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A self-aware child is equipped to understand their emotions, thoughts, and principles. Beyond that, they can discern the effect these things will have on their behavior.

If a playground bully cuts in front of a self-aware child who is waiting to play foursquare, they’ll understand what’s bubbling up inside of them. The self-aware child will identify the emotions as anger or hurt. They will recognize that if they don’t get a hold on these emotions, they could spill over into the classroom.

In addition, self-aware children should be able to critically view personal strengths and weaknesses and assess opportunities for growth. For example, if a self-aware child is good at math and science, they would recognize this aptitude and be disposed to join the school STEM club. Conversely, if they have no interest in or aptitude for athletics, they would not fall to pieces if they weren’t chosen to lead out on the school’s basketball team.

Strong self-awareness is crucial to social-emotional development. The sooner you can help your child develop self-awareness, the more prepared they will be to succeed in and out of the classroom.

How can parents contribute to their child’s self-awareness? It may not be as ambiguous a task as you’d think. Likely, you’re already using some of these techniques. But to most effectively nurture a child’s self-awareness, you should be mindful of the tools at your disposal and take advantage of every opportunity to leverage them for good.

We polled our Atlanta private school teachers for ideas. Here’s what they had to say:

Make a list.

Sit down with your kids and ask them to name some things they appreciate about themselves. Point them in the right direction by beginning with one or two positive attributes you see in them. For example, you could say, “I love how you love giving gifts to others. You’re so generous!” Then write down generosity as a positive trait, and allow the student to continue by naming other exemplary qualities. You don’t need to point out weaknesses here, but the exercise might naturally trigger your child to consider areas that need shoring up.

Play a game of “what if?”

Present a variety of scenarios that your kids might find themselves in. “What if your friends were talking bad about someone else at school?” “What if a friend asked you to shoplift at a store?” “What if someone called you a mean name at school?”

Encourage kids to discuss how they might feel, think, and behave if such a situation happened to them. Ask them if they’ve ever found themselves in a similar situation, and allow them to share how they felt and reacted. This is a great way to get an inside look at where each child is on their journey to self-awareness and the way they process various situations and emotions.

Create an emotion journal.

Get out the craft supplies and allow your child to channel their creativity into an Emotion Journal. Provide pages with daily prompts for expressive journaling such as, “Today I Feel…” followed by a list of emotions, or even pictures displaying the following options:

• Happy
• Sad
• Embarrassed
• Surprised
• Anxious
• Angry
• Excited
• Tired

Follow this prompt with a space for your child to journal or draw about why they are feeling this way.

According to WebMD, expressive writing is a great way to regulate emotions. They note, “Brain scans of people who wrote about their feelings showed that they were able to control their emotions better than those who wrote about a neutral experience.”

Journaling about feelings and emotions is a practice that both adults and children can find highly beneficial. It will encourage and improve self-awareness.

Set realistic goals.

Encourage your child to consider areas that could use some work. Then, help them to come up with a list of steps that they could take to improve in these areas. For example, suppose a student recognizes that he struggles with regulating his anger. In that case, he might decide that one way to help himself avoid angry outbursts would be to take five deep breaths when he feels the emotion getting ready to strike.

Help your child set realistic “big goals” with a series of “little goals” to help them reach those major milestones. Try to let them do as much of the brainstorming as possible. Children are always more likely to follow techniques they come up with themselves.

Point out their strengths.

It’s no secret that positive reinforcement is the best way to nurture exemplary behavior in children (and adults as well). Don’t hold back on verbally praising your kids when their strengths shine. Take it a step further by writing them a note and leaving it on their desk, or even sending it to them in the mail.

Highlight a situation where you noticed your child responding positively, or congratulate them on the growth that you’ve witnessed in a specific area. This reinforcement will foster an environment where kids can thrive.

Mirror self-awareness.

“Monkey see, monkey do.” The same is true with children! By being mindful of improving your own self-awareness, you’ll be better prepared to model healthy self-awareness to your children. Take the time to share with your kids how various situations have made you feel or react, even if those feelings and reactions were not all positive. This will go a long way in helping your kids become more comfortable with examining and articulating their own emotions and behavior.

