mastery-Based Homeschool Partnership
Heritage Academy at Jubilation Farms is a project-based, whole-child centered, farm-centric microschool serving homeschool families in North Alabama.
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We operate as a mastery-based homeschool partnership. This means we provide intentional, teacher-guided instruction in foundational skills within a small, relationship-centered learning environment—while families remain the primary educators.
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Our program is designed to strengthen essential academic skills, restore confidence, and cultivate curiosity and responsibility in children who are misaligned with conventional schooling models.
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Heritage Academy is not a school replacement, and it is not a therapeutic or clinical program. We exist to partner with families who want a gentle, more meaningful, and honest approach to learning.
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What We Mean by "Mastery-Based"
At Heritage Academy, mastery means that learning is guided by readiness and understanding, not by age, grade level, or the pace of a textbook.
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In many educational settings—public, private, and homeschool alike—children move forward before skills are secure. Over time, gaps widen, confidence erodes, and learning becomes fragile.
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Our mastery-based approach prioritizes:
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Building skills until they are solid, not just introduced
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Revisiting concepts as needed without shame
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Slowing down when foundations are missing
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Valuing depth of understanding over speed or coverage
Mastery does not mean pressure, acceleration, or perfection.
It means children are given the time, support, and clarity they need to grow strong.
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We do not promise that students will meet arbitrary grade-level benchmarks on a fixed timeline. Instead, we commit to helping each child make real, meaningful progress rooted in understanding and confidence.
What We Teach at School
Rather than attempting to “cover everything,” Heritage Academy focuses deeply on a set of essential skills that support all future learning—academically and in life. ​Every student at Heritage Academy receives intentional instruction and support in the following core areas:​
Communication
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Clear spoken language through discussion and narration
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Listening, responding, and expressing ideas thoughtfully
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Writing complete sentences and cohesive paragraphs
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Using language as a tool for thinking and meaning
Foundational Academics
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Reading support and comprehension development
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Functional writing focused on clarity and expression
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Mathematical thinking and number sense
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Problem-solving and explaining reasoning
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Executive Function & Responsibility
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Sustaining attention and effort
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Starting, organizing, and completing work
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Following through on responsibilities
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Developing perseverance and self-regulation
Confidence & Engagement
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Willingness to try without fear of failure
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Curiosity and intrinsic motivation
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Pride in meaningful work and contribution
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These foundations are reinforced through project-based learning, real-world tasks, and farm-based responsibilities, allowing children to experience learning as purposeful and connected—not abstract or performative.​
What Families Are Responsible For
Because Heritage Academy operates as a mastery-based homeschool partnership, families remain an essential part of each child’s education.
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While we provide intentional instruction and skill development during the school day, learning does not live at school alone. Children make the strongest progress when the work we do together is supported and reinforced at home.
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Families are responsible for:
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Primary Educational Oversight
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Maintaining responsibility for the child’s overall homeschool education
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Selecting and overseeing any comprehensive curriculum used at home
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Understanding that Heritage Academy does not replace full homeschool or private school instruction
Families remain the primary educators, and our program is designed to support—not supplant—that role.
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Home Reinforcement of Core Skills
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Daily or regular reading (independent or aloud)
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Reinforcing writing, communication, and math skills introduced at school
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Supporting math fact fluency through short, consistent practice
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Encouraging follow-through, effort, and independence
Even small amounts of consistent reinforcement at home make a significant difference in student growth.
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Structure, Routines, and Responsibility
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Providing age-appropriate responsibilities and expectations at home
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Supporting healthy routines around sleep, nutrition, and screen use
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Encouraging perseverance and accountability
Executive function, stamina, and independence are developed through daily life, not school alone.
Engagement and Communication
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Staying informed about your child’s progress
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Communicating changes or challenges that affect learning
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Partnering respectfully with teachers when concerns arise
We value honest, collaborative communication rooted in mutual respect.
Understanding the Limits of the School Day
Heritage Academy strengthens foundations and stabilizes learning—but we cannot compensate for long-term absence of reinforcement at home.
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When significant gaps persist due to lack of home support, progress may be limited despite our best efforts. In those cases, we work with families to communicate honestly about next steps, supports, or expectations.
