Frequently Asked Questions
Check out our FAQs, below, to answer many of your questions about Ai² - Academy of Inspirations and Innovation. If you have further questions that are not answered here, please email, interest@aisquared.org, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
What does "Hybrid" mean?
At Ai², we've reimagined what hybrid learning can be for today's young people. Explore our approach to balanced, purposeful education.
Understanding Our Hybrid Approach
Not What You Think
At Ai², hybrid does not mean what most families think of when they hear the word. Many programs use "hybrid" to mean a lot of online coursework with minimal in-person time — often little more than a weekly study hall. Teens and tweens today are already online more than enough, and we refuse to add to that.
Our Definition
Our version of hybrid is radically different. At Ai², hybrid means:
- Independent learning at home, guided by clear challenges and high-quality materials we provide.
- High-value, in-person collaboration during our three on-campus days, where learners engage in Socratic discussions, labs, problem-solving, and team-based Ventures.
Limited Online Tools
Online tools may be used occasionally (such as an optional adaptive math platform, newsletters, or updates), but they are never the foundation of our program. Instead, learners are reading, writing, building, experimenting, and preparing at home — then coming to school ready to contribute to hands-on, collaborative learning that can't be replicated online.
The Balance of On-Campus vs. Off-Campus Learning
Our Deliberate Balance
At Ai², hybrid does not mean mostly online learning with a little in-person time. Teens are already online more than enough. We do things differently.
Our version of hybrid is a deliberate balance:
- Independent learning at home (Mondays and Fridays) based on reading, writing, math practice, guided by clear challenges and high-quality materials we provide along with journaling, and personal interests.
- High-value, in-person collaboration (Tuesdays through Thursdays) filled with Socratic discussions, labs, problem-solving, and team-based Ventures.
Roughly 60% of learning happens on campus and 40% off campus. In-person time is reserved for what can't be replicated at home — Socratic debates, science experiments, and Venture teamwork. Independent days allow for deep reading, writing drafts, reflection, and the pursuit of athletics, fine arts, apprenticeships, or family business work.
What Types of Learning Happen On-Campus?
Some learning simply cannot be replicated at home — and that's what we reserve for on-campus time. At Ai², the three days together are designed for the kinds of learning that are highly interactive, collaborative, and community-driven:
1
Socratic Discussions
Where learners debate big ideas and refine their thinking through dialogue.
2
Collaborative Math Problem-Solving
Where breakthroughs often come from a group "Eureka!" moment.
3
Science Labs and Experiments
Where learners work hands-on with materials and make discoveries together.
4
Ventures
Where teams design, build, and present real-world projects and solutions.
These are not activities that can be replaced with worksheets or online modules. They require presence, peers, and community — which is why our in-person days are so valuable.
What Types of Learning Happen Off-Campus?
Independent days (Mondays and Fridays) are designed for the kinds of learning that thrive in quiet focus, flow, or personal passion. These include:
Deep Reading
Reading great books and exploring primary sources without distraction.
Writing
Writing first drafts and refining ideas before bringing them into group workshops.
Math Practice
Math practice using adaptive platforms or working through challenging problems individually.
Reflection
Goal-setting and journaling, building the habit of reflection and personal accountability.
Passions
Pursuing passions such as fine arts, music, athletics, entrepreneurship, apprenticeships, or family business work.
This independent time gives learners the chance to dive deeply into their interests, practice self-management, and bring well-prepared contributions back to the group. It's also where teens can experience the freedom and responsibility that prepares them for life beyond school.
How Do Learners Stay Connected During Off-Campus Time?
We make sure that off-campus learning is not "alone time" but connected time with purpose and accountability.
Clear Structure
Every session begins with a clear outline of topics, readings, and challenges, and each week learners receive a chart of specific challenges to complete in order to be prepared before returning on Tuesday.
Organization Tools
Learners keep a binder, journal, and portfolio to track their work and reflections, which ensures organization and visible progress.
Peer Accountability
Accountability comes through peer expectations — learners can only fully participate in group work if they arrive prepared.
Guide Feedback
Guides provide feedback and portfolio reviews at the end of each session, with twice-yearly public portfolio presentations to parents and guides.
Social Learning
Many learners also choose to meet up at coffee shops or libraries on Mondays and Fridays for study groups, adding a social element to their independent work.
This structure keeps learners both independent and supported — they have freedom to work on their own schedule, but with the clear expectations, tools, and community accountability that ensure real progress.
The Big Picture of Learning at Ai²
At Ai², rigor and growth come not from extra hours of seat time, but from the design of our program. Learners experience a balanced rhythm of Foundations and Ventures, competency-based progress, portfolio reviews, and public exhibitions — all within a community that challenges and supports them.
In simple terms, how is Ai² different?
Compared to traditional private schools, Ai² offers:
Academics
Taught to mastery and immediately applied in real-world contexts.
Skills
Like teamwork, communication, innovation, and independence are practiced daily.