Teaching self-awareness to your children is the key to a healthy learning environment. By understanding their own emotions and responses, kids will find it easier to consider the feelings and actions of others. This will help them be more empathetic. They will also be able to regulate their emotions better, leading to improved behavior in the classroom and beyond.

Finally, children who can effectively communicate their feelings will develop healthier relationships with their teachers and classmates. To create a learning culture where students can thrive, self-awareness must be given a seat in the classroom.

If you’ve been praying for the perfect Christian private school for your children, we’re here to help. There are so many private schools out there, and we know how protective you are of your impressionable scholars who will make their mark on this world in a big way. You’re passionate about finding a Christian-based school to help them shine, learn and grow to their potential. Here are seven questions to ask yourself while browsing Christian elementary schools.

1. Are They Committed to Their Faith?

One of the reasons you want your children to attend a Christian school is to be surrounded by like-minded people who will help your child strengthen their faith. Is this an actual Christ-centered environment, or is it just advertised as such? Do the faculty members genuinely love Jesus and know his teachings? Are Christian values integrated into the curriculum? What makes them a Christian school?

2. Do they Offer a Top-Notch Education?

If you’re paying for a private school, you should only settle for a school with a positive academic reputation, first-class facilities, and a well-kept environment. Ask to meet some of the staff and get a feel for the culture at the school. What are their ratings? Private school education should get your child ahead, not behind.

The religious aspect is, of course, a crucial element. But religion without academics is basically church. Make sure to send your child to a school with highly esteemed core academics that align with prominent Christian values. At The Academy of Scholars, we offer an ideal balance of faith and academia in an environment that promotes intellectual, moral, and spiritual growth.

3. Is it a Safe Environment?

We can’t ignore the devastating events that have plagued schools across our nation. Above anything else, parents want their kids to be safe. Not only do they want them physically safe, but they want them to feel mentally and emotionally safe in a nurturing environment.

Ask about all safety measures, protocols, and practices. What’s the protocol for people coming onto campus? How will faculty members handle an active shooter or other threats? Do they have regular drills to help students know how to react? If you’re uncomfortable with in-person school, consider a Christian homeschool curriculum offered online.

4. Do They Care About Their Students?

It’s hard to send our little ones to school at a young age, but it’s much easier when we know their teachers care about them. Christian school teachers should not only love God but should also genuinely love their students. Make sure that is the case at your child’s private school. An exceptional teacher recognizes that each child has a unique learning style. They should take the time to understand what works for each child and have a plan for teaching them accordingly.

Consider class size. If a class is too big, there won’t be much opportunity for tailoring learning. Your child could get lost in the shuffle or fall behind. An excellent Christian school will allow students to focus on subjects that interest them so they can excel in the areas where they shine.

Ask about special programs to help kids who need more challenging work or less challenging work. Check on the certifications of the teachers.

5. Do They Practice Positive Reinforcement?

Research shows that genuine positive reinforcement is critical. Our children work well with praise and positivity. Finding a school that fosters a positive learning environment is crucial. Ask what steps teachers take to motivate students to reach their full potential.

You should also find out how they foster positivity among students. Ask how they handle bullying and harassment. Most Christian schools have a zero-tolerance policy regarding any form of bullying. It’s essential to ensure that the school not only has the policy but enforces it and takes action when incidents of bullying and harassment do occur. Peers should surround your child with the same goal: to grow and thrive in a wholesome, faith-based environment.

6. Are They Honest and Transparent?

When searching for a private faith-based academy for your child, look for an institution that maintains full transparency regarding your child’s education. Fortunately, most Christian schools are built on values of honesty and encourage a tight-knit community, including parental involvement.

As a parent, you have a right to ask any question you want and get a clear and honest answer. You can get a feel for whether a school is transparent by asking questions from the get-go and observing their responses.