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A Shared Commitment
This partnership model protects:
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Children from unrealistic pressure
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Families from confusion or misplaced expectations
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Teachers from burnout
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The long-term health of our program
When school and home work together with clarity and consistency, children are able to grow in confidence, competence, and joy.
Math Fact Fluency:
A Shared Responsibility
One of the most significant barriers to student success we see across all educational settings—public, private, and homeschool—is a lack of automatic recall of basic addition and multiplication facts.​
While math facts may not feel exciting, they are foundational.
Without fluency, students expend so much mental energy on simple calculations that higher-level thinking, problem-solving, and confidence become difficult or impossible.​
At Heritage Academy, we address math fact fluency intentionally and compassionately, while recognizing that mastery requires frequent, short practice beyond the school day.
What We Do at School
At Heritage Academy, we support math fact development through:
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Conceptual instruction and visual models
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Strategy-based learning (grouping, patterns, relationships)
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Hands-on activities and games
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A supportive, low-shame environment
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Encouragement of accuracy, understanding, and confidence
We prioritize meaningful understanding, not speed for its own sake.
What Must Happen at Home
Because math fact fluency depends on repetition and consistency, families are responsible for reinforcing this skill at home.
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We ask families to commit to:
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10 minutes per day, 4–5 days per week
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Short, focused practice sessions
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Encouragement without pressure or frustration
Practice may include:
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Oral practice or flashcards
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Skip counting and mental math
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Simple fact games
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Timed or untimed drills, as appropriate for the child
The goal is automatic recall and confidence, not stress or perfection.
Why This Matters
Strong math fact fluency:
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Reduces cognitive overload
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Improves stamina and attention
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Supports problem-solving and reasoning
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Builds confidence and willingness to engage
Without consistent practice at home, progress in math is often slow and frustrating—despite quality instruction at school.
A Clear Expectation
Math fact fluency is a shared responsibility.
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Heritage Academy provides instruction, strategies, and support.
Families provide consistency and reinforcement.
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When home practice is absent, math progress may be limited, and this will be communicated honestly with families as part of ongoing partnership conversations.
Our Committment
We approach math with care, patience, and respect for each child’s development.
We do not shame children for gaps—but we also do not ignore foundations that are essential for long-term success.
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Together, we build the skills that make future learning possible.
Language Arts Foundations: A Shared Responsibility
Across all educational settings—public, private, and homeschool—we are seeing a widespread erosion of foundational language skills.
Many students can decode text or complete assignments yet struggle to express ideas clearly in speech or writing.
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Strong language skills are not optional. They are essential for:
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academic success across all subjects
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critical thinking and reasoning
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self-advocacy and confidence
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lifelong learning and communication
At Heritage Academy, we prioritize language as a tool for thought, not simply as a subject to be completed.
What Language Arts Looks Like at Heritage Academy
Language grows best through relationship, repetition, and gentle partnership—at school and at home.
At School
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Daily opportunities for conversation, discussion, and narration
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Gentle guidance in writing clear sentences and thoughtful paragraphs
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Writing as a way to share ideas and meaning
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Reading support that emphasizes understanding and connection
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Grammar introduced naturally and in context
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Time and space to build confidence and stamina at an appropriate pace
At Home
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Regular reading together or independently
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Everyday conversation and storytelling
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Short, manageable opportunities to practice writing
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Encouragement and consistency rather than pressure
What We Value
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Clarity over polish
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Growth over perfection
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Understanding over completion
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Confidence and curiosity as learning takes root
What We Intentionally Avoid
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Rushing children based on age or grade expectations
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Heavy reliance on workbooks or rote assignments
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Teaching language as isolated skills rather than meaningful communication
At Heritage Academy, language arts instruction is intentional, relational, and mastery-focused.
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We provide:
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Daily opportunities for spoken language through discussion and narration
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Explicit support for sentence construction and paragraph writing
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Writing for clarity, meaning, and expression—not worksheet completion
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Reading support focused on comprehension, vocabulary, and thinking
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Grammar taught in context, as a tool for clearer communication
We emphasize:
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saying ideas clearly before writing them
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building stamina gradually
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revisiting skills without shame
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valuing progress over polish
Our goal is that students grow in their ability to think, speak, and write with increasing confidence and coherence.
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Students are expected to participate in writing projects regardless of their skill level.
What We Do at School
Language development requires frequent exposure and reinforcement beyond the school day.
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No school program—especially a part-time one—can carry this alone.