Character
Is forged in community through feedback, accountability, and shared challenges.
After just one year, parents see:
- More independent, responsible, and confident learners
- Stronger writing and communication skills
- Deeper academic mastery
- A real sense of belonging
- More mature, motivated, and capable teens — ready to thrive in Year 2 and beyond
And the time to start is now. Today's teens are growing up in what many call the Age of Isolation — often labeled the "hopeless generation." The best antidote is community. At Ai², learners don't just attend school; they build a culture of connection, challenge, and meaning. Joining now means families become part of the founding years, helping to shape traditions, strengthen culture, and ensure their teens are surrounded by peers and mentors who care.
Ai² is more than a school — it's a community where young people rediscover hope, purpose, and belonging.
How Do You Ensure Academic Rigor and Personal Growth?
At Ai², rigor and growth come from the design of our program, not the length of time in a classroom.
Foundations + Ventures Structure
Ensures that every learner masters core academics while applying them to real-world challenges.
Competency-Based Progress
Learners advance by demonstrating mastery, not by seat time or grade level.
Public Exhibitions and Expos
Require learners to present their work, thinking, and solutions to families, peers, and community members.
Portfolio Reviews
Twice a year, learners lead portfolio reviews with their guide and parents, showcasing evidence of growth, mastery, and goal-setting.
Community Growth
Most importantly, growth happens in community — where character is forged through teamwork, feedback, accountability, and shared challenges.
This rhythm makes learning deeper, more rigorous, and more personal than traditional methods — all while giving families the flexibility of a modern schedule.
How Does Ai² Compare to Traditional Private Schools?
Ai² offers all the essentials of a strong private school, but goes further by preparing learners for the real world in ways traditional schools often cannot.
Like other private schools, we cover the full range of core subjects. The difference is that learners move forward by mastery, not seat time, and immediately apply what they learn through Ventures. This ensures deep understanding, not just content coverage.
Many schools emphasize academics but leave out the skills that matter most in life. At Ai², learners practice teamwork, communication, innovation, and independence every week in Ventures, where they solve problems, pitch ideas, and create real solutions.
We believe character is best forged in community. Learners grow in accountability, resilience, and responsibility through Socratic discussions, peer feedback, and public exhibitions — experiences that can't be replicated by tests or grades.
The result: Ai² learners leave with the academic preparation of a private school education, plus the confidence, character, and skills to thrive in college, work, and life.
What Can Parents Expect After 1 Year in the Program?
After one year at Ai², parents can expect to see remarkable growth in both academics and character. Learners will have:
Community & Belonging
A stronger sense of community and belonging, forged through team challenges and shared accomplishments.
Independence & Responsibility
Greater independence and responsibility, as they learn to manage their own work, set goals, and follow through.
Communication Skills
Clearer and more confident communication skills, developed through writing workshops, Socratic discussions, and public speaking.
Academic Mastery
Evidence of academic mastery, captured in portfolios, journals, and public exhibitions of learning.
Confidence & Resilience
A noticeable boost in confidence and resilience, as they face real challenges, learn to give and receive feedback, and persevere through obstacles.
In short, by the end of Year 1, families will see their learner not only growing academically but also becoming more mature, motivated, and capable — ready to thrive in Year 2 and beyond.
Why Is This the Right Time to Join Ai²?
This is the right time to join Ai² because teens need community now. Today's young people are often called the "hopeless generation," growing up in what many describe as an Age of Isolation. Too many teens feel disconnected, lonely, or unmotivated. We believe the best antidote is a tight-knit community where they belong, are challenged, and are known.
Founding Year Opportunity
A founding (pilot) year, where learners and families help shape the culture, traditions, and trajectory of Ai².
Close-Knit Community
A small, close-knit community, where every learner is seen, supported, and given meaningful roles.
Direct Influence
The chance to influence the program directly, ensuring it continues to grow in ways that meet real learner needs.
Starting now allows learners to be at the heart of something new — not just attending a school, but building a community that redefines what school can be.
Understanding Our Calendar
Ai² offers 32 weeks per year of on-campus learning, organized into six sessions with week-long breaks for rest, rejuvenation, and family time. This rhythm keeps learners energized and prevents burnout while maintaining strong academic progress.
How Many Weeks Per Year Is Ai² Open for On-Campus Learning?
Ai² offers 32 weeks per year of in-person learning. Our year is structured into six sessions, each followed by a week off for rest, rejuvenation, and family time. This rhythm helps learners stay fresh, focused, and energized.
1
Session One
Sept 2 – Oct 9 (6 weeks) → Fall Break
2
Session Two
Oct 20 – Nov 21 (5 weeks) → Thanksgiving Break
3
Session Three
Dec 1 – Dec 19 (3 weeks) → Christmas/New Year's Break
4
Session Four
Jan 5 – Feb 6 (5 weeks) → Winter Break
5
Session Five (Part I)
Feb 16 – Mar 13 (4 weeks) → Spring Break
6
Session Five (Part II)
Mar 23 – Apr 3 (2 weeks)
7
Community Service Week
Apr 6 – Apr 10 (1 week of off-campus learning in the community)
8
Session Six
Apr 13 – May 21 (6 weeks) → Summer Break (Memorial Day–Labor Day)
This adds up to 32 weeks of on-campus learning, plus meaningful off-campus and community-based learning experiences.