Check out a school’s online reviews. They should be overwhelmingly positive, but there may be a negative one or two in the mix. If so, see how the school responded to the review and what they did to make the situation better. Acknowledging weaknesses and working to make them better is a positive sign.

7. What type of Extracurricular Activities do they Offer?

The daily academic aspect is vital, but the extracurricular activities may be what your child looks forward to most. Do they have sports, clubs, or advanced learning opportunities that your child is interested in? Are their programs organized and well-run? Having endless possibilities in and out of the classroom can exponentially help your child’s developmental success. Plus, so much hard work inside the classroom deserves some fun outside the classroom.

If this is your first time trying to find a Christian school, make sure to follow your instincts, ask the right questions and ponder which environment will allow your child to shine while growing in faith and contributing to Christ’s ministry in a meaningful way. At The Academy of Scholars, we are a private Christian school with both online and in-person options. We strive everyday to cultivate a healthy, safe, engaging, and faith-rich education. Contact us to learn more.

From a parent’s vantage point, the world can seem like a troubling place. The dangers of cyberbullying may keep you up at night. Then there are the devastating tide pools of social-media driven comparison for our kids to slip into. And finally, there are the concerning points of public school curriculum that conflict with Christian values.

What kids need most as they navigate this social media-centered and content-crazy world is a strong, Christ-centered foundation. This is the enduring basis for positive self-love from an early age.

Even though it seems as if we are constantly fighting against a world that is trying to take God out of everything, we can remain hopeful as we turn to the Bible and remain steadfast in God’s word. Here are five ways to help our kids build strong self-esteem anchored in Jesus Christ.

1. Be Present

As a parent, life can get so busy that it’s hard to catch your breath. You’re trying to balance your own work and home obligations with the responsibility to get your kids to sports practices, medical appointments, school obligations, and more. However, it’s important to remind yourself that all responsibilities come second to loving and ministering to your children.

In the formative years of elementary school, children need love, nurturing, and attention. Sometimes we don’t realize when we become physically and emotionally absent because of our overwhelming schedule and other distractions.

Lead with a Christlike love, always. Actions speak louder than words, and when our actions show our children how much we value their feelings, we teach them to be independent and self-confident Christians who will pass these same principles and practices to their kids someday.

It’s our job to cultivate a safe environment, and they will spread their light and self-confidence wherever they go, including school.

2. Lead by Example

At The Academy of Scholars, we place a high value on leading by example. If you wouldn’t want your child to say something to themselves, don’t say it about yourself in front of them. Our children look up to us, watch us and absorb our every word and action.

Be self-aware about what you say and do in front of their little eyes and ears. Be careful when it comes to obsessing over weight, dwelling on a past mistake, and comparing yourself to others. If you do it, you can’t expect your child not to pick up on it. Teach your children that they don’t have to perform a certain way to gain your or Jesus’s love; it’s there unconditionally.

3. Encourage Wholesome Extracurricular Activities

Preschool and elementary years will mold our children in more ways than one. It’s essential to encourage wholesome, Christian-based activities and teach our children the importance of balance so they can grow intellectually, spiritually, physically, and socially.

Make sure that kids balance out their self-development with service toward others. Matthew 5:16 reads: “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Teach your children to love serving others from a young age, and they will carry that passion with them throughout their life. Teach them to love school, sports, academic clubs, and church not just as a means of self-development but because it helps them learn from others, bless others, and become more like Jesus.

4. Prepare Them for Uncomfortable Situations

It’s much easier to make the right decision when put on the spot if we’ve prepared for the right scenario and determined in advance how to react. Teaching your children what is right and wrong will help them to confidently and proudly make good decisions and not feel blindsided and confused when challenging situations arise.

Teach them healthy coping strategies and how to implement them in real life. This might include teaching them how to respond to bullying, peer pressure (Isaiah 59:2), or overwhelming emotions. We know you might be thinking, “I don’t even have the coping skills myself,” but have faith in yourself, lean on God for strength, and follow the nudges of the Holy Spirit to guide you in preparing your child for scary and inevitable situations. Don’t forget to teach your children the goodness of prayer and the comfort of turning to Jesus.

