Academy by Design

God is a designer. We believe that students want to design like Him but don’t know how.  By providing flexible instruction, opportunities for collaboration, faculty mentorship, and hands-on applications, Academy by Design trains students to serve others through innovation.  We believe the need for designers is clear.  Businesses are looking for design-thinkers, especially those who empathize with and are willing to serve others.  We are ready to do school a little differently to help our students answer that call.

Academy by Design is a three-year program that empowers students to purposefully engage with challenges that matter
to them and their communities. Throughout the three years, students in Academy by Design take courses that teach
them to think like designers, collaborate like professionals, and understand the needs of those around them.

Multi-Disciplinary Teams

Equips and trains multidisciplinary student teams to address local, real-world challenges

Design Thinking

Emphasizes an empathic, design-thinking approach to problem solving

Flexible Schedules

Gifts students increasing freedom to uniquely craft their schedules while still meeting state and college readiness requirements

Connections

Actively connects students with experts, internships, and community leaders

Why Academy By Design?

We do school a bit differently by restructuring their schedule so students can invest the time to create solutions for real-world problems with professionals.

We give students the opportunity to show colleges and employers what they can do beyond test scores through their in-depth, project-based experience.

We give students the opportunity to do Christ-centered service, year-round, through applied empathy and design.

As parents, we want to give students time to dive deeply into their God-given passions that we have seen grow in them from a young age, and connect those passions to real-world solutions.

Academic Requirements

All students are welcome to enroll in Academy by Design. Students interested in designing solutions for real world challenges must first enroll in AbD I: Human-Centered Design Project their sophomore year. If students then want to pursue an AbD designation and enjoy the benefits of being part of Academy by Design, it is fully expected that they will enroll in the two remaining AbD courses between their junior and senior years. These courses provide students with experience and skills that culminate in a senior-year design intensive. Students who successfully complete all three years of Academy by Design courses are awarded a “Design Thinking” designation.

Although enrollment in these courses is open to all students, those wanting to pursue the “Design Thinking” designation should contact the Academy by Design Director when enrolling in AbD: Human-Centered Design Project.

Academy By Design Booklet

More information

Design thinking is a powerful tool, and we cannot wait to see our students wield it for the Kingdom of God.  For more information and to see how you could do Academy by Design, download this information booklet.

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Josh Burick

Questions?

Contact Josh Burick

Instructional Technology Director; Science Faculty

630-562-7518
Email