Academics

The 1:1 Human Academic Coach is optional live teaching with a named teacher. The 1:1 Intelligent Coach is included in enrollment.

The 1:1 Intelligent Coach (Intelligence Tutor 1:1) is Mind Orbit Academy’s adaptive coach in Learn: one student, one coach session at a time. It adjusts hints, practice, and pacing. Optional live teaching is the 1:1 Human Academic Coach track.

Intelligence Live Analytics shows learning as it happens: mastery, assessments, time on task, and progress toward grade or credit goals. Students, parents, and (on the Human Academic Coach track) the named specialist use the same live view to update the Individual Development Plan. It is not a delayed report card only.

Practice and many assessments return feedback as soon as the work is submitted. Scores are saved to the student’s learning records and appear in My performance right after completion.

Live analytics, assessment feedback, an individual pathway and study plan, and student choices from grade 6 are included in core enrollment. Enrolled families open them in Learn and My performance.

Families may add a 1:1 Human Academic Coach: a named specialist, one teacher with one student.

• Individual Development Plan written before live hours start and rewritten each term around that child's evidence, goals, exam calendar, language, and field-trip plan.
• Exam tracks: U.S. diploma, AP sequence, SAT/ACT, international English (TOEFL), or dual enrollment where approved. Official exams are sat with the board or college.
• Additional world language (optional sequential study with a live oral) and field trips (local sites, university visits, or occasional academy gatherings).
• Optional Harkness seminar, senior extended research and viva, research methods, arts credit, and a creative/activity/service log. None of these is required for the standard diploma.

Additional tuition is published on Tuition. How it works: apply → named coach → Individual Development Plan → live teaching.

These sit alongside the core diploma. They are not required for graduation unless an Individual Development Plan says so. Most are easiest to staff on the 1:1 Human Academic Coach track.

• Additional world language. Optional sequential language (typically two or more years) with a live oral each year, in addition to core English and any elective already on the transcript. Mother-tongue or a new language. Not required for the standard diploma.
• Senior extended research and viva. Optional Grade 12 research paper (about 4,000 words, annotated sources) plus a 20–30 minute oral defense (viva) with the specialist and, when arranged, a second reader. Builds on the required senior capstone; the viva itself is not required for the standard diploma.
• Harkness seminar. Optional small-group discussion (typically 6–10 students) around a shared text or problem. Graded on listening and argument. Scheduled separately from 1:1 live hours.
• Research methods. Optional 0.5–1 credit: how knowledge is made—sources, evidence, citation, and a short assessed presentation. Useful before extended research, a viva, or dual-enrollment writing.
• Arts credit. Optional visual, music, or theatre credit assessed by portfolio or recital, not a worksheet.
• Creative, activity, and service. Optional documented hours in creative work, physical activity, and service, with a supervisor note and a short annual reflection. Completed locally; verified by the Academy.
• Dual enrollment. Optional 3–6 college credits at a regionally accredited college, when approved, for high school and college credit.

Field trips

In-person visits are optional, locally arranged or academy-organized when offered, and listed on the Individual Development Plan. Travel, tickets, and chaperone costs are separate from tuition. Permission forms are required. This is not a boarding or expedition program.

• Local site visit. Museum, lab, courthouse, farm, nature preserve, or workplace aligned to the year’s capstone or exam track.
• University or college visit. Campus tour or department session when the family can travel; planned in the Individual Development Plan.
• Academy-organized gathering. Occasional regional meet-ups when enough families are in one area. Announced in advance; not a boarding trip.

Advancement and credit are tied to what the student has learned and can do, not only to time in class. Students may follow typical yearly pacing, or move faster when they demonstrate mastery.

Elementary (Kindergarten–5)

Kindergarten follows the same competency-based model as grades 1–5: standards-aligned learning, documented instructional time, and promotion when students demonstrate grade-level mastery. A formal capstone unit in Learn begins in Grade 1.

Middle and high school (6–12)

• Credit is awarded when the student demonstrates mastery of course competencies.
• Students may complete a course in less than a traditional school year when ready.
• Students may complete multiple credits per year and accelerate toward early graduation.

Example accelerated path

• A student completes Algebra I in one semester.
• In the same year, completes an additional math course and earns two mathematics credits.
• By continuing at that pace across subjects, the student may graduate in fewer than four traditional years once credit and competency requirements are met.

Transcripts

Credits are recorded when a student successfully completes course competencies. Official transcripts include completed courses, credits, grades, and graduation date when applicable. Early graduation is recorded as standard graduation once requirements are met.

Progress is measured by mastery and, from grade 6, by Carnegie credits. The outlines below show typical pacing. Accelerated paths allow earlier completion.

Elementary (Kindergarten–5)

Instructional hours are documented as a record of learning. Advancement is by mastery.

Middle school (6–8)

Typical load about 4 credits per year; about 12–16 credits over three years.

High school (9–12)

Minimum about 22 credits; target 24–26+. Typical load about 5.5–6.5 credits per year.

One Carnegie credit is one full-year course (about 120 hours of engagement) in grades 6–12. Credits are earned when students demonstrate mastery, not only by seat time. Capstones run in grades 1–12. Course sequencing may be adjusted for readiness; prerequisites still apply.

See the curriculum and policy document for full course lists.

• How is progress measured? Through standards mastery, assessments, and capstone deliverables. Intelligence Live Analytics shows progress as it happens; many assessments return feedback immediately.
• Can my child choose a path? Yes. Each student follows an individual mastery-based pathway. Students choose capstone topics; from grade 6 they also choose an elective pathway.
• Can my child move faster? Yes. Students who demonstrate readiness can accelerate. Each student follows an individual pathway and a study plan, so families set a schedule that fits their household.
• Will we see records? Yes. Official transcripts and progress records are maintained by the Academy.
• Where are the lessons? After enrollment, open Learn. The full tree is on the Curriculum map.
• When can we start? Enroll any time. After you apply and pay (or are granted access), open Learn.
• What should we review next? Admission and Tuition.