5. Monitor Their Internet Usage

Your kids may hate you for it now, but they’ll love you for it later. Sometimes it’s hard to feel like we’re invading our child’s privacy. Still, it’s our job to help them avoid exposure to harmful content that could rewire our brains and initiate harmful addictions at a young age.

Giving our children free reign on the internet is a disservice to them. Some ideas for monitoring the internet may include:

• Waiting until they reach a mature age to give them a cell phone
• Putting parental controls on their phones
• Having them turn their phones in at night
• Regularly checking text messages on their phones and search history on their devices

In today’s complex and conflicted world, children face identity crises earlier than ever. At our Christian academy, we are proud to assist our students in discovering their divine purpose on this earth, their worth in the eyes of God, and their potential as God-fearing academics. We teach our students that their value is not tied to what they wear, do or say but to what Jesus did for them on the cross.

The world is scary, but we can certainly teach our children to create a Christ-centered environment filled with self-love, healthy communication, and good decision-making. Your role as their parent is the most crucial role in their life, and we promise that we will continue cultivating the supportive, interactive, and nurturing environment your child receives at home. Whether you enroll your child in our Christian homeschool curriculum or our interactive in-person academy, we offer a quality education anchored in strong Christian values.

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Cyberbullying’s risks might keep you up at night. Kids need a solid, Christ-centered foundation as they handle this social media and content-centered world. It is a parent’s responsibility to create a secure atmosphere, therefore teach your kids that Jesus and you adore them unconditionally; they don’t need to earn it.

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Computer science isn’t just the future for our children; it’s the present.

Physical textbooks, DVDs, and CDs are becoming obsolete as our society becomes less patient and more technologically advanced. Why take the time to grab a DVD and mess with a DVD player when you can pull Netflix up with the push of a button?

When Covid-19 shook our world, it opened our eyes to how much time and money we can save by ditching in-person work and physical supplies and replacing them with remote work and digital supplies. Computer science and literacy are as necessary for this day as anything.

Applying computer science-related practices to early childhood education helps educators to extend what they are doing in the classroom. It supports play-based pedagogy, which is well-suited for early childhood education. Computer science is a great way to guide young learners in noticing, naming, and recognizing how computing shapes their world. Computer science is well-designed for early childhood education and offers an environment where children combine knowledge and playing, making learning an enjoyable experience for them. Here are five advantages of teaching computer science to young learners.

1. Children Excel Through Social-Emotional Learning

Aristotle said, “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” Believe it or not, social-emotional learning and computer science are interconnected. Social-emotional learning (SEL) represents how children develop vital self-awareness, self-control, interpersonal skills, and emotional intelligence. The result of SEL is empathetic and self-aware children who can build positive relationships and be successful in school, work, and daily life.

Kids immersed in computer science, robotics, and other STEM projects work on their computational thinking. This level of thinking cultivates the necessary skills for recognizing patterns and finding solutions to coding issues. It also aids in navigating social and emotional situations.

Computer science also requires teamwork in which different team members can share and listen to one another’s ideas to create the best product. This type of learning sets a solid foundation for social and emotional skills vital for daily and professional success.

2. Children Get Exposure to our Global Landscape

Thanks to the pandemic, our world is more digitized than ever. It was fascinating how schools, businesses, and everything else transitioned to online platforms. Those who were not as tech savvy were scrambling to learn the computer skills needed to stay afloat. On the other hand, Millennials and Gen Zs with above-par computer literacy didn’t skip a beat.

The pivot toward tech showed us all how vital computer science is for our children if they hope to navigate this ever-changing world. We learned that even the youngest of kids could master tech skills. If we can capitalize on this aptitude, we can give kids an edge for when they enter the workforce.

Computer science is a part of our global landscape whether we like it or not. Our society lives and breathes technology, and while there are concerns about kids misusing technology, we can set healthy boundaries while giving kids the tools they need to use computers in positive, productive ways.