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Families are responsible for:
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Daily or regular reading (independent or aloud)
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Conversation and discussion at home
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Reinforcing writing skills through short, manageable practice
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Supporting consistency and follow-through
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Consistently working through your chosen curriculum throughout the week
This does not require hours of instruction.
Even 15–20 minutes a day of reading, conversation, or writing practice has a powerful impact over time.
What Must Happen at Home
When foundational language skills are weak, students often experience:
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difficulty organizing thoughts
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frustration with writing
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avoidance of academic tasks
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low confidence and engagement
This is what we are seeing at an alarming rate in our nation and in students who come to our program, even in homeschooled children.
Without consistent reinforcement at home, progress in language arts may be slow—even with strong instruction at school.
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Language grows through use and practice, not exposure alone.
Why This Matters
Language arts development is a shared responsibility.
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Heritage Academy provides:
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structure
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modeling
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guided practice
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feedback and support
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skills focused workshops
Families provide:
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repetition
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consistency
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daily exposure to language through working on your chosen curriculum, reading, and conversation
When home reinforcement is absent, we will communicate honestly about its impact on student progress.
A Clear Expectation
We approach language arts with patience, respect, and realism. We do not rush children past fragile foundations, and we do not shame students for gaps.
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At the same time, we believe strongly that clear communication is one of the greatest gifts we can give a child—and it requires true partnership. Families must make home education a priority for the sake of their children.
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Together, we build the language skills that allow children to engage fully with the world around them.
Our Commitment
How the Farm Fits In
Supportive, Grounding and Purposeful--NOT a Cure-All
The farm is an essential part of life at Heritage Academy at Jubilation Farms—but it is not a solution to every challenge a child may face.
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We believe meaningful work, time outdoors, and connection to animals can be deeply supportive for children. The farm offers regulation, responsibility, and a sense of belonging that many students have not experienced in traditional school settings.
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At the same time, we are intentional and honest about what the farm does—and does not—provide.
What the Farm Does Provide
At Heritage Academy, the farm supports learning by offering:
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Regulation and grounding through time outdoors and physical activity
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Meaningful responsibility, including age-appropriate farm tasks
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Real-world contribution, where children see that their work matters
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Opportunities for confidence-building, especially for children who have struggled in classroom-only environments
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Natural integration of learning, where projects, math, writing, and problem-solving connect to real life
For many students, this environment helps restore calm, engagement, and willingness to try.
What the Farm Does NOT Replace
While animals and nature can be supportive, the farm is not therapeutic treatment and cannot replace:
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Clinical or therapeutic services
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Occupational, speech, or behavioral therapy
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Intensive academic remediation
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Consistent expectations and responsibilities at home
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Professional intervention for significant developmental or behavioral needs
A farm-based environment can support learning, but it does not resolve challenges on its own.
Why This Clarity Matters
Families sometimes hope that a child’s love of animals or the calming nature of a farm will “fix” deeper struggles.
While we understand that hope—especially after difficult school experiences—we believe honesty is essential.
Heritage Academy is designed to be:
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Supportive, not therapeutic
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Restorative, not clinical
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Relational, not remedial
When expectations are clear, children benefit most.
Our Commitment
We thoughtfully integrate the farm into our learning model as a place of:
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responsibility
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contribution
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connection
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and growth
The farm enhances what we do—but it does not replace therapeutic or clinical help in children with high needs.
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By holding this clarity, we protect the well-being of our students, families, and teachers—and ensure that Heritage Academy remains a healthy, sustainable place for learning to take root.
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Animal and Farm Readiness
Because Heritage Academy is farm-based, students spend time outdoors and around animals, and they participate in age-appropriate farm responsibilities.
While many children love animals, our program is not a suitable fit for students who:
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have a significant fear of animals
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consistently refuse to participate in farm chores
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have a strong aversion to dirt, outdoor conditions, or hands-on work
We also want to be clear: animal safety is non-negotiable.
Occasionally, fear or dysregulation can show up as unsafe behavior toward animals. For the well-being of our animals and our students, we have a zero-tolerance policy for aggression toward animals.
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We kindly ask families to be honest about a child’s fears, sensitivities, and limitations when considering whether Heritage Academy is the right fit.
If you’re unsure, we’re happy to talk through what farm participation looks like and help you discern fit before enrolling.