Get to Know the Academy
Morning Glory Academy offers education designed for the future. Learn what happens within the walls—from student life to the curriculum—and beyond.
At Morning Glory Academy, student life is dynamic, meaningful, and rooted in the belief that learners thrive when they are empowered to direct their own learning. Our classrooms are alive with curiosity, collaboration, and creativity—each day designed around the unique needs, interests, and passions of our students.
No two days are exactly alike. While learners work towards mastering grade-appropriate knowledge and skills, they are also given the freedom to pursue their individual interests, explore real-world topics, and dive deeply into subjects that ignite their curiosity. This balance of structure and choice—freedom within limits—is a cornerstone of authentic Montessori education.
Our learners aren’t just passive recipients of information; they are active participants in their education, shaping their daily experiences and discovering how they can make a meaningful impact on the world.
Beyond the Classroom Walls
At Morning Glory Academy, the community and the world become extensions of the classroom. Students explore local ecosystems, study at the beach, visit museums, work alongside community leaders, and even travel abroad to gain global perspectives. Whether studying coastal erosion firsthand or learning about Tanzanian culture through immersive projects, learners develop a deep connection to the world around them.
Where Every Day is an Opportunity for Discovery, Growth, and Purpose
Our Curriculum
At Morning Glory Academy, our curriculum is a powerful fusion of Academics, Creative Arts & Film, and Coming of Age, designed to nurture the whole learner—mind, body, and spirit. We run on a trimester schedule, allowing students to dive deeper into each subject and gain meaningful understanding.
Academic Excellence with Purpose
Through project-based learning and a deepening awareness of the social world, our academic program empowers learners to explore math, science, language arts, social studies, physical education, and current events in ways that are rigorous, relevant, and rooted in real life—using a broad, equity-centered lens to better understand themselves and the people around them.
In their first semester, all students also take three dynamic foundation courses:
Improv – to build confidence, collaboration, and creativity
Intro to Business – to develop entrepreneurial thinking and financial literacy
Intro to Research – to foster curiosity, data literacy, and critical analysis
Our academic approach prepares learners not just for tests, but for thoughtful engagement with the world.
Creative Arts & Film
Through storytelling, learners at Morning Glory Academy discover their voice, sharpen their vision, and build technical mastery in:
Videography
Scriptwriting
Acting & Directing
Audio/Visual Editing
Music Production & Instrumentation
Rooted in self-expression and empathy, our Creative Arts & Film program invites learners to examine their identities, elevate untold stories in their communities, and use their creativity to engage with real-world issues.
One of the core projects in this space is a deeply personal documentation of each learner’s journey through adolescence. This culminating piece—crafted with care and intention—is presented to families and the community during their Rites of Passage Ceremony, marking the powerful conclusion of their Coming of Age experience.
Coming of Age: Culture, Connection, and Growth
Across history and cultures, Coming of Age has always marked a sacred and transformative period—a time when young people are intentionally guided from childhood into adulthood with care, ceremony, and community. At Morning Glory Academy, we honor this tradition by creating a meaningful and personalized rite of passage for every learner.
We believe adolescence is not simply a phase to “get through”—it is a powerful journey of purpose, identity, and becoming. This time is full of rapid intellectual, emotional, and physical growth. Rather than rush through it, we walk alongside our learners, holding space for reflection, responsibility, and reconnection with self, family, and culture.
Our Coming of Age program is a cornerstone of our curriculum. Each learner collaborates with their coach, caregivers, and trusted adults to create a customized plan that reflects their cultural identity, personal aspirations, values, and lived experiences. This journey is not about fitting into a mold—it’s about becoming fully themselves.