3. Children Develop Computational Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills

Problem-solving is one of the most important skills a child will gain through computer science. Computer science encourages children to find solutions to their problems independently. When learning programming and computational thinking, their minds practice thinking logically, breaking down a problem, and then tackling it piece by piece. This pattern can be applied to other aspects of life.

In addition, children who may otherwise have anxiety under pressure learn how to think on their feet and visualize a solution. These are vital skills for those who may go into high-pressure jobs.

4. Children Learn Self-Awareness and Self-Management

Self-aware children can effectively process their thoughts and emotions, which shows maturity. Self-aware people are efficient at determining their strengths, weaknesses, and personal interests.

Computer science helps students to develop self-awareness. Coding requires trial and error and lots of debugging. We can encourage children to develop self-awareness by reinforcing a problem-solving mindset that continually strives for growth.

Computer-related tasks give way to reflection and emotion identification as kids decide what went well and what didn’t and figure out how to stay calm and try again. They become resilient, independent thinkers who are not afraid to face problems head-on.

And if kids think coding isn’t for them, you can find all kinds of ways to intertwine it with their hobbies and interests to make it relevant. Whether your child loves dinosaurs or fast cars or cooking, there’s a coding project for that!

5. Children Learn the Importance of Sequencing

Sequencing shows up in all aspects of life. It allows us to organize our homes and triage work in the office. It helps us become better at math as we learn to process different sequences of numbers. It helps us excel in English, as we learn to organize our thoughts for compelling communications.

Sequencing is at the heart of computer science and prepares students to master this important skill. As children learn to program computers, they must use sequencing to convey precise and complex instructions. This sequencing mentality will carry over to other arenas of life.

Whether your child is enrolled in an online virtual school or an in-person private school in Atlanta, computer science classes will equip them for their future and give them the necessary skills for this digital and ever-changing world.

Parents who keep their children away from technology may unintentionally do them a big disservice. Computer science will only get more and more complex and more and more necessary. Your child is going to cross paths with technology one way or another; why not get them started early on to help them excel?

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Computer science is more important than ever. Early school educators can expand their lessons by incorporating computer science-related practices. It promotes play-based teaching, ideal for early childhood education. There is a connection between computer science and socio-emotional development. Children have a competitive advantage of this aptitude as they grow older.

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There are many reasons in-person school may not be the best fit for your child. If so, you may have considered online school. While online school isn’t for everyone, it’s the perfect fit for many. It can provide the tools to succeed during the schooling years—and in life. If you’re weighing the prospects of online school, here are just a few of the benefits.

1. Personalization

All children have varying strengths and weaknesses. The better you can cater to those, the better off their education will be. That’s the problem with the one-size-fits-all education that is all too common in in-person schooling.

One of the big advantages of online schooling is that it offers a more customized education. Kids aren’t distracted by a classroom full of other students monopolizing the teachers’ attention or distracting your student. The communication stays between your child and their educator. Through online learning, teachers can narrow their focus to fit their students’ needs without the commotion of dozens of other students in the background.

2. Flexibility

Online education allows you to work at your own comfortable pace and linger in areas where you may need extra practice. Need to spend more time on math and less on English? This is possible without the rigid deadlines of in-person school.

Online school also accommodates different lifestyles, aptitude levels, and circumstances. A child who often travels with their parents may be getting the education of a lifetime from their experiences. They won’t need to give those up because they can access their schoolwork from anywhere in the world right from their laptop. Flexibility is one of the most appealing aspects of online learning. For some families, it’s a no-brainer to choose an online institution.

3. Early Practice with Technology

Our world shifted almost entirely to online everything when the pandemic hit. If you need to learn to work Zoom or navigate online portals, you’re a step behind. Covid-19 may have ignited the shift, but companies around the globe saw the benefits of remote work and online environments, and many decided to stay on that path with no change in sight.

With the workforce focusing so much on digital environments, why not get our children used to that through online learning? That way, they won’t have to face a nerve-racking learning curve in a future job.

