Our Programs
K-12 Education
The Student Experience
Our curriculum is designed to help students grow into young, globally aware leaders. We nurture curiosity, wonder and creativity while encouraging self-directed learning, the ability to draw real-world connections, higher-order thinking and the development of communication skills.
Our school year begins in early August and wraps mid-June. Our school year is broken up into six-week sessions with a one-week break in-between. We share the same spring break and Holiday Break as other schools in Ottawa County.
K-5 Students
Typically K-5 students spend about six hours learning each day. This includes a mix of independent and online work. Much of their learning is done through guided activities and hands-on materials that they receive and work through with their Learning Coach.
The Learning Coach is the adult (parent, guardian, grandparent or other caregiver) at home who guides the student through lessons, working side-by-side each day. Think of our K-12 experience like schooling from home with a supported curriculum. Students receive instruction from both their Learning Coach and teachers, who work together to support their academic and social development.
We prioritize K-5 connection-building through our conference calls, weekly Live Lessons, off-site experiences, Synergy Sessions and field experiences through the Community Passport Program.
Middle School
Middle school students can still expect to spend about six hours a day on a mix of independent and online schoolwork. As students progress through middle school, their online learning time increases. Our objective during these transitional middle school years is to set students up for success in high school, encouraging independent learning with tools for success with the Lincoln Learning curriculum.
In middle school, the Learning Coach still checks in with the student frequently to ensure assignment completion and answer questions, but the student has much more independence.
Like K-12, connection is critical. In addition to the connection options for K-12 students, middle schoolers can go to RE:FUEL, our quiet on-campus café that promotes education and social interaction for students in grades 6th – 12th.
High School
Our high school students work on schoolwork for about six hours each day, both independently and online. Their time spent with independent online learning continues increasing as they progress through high school. We help our high schoolers discover their passions and internal drivers, encouraging them to spend their learning energies on the things that excite them.
Our high schoolers learn from custom-developed content by our staff along with the Lincoln Learning curriculum. We also offer innovative onsite learning opportunities, like robotics.
High schoolers exercise the most independence, with their Learning Coach checking in at least once each day to make sure their student is completing assignments and to answer any questions.
Beyond virtual engagement in class, high schoolers can gather in-person for Synergy Sessions, engage with the Community Passport Program, join our high school robotics team, enjoy time in RE:FUEL, attend classes at the Careerline Tech Center, earn work-based learning credit, dual enroll at a local college or university, or take a K-5 class at the Outdoor Discovery Center.
Virtual Extracurriculars
Our virtual extracurriculars tend to change from year to year depending on student interest. Below are a few examples of what we’ve had in the past:
- Drawing
- Yearbook/Digital Photography
- Dungeons and Dragons
- Art Club
- Music Club
- Cooking/Baking
Robotics Team
Founded in 2016, our Globetrotters Robotics Team 5927 is a FIRST robotics team, and they do more than just build robots! Students learn to write grants, fundraise, work with local businesses and professionals, travel with the team around the state and so much more for class credit.
Build & Design Crew
As the most hands-on crew, students work directly on the team’s robot, building, fixing and tweaking it until everything’s just right for competition time.
Programming Crew
In this crew, students learn from professional programmers about the different coding languages and how code can make the team’s robot move and complete tasks.
Marketing & Fundraising Crew
Students learn how to manage and update the team website, kick off and run the annual GoFundMe campaign, and run the team’s social media accounts, sharing team updates and accomplishments.
Robotics Scholarship Opportunities
For students hoping to attend college and study engineering or programming, many colleges and universities have exclusive scholarships for FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC®) students.
Community Passport Program
It is important for students to explore new interests and follow their passions. Many students could earn class credit by participating in extracurricular activities. Through our Community Passport Program, students can earn course credit for involvement in art, music and P.E.-related hobbies.
Synergy Sessions
Synergy Sessions are off-campus, in-person adventures designed to build connection among students and staff outside of school during each six-week session. This could be a stewardship project together, a visit to a local business or meeting to enjoy a new park, museum or other venue.
RE:FUEL Café
RE:FUEL iCademy’s student-run coffee shop for middle and high school students. Located on our Homestead Campus in Zeeland, RE:FUEL is open every Tuesday and Thursday from 9 am to 3 pm. Students can enjoy a quiet learning environment where they can work independently, collaborate and foster community.
OAISD Tech Center Opportunities
High school students in their junior or senior year can apply to attend the Careerline Tech Center to take a year-long class in Human Services, Healthcare, Arts and Communications, Construction, Transportation, Manufacturing, Agriculture, or Business & Marketing. The Tech Center provides high-skilled training for high-demand careers in the Ottawa Area.
Additional Educational Opportunities
Dual Enrollment
Students prepared to tackle more advanced concepts while simultaneously earning college and iCademy credit may dual enroll at any college or university. Dual enrollment gives students a head start on their post-secondary education, experiencing the rigor of college classes and potentially saving money on future tuition.
Work-Based Learning
Students looking to start their careers upon graduation have the opportunity to earn iCademy credit for valuable work-based learning experiences. This could be at any place of work, whether the student is a full-time employee, intern or apprentice.
Capstone Travel
All our K-12 students have annual opportunities to join in on their capstone trip each year. The distance and duration of these trips increase as our students progress through grades. While our elementary students take daytrips to exciting new locations within driving distance, our middle school students have the opportunity to travel more regionally. Once students hit high school, our capstone trips alternate each year between broader domestic travel and international travel.
We never want a student to feel left out or miss an opportunity to travel because of financial limitations. In addition to fundraising opportunities throughout the year, we can also provide partial scholarships and work with families on payment plans. We want every student to have the opportunity to embrace stewardship and adventure while learning about culture, history and more.
Special Education & Student Support
Our talented special education teachers on staff ensure that we work toward meeting the goals and objectives outlined in each student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP). For additional therapy services, we contract with outside companies, as needed.
Mentorship and Behavior Support
Students who qualify for special education services based on the categories of disability under IDEA receive support from the Special Education Teacher and/or Ancillary service providers (School Social Worker, Occupational Therapist, Speech and Language Pathologist, and/or Physical Therapist) as stated directly in their IEP. We provide a continuum of services to address the individual student’s needs within the iCademy Global virtual program.
Services occur based on the details of a student’s IEP and take place at the Homestead Campus or virtually. A child’s IEP is updated annually to ensure all accommodations, goals, and services remain appropriate to the child’s needs. Students with special education or behavioral needs will also be assigned a mentor to support them through their iCademy journey.
R.I.S.E. Behavior
Through live lessons, online and in-person communications, independent work, and on any learning devices we expect every student to adhere to the values of Respect, Integrity, Stewardship and Engagement (RISE).