Through intentional teaching, exploration, and mentorship, learners will:
Engage in deep cultural exploration and personal storytelling to understand where they come from and where they’re going
Develop essential life skills like budgeting, leadership, health and wellness, communication, and conflict resolution
Identify and work toward community-defined milestones that matter to them and their families
Choose a Coming of Age cohort—a group of peers, family members, and community mentors—to support, guide, and celebrate them along the way
Each learner documents their journey, culminating in a powerful creative project that captures their growth and voice. This work is shared during our Rites of Passage Ceremony—a moving celebration that honors who they have become and the path they are choosing to walk.
At Morning Glory Academy, Coming of Age isn’t a one-time event—it’s a living process of reflection, resilience, and readiness for the world. Through this journey, our students don’t just grow older—they grow rooted, self-aware, and purpose-filled.
Coaching: A Cornerstone of Growth
Every learner at Morning Glory Academy is supported by a certified coach who helps them set goals, overcome challenges, and meet personal milestones. Coaching sessions are embedded into the school experience and tailored to each learner's development. This one-on-one support ensures students are not only academically successful but also emotionally grounded and future-ready.
The Montessori Difference: Freedom with Purpose
At Morning Glory Academy, we believe that true learning happens when students have the freedom to explore while being held to high expectations of effort, responsibility, and engagement. Our students are not just given choices—they are taught to make intentional, thoughtful decisions about their education and future.
Our environment encourages independence, creativity, and exploration, but it also requires commitment, accountability, and perseverance. Learners are expected to approach their work with purpose, curiosity, and integrity, taking ownership of their learning journey.
What This Looks Like in Practice:
Student-Led Learning – Learners are guided by their passions while meeting academic milestones, taking initiative to engage deeply in their studies and push themselves beyond their comfort zones.
Flexible Schedules with Clear Expectations – Days are shaped by students’ needs and interests, not rigid bells and timelines, but with the expectation that they use their time wisely and commit fully to their projects and responsibilities.
Hands-On Experiences with Real Impact – Learning extends beyond textbooks, requiring students to apply their knowledge through meaningful, purpose-driven projects that demonstrate depth, creativity, and mastery.
Choice with Responsibility – Students make daily decisions about their learning, but with the understanding that every choice carries accountability. They must set goals, meet deadlines, and contribute positively to their community.
Outdoor Exploration with Purpose – Nature is a vital part of our classroom, not just for recreation but for scientific inquiry, ecological responsibility, and mindfulness practices that foster a deep connection to the world.
A Community-Centered Approach – Students collaborate across age groups, mentor peers, and contribute meaningfully to the community, knowing that their efforts matter and that they play a role in shaping a positive, respectful learning environment.
At Morning Glory Academy, freedom comes with responsibility. We challenge students to show up fully, give their best effort, and actively engage in their learning. By fostering both independence and accountability, we prepare learners not just to succeed in school, but to thrive in life.
Imagine a Montessori adolescent environment that serves as a bridge between childhood and adulthood, nurturing the unique needs and potential of 12-18 year olds. In this space, young people are immersed in experiences that connect them deeply to each other, their community, and the natural world around them.
The environment is designed to reflect the full richness and complexity of adult life, providing opportunities for academic exploration, practical skill-building, and meaningful social engagement. Adolescents participate in real, purposeful work that contributes to the well-being of their community, developing a sense of responsibility and self-efficacy.
Woven throughout the program is an emphasis on understanding and appreciating the interconnectedness of all life. Adolescents venture out into the world, exploring local businesses, conducting studies at the beach and in state parks, going abroad to explore different cultures and natural wonders, and uncovering the hidden gems in their own backyards. They develop an intimate knowledge of their bioregion and an ecological consciousness.
Inspired by Maria Montessori's vision of the Erdkinder, or "land children," this modern embodiment of the farm school model grounds adolescents in the rhythms and relationships of the natural world. They learn to be stewards of the earth, understanding the delicate balance between human activity and the planet's well-being.
In this environment, adolescents find liberation through connection - to themselves, to each other, to their community, and to the living world around them. They emerge as empowered, compassionate, and resilient adults, ready to take their place as agents of positive change in the world.
Envisioning the Adolescent Classroom