4. Reduced Costs

An online school is often more affordable as you’ll save money on transportation, physical textbooks, and other materials. A bonus is that you won’t have to worry about your child losing that expensive math textbook or that unique calculator you sent them off to school with. Students can view their online materials as many times as they want.

5. Supports a Range of Learning Styles

Students who struggle to focus in a classroom may thrive online. Students who are shy and not assertive may find better opportunities to participate in online class discussions. Working from your own space and choosing what works for your learning style can lead to a more prosperous and enjoyable learning experience.

6. Real-time Assessment Tools

Online platforms allow teachers to collect data and track their students’ performance. Most online schools have excellent data tools to track each student individually, allowing teachers to adjust their teaching through trial and error. Teachers don’t often get that luxury with in-person learning.

7. Time Management and Self-Discipline

If you ask a handful of working-class people who are nearing retirement which skill they wish they had been better at, chances are a good amount will say time management. Time management and self-discipline are foundation-setting skills that will aid your children in every facet of their endeavors.

Online learning enhances these skills and sets children up to be independent, efficient, and self-discerned. Most online curriculums are similar to college curriculums where kids bear more responsibility for pacing themselves. This can throw plenty of college freshmen for a loop, but your child will have mastered those skills in online school. Their transition to university academics will be far smoother thanks to the framework of online school.

Many parents don’t feel right about sending their children to in-person school but fear they won’t be adequate teachers in a homeschool setting. Online learning is a great solution. Parents can feel in control and a part of their child’s education without having the sole responsibility.

You know your child best. You know their strengths and weaknesses. You know which environment they’ll shine in. At The Academy of Scholars, we are a private Christian school that offers both in-person and virtual school options. We believe that every child is unique with a unique mind and a unique learning style. Our goal is to prepare our scholars to meet their full potential intellectually, spiritually, morally, physically and socially while feeling safe, supported and loved. Whether online or in person, school should be a positive experience that will equip your child for a lifetime of excellence.

As parents, we want our children to be happy and prosperous. We also want them to be ‘good’ people and positive societal contributors. Considering kids will spend roughly 14 of their first 18 years in some form of school, what they learn there matters.

In the mid-1970s, at least two-thirds of the country had confidence that the public school system was giving children the academic and ethical foundations they needed to thrive as adults. This year, however, a Gallup poll shows that confidence in public education has eroded to a paltry 28%.

There are several reasons why an increasing number of parents wants to pull their children out of public education. Some of the main ones include:

• Poor academic performance
• Bullying and other forms of school violence
• A secular environment often hostile to religious observance
• Rampant drug, alcohol, and tobacco use
• Lack of individualized, empathic teaching

Looking for alternative options, many parents are turning to Christian independent schools to give their children a safer, smarter, and more values-driven education. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the benefits of a faith-based education:

Academic Excellence

Christian schools have repeatedly proven that you don’t sacrifice academic rigor or success when you add religion to the educational mix. According to a National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES) 2019 report, an overwhelming majority of private schools have some religious foundation.

It’s also well-documented that Independent school students regularly outperform their public school peers in college placement testing and other secondary school achievement standards. Adding a religious perspective doesn’t detract from student success, and anecdotal evidence suggests it might even increase it.

Focus on Integrity, Character Building

Philosopher Samuel Johnson said, “Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, and knowledge without integrity is dangerous and dreadful.” More than a century later, the great Mahatma Gandhi echoed that sentiment, including “Knowledge without character” as one of the seven deadly sins of humanity.

Once upon a time, Bible teachings formed the bulk of character education in public schools. Scripture stories taught kids not to cheat, to tell the truth, to love their neighbor, to treat others fairly, and to work hard. But when these were deleted from the government-run curriculum, many important character lessons went with them. What followed has been a steady rise in school violence, absenteeism, bullying, cheating, and moral relativism.

Independent Christian schools believe that for children to succeed in life, their education needs to include a fundamentally religious foundation and accountability to a higher power (God). Many schools supplement their curriculum with daily prayer, Bible study, and church services to create unity and promote a sense of family within the student body.

Supportive of Religious Values Learned at Home

Parents have the right and the responsibility to pass on their values and morals to their children. For Christians, that includes teaching our kids about God and the truths in the Bible. That’s difficult to achieve when administrators, teachers, and even fellow students constantly antagonize, belittle, or outright attack what you are trying to teach your kids in the home.

A public school science teacher might openly call out your child for being “stupid” or “naive” to believe that God created the earth (yes, this happens more often than not, unfortunately). However, a faith-filled educator might instead discuss how creation and species development fit in with the idea of a supreme creator. At the very least, private school teachers don’t have to limit their religious expression according to state and county dictates, which means children will feel comfortable sharing faith experiences.

Individual Attention

Overall, private schools typically have smaller class sizes, which allows teachers to get to know and mentor their students. In a Christian environment, teachers can guide young scholars to learn how they can strengthen their knowledge and deepen their faith at the same time. Parents also know that educators will address their kids’ questions and concerns through a lens of similar values and core beliefs.

Strong Emphasis on Service

Service, the idea of giving back to the community, represents the cornerstone of any Christian education. After all, we are teaching our kids to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ and to do the things he did. And while public institutions have placed a strong emphasis on service learning in recent years, community involvement is practically second nature to kids in private Christian schools like The Academy of Scholars here in Atlanta.

And when so encouraged, youngsters show amazing creativity in coming up with ways to serve. We’ve seen Christian school students help beautify campuses, make and distribute reusable shopping bags, and organize Special Olympics tournaments.

If you would like to learn more about how a private Christian education can benefit your child, please call us at 678-632-6001 or visit our Contact page.

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As education becomes increasingly important today, more families are considering private Christian schools as an alternative to traditional public schools. Private Christian schools provide a faith-based education emphasizing values, character development, and academic excellence. Additionally, these schools often offer smaller classes, more individual attention, and a safe and nurturing environment. This infographic explores why more families choose private Christian schools for their children’s education.

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Who says you have to be an adult to own a successful business?

No one, at least not anymore. Some of the nation’s brightest entrepreneurs weren’t even old enough to drive when they first started, and a few in the group we have compiled for you are still under voting age. Yet, armed with grit and ready to work, these young stars have found ways to live out their dreams while still in their teens.

Entrepreneurship is nothing new. Throughout history, people have felt driven to experiment and create great things, from George Washington Carver to Steve Jobs. However, teaching entrepreneurship to school-aged children has been relatively new in the last few decades. From 2009 to 2015, the number of states that introduced proficiencies for entrepreneurship in K-12 education rose by 23, from 19 out of 50 states to 42 out of 50.

Public and independent schools alike are seeing the distinct advantages of helping kids learn entrepreneurial skills like critical thinking, creative problem-solving, teamwork, and communication. And here at The Academy of Scholars, we say it’s never too early to start. Our private elementary school students are taught how to launch online businesses and optimize sales funnels. They’re grasping these concepts and running with them.

As they learn to become Kidpreneurs, here are several of the role models they look to for inspiration:

Moziah Bridges – Mo’s Bows

In 2011, Moziah wanted a distinctive bow tie to complete his look, but he couldn’t find any that fit the bill in the clothing stores around Memphis. Not to be deterred, this 9-year-old style icon went to his granny for assistance in making a bow tie out of her old scrap fabric. Word spread quickly that Mo’s bow ties were the accessory to have, and Mo’s Bows was born.

Young Mr. Bridges appeared on ABC’s Shark Tank, and though he didn’t get a deal, he was offered free mentorship from legendary investor Daymond John, CEO of FUBU. And it looks like the lessons stuck. Today, Mo is making people happy around the globe with bow ties, pocket squares, neckties, and other fashion-forward accessories, and his net worth is around $2 million. Not bad for a kid who just wanted to look good.

Essynce Moore – Essynce Couture

Essynce Moore knew she wanted to be a fashionista at six years old. In 2013, at age 10, she turned her fashion design doodles into the launch of her own branded clothing line for children, tweens, and teens, called Essynce Couture. Later, she would add body care products, such as lip gloss and soap, under the label “Wynk” by EC.

And if that weren’t enough to keep her busy, in 2015, she started the Essynce Couture Spa & Boutique exclusively for the non-adult set and finished writing her first book in what would turn out to be a three-book series. Oh, and did we mention that she had to go to school this whole time?

This enterprising Jersey girl has lit up the runways at New York’s Fashion Weeks and Atlanta Kids Fashion Week and has been featured by various media outlets, including NBC, BET, and Verizon Fios News. She’s also an actress and motivational speaker. Is there anything she can’t do? We don’t think so.

Mikaila Ulmer – Me & the Bees Lemonade

What’s the connection between an elementary school girl, a few bees, and a very old cookbook? A multimillion-dollar lemonade business, that’s what. When four-year-old Mikaila Ulmer was stung by bees twice in the course of a little more than a week, the last thing she probably wanted to do was devote her budding entrepreneurial efforts to saving the honey bee. And yet that’s precisely what she did.

Encouraged by her parents to research bees so she wouldn’t fear them in the future, she discovered how important these little critters are to our ecosystem and how we need to protect them. Couple that with the desire to develop a new business idea and a lemonade recipe in a 1940s cookbook she received from her Great Granny Helen, and her lemonade company was born.

Using honey instead of sugar in her flaxseed lemonade recipe, this Austin native took the juice world by storm and became a millionaire before middle school. But with all that success, Mikaila hasn’t forgotten about the lowly insect that started her on this quest. When she’s not in school or running her business, she’s out leading ‘Save the Bees’ workshops and authoring books on social entrepreneurship. Me & the Bees Lemonade also donates a percentage of its profits to local and global charities that protect bees and support responsible honey harvesting.

Cory “Mr. Cory” Nieves – Mr. Cory’s Cookies

In 2009, this scrappy six-year-old decided he didn’t want to take the bus to school anymore. It was time to get a car! So Cory started selling hot cocoa and cookies to earn the necessary cash. He and his mom experimented with several different ingredients and finally came up with the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe.

While the cookies were popular with the locals, the business hadn’t quite taken off yet (at least not enough to buy a car). Mr. Cory’s luck changed when he and his cookies caught the attention of Ellen DeGeneres in 2014. He and his mom were invited as guests to her show and offered a brand-new car and $10,000 in seed money. Mr. Cory’s Cookies took off.

At 17, Mr. Cory continues to head his successful cookie business, delivering fresh-baked, high-quality treats to customers all over the nation. He has also starred on MasterChef Jr., was featured in Season 5 of Marcus Lemonis’ series The Profit, and is slated to host a reality TV competition show sometime soon.

Emmanuella Mayaki – Web Designer, Teacher

Nigerian-born Emmanuella Mayaki first discovered computers at the tender age of 6. This brilliant young lady started her career by mastering Microsoft applications like Excel and PowerPoint and quickly gained fluency in HTML, CSS, Java, and Python.

As much as Emma loves programming and coding, she’s even more passionate about sharing that knowledge with others, especially girls. In 2019, at age 10, she was hired to teach an after-school coding club at Southfield Primary School in Coventry, England. A year later, she started similar after-school and holiday coding clubs in Nigeria and founded Emma’s ICT (information communications technology) Academy in the country’s capital, Abuja.

In 2021, CBBC’s My Life series spotlighted her for International Women’s Day, and this past May, she was nominated by STEM Kids New York City as a STEM icon. Next spring, Emma will again break barriers as the youngest person to attend an American university. She has been accepted to the Program for the Exceptionally Gifted (PEG) at Mary Baldwin University in Staunton, Virginia. Her major? Computer Science, of course.

As entrepreneurial education continues to take hold in schools around the nation, we expect to see a whole new generation of kidpreneurs who will actively reshape the world of business and social engagement. Who knows, one of them might be your child.