How Do You Calculate Total Learning Time?
As a hybrid program, Ai² learners are engaged in meaningful learning well beyond their three days on campus. Mondays and Fridays are structured for independent work with clear accountability, including reading, writing, journaling, math problem sets, and preparation for Socratic discussions, labs, team challenges, and reflecting in their learning journals. These days count toward instructional time because learners are working purposefully and are held accountable through portfolios, journals, and public exhibitions of their work.
August Learning
For the additional four weeks in August that local districts operate, we provide learners with a menu of learning challenges and reflection activities. These allow learners to consolidate summer experiences, set goals, and track self-directed learning plans. Learners and families document this work, and it qualifies as instructional time.
Real-World Learning
We also encourage learners to pursue real-world learning during summers — apprenticeships, internships, jobs, sports, fine arts, camps, and family travel. These experiences are recognized and valued as legitimate learning opportunities, giving learners both freedom and accountability.
This ensures that our total learning time meets Arizona's expectations for private schools, while honoring our belief that learning happens both in and out of the classroom.
Why Did You Choose 32 Weeks Instead of 36?
We believe families deserve time together and learners deserve to enjoy their summers. Many of us grew up with this same rhythm, and it simply feels right.
More importantly, we want to protect space for learners to pursue real-world opportunities that can't always fit during the school year. Summer is the perfect time for apprenticeships, internships, jobs, and other hands-on experiences that build responsibility and confidence. Teens today often miss these opportunities because of unnecessarily short summer breaks.
Summer Opportunities
By preserving a longer summer, we make room for all of it — from sports championships and lifeguarding jobs to travel, family vacations, and summer camps. These experiences are rich with learning and life lessons, and we refuse to crowd them out with an over-packed academic calendar.
What Does the Three-Day Week Structure Look Like?
At Ai², we run a three-day on-campus schedule (Tuesday–Thursday) designed to maximize learning and provide families with meaningful flexibility.
Weekly On-Campus Schedule & Rhythm
At Ai², our Innovators Track runs Tuesday–Thursday, beginning at 9:00am. This later start allows learners with early morning sports practices, dual enrollment college classes, family business work, or farm responsibilities the flexibility to start their day well — or simply get needed rest.
1
Morning Launch
Each day begins with a 10-minute Socratic launch connected to a Foundations topic, goal-setting, community-building, or character virtue.
2
Foundations
Learners then move into smaller working groups to rotate through:
- Math – problem-solving with a guide and peers
- Humanities – Socratic seminars on history and literature
- Literature & Writing – Writer's Workshop and peer editing
- Science – team labs and inquiry-driven projects
3
Lunch & Break
A 45-minute lunch and free-time break (often using Horizon Park's outdoor facilities)
4
Ventures
Learners shift into Ventures. Ventures begin with a Socratic launch and then move into team-based challenges tied to that session's theme. Teams work toward weekly goals, engage in light competitions to boost engagement and excellence, and can earn prizes, honors, or special activities for their collaboration and achievement.
These are not lectures or study halls, but high-impact, participatory sessions. Learners come prepared with assigned readings and prep work from Friday–Monday so they can actively contribute.
How Do You Maximize Learning During Those 3 Days?
We maximize learning at Ai² by making every minute on campus highly engaging, purposeful, and connected.
What Happens on Mondays and Fridays?
On Mondays and Fridays, learners work independently on preparation for the week ahead. This includes reading great books, journaling, setting goals, diving into primary sources, drafting writing pieces, and tackling challenging math problems. These days give learners the freedom to enter a state of flow, making deep connections and generating provocative questions that fuel Socratic seminars and projects when they return to campus.
Flexible Environment
We encourage learners to find the environment that works best for them — some may choose to study at home, while others may gather at coffee shops or libraries with peers for extra support and accountability.
Special Interests
These days are also an opportunity for learners with special interests in fine arts, music, athletics, equine studies, apprenticeships, or family business involvement to pursue their passions. We fully support this kind of curated experience as a way for each learner to test goals, chart their own course, and pursue unique paths alongside the support of a tight-knit cohort.
Ventures-Only Option
For those in our Ventures-only cohort, Mondays and Fridays offer full flexibility to pursue homeschooling, co-ops, online classes, or other learning experiences while still benefiting from an in-person, purposeful community at Ai².
How Do You Track and Support Off-Campus Work?
We take off-campus learning seriously and provide clear systems to ensure learners stay on track while building independence.
In Foundations
Each session begins with a session outline that includes topics, challenges (assignments), due dates, and readings for every subject. Learners receive the necessary books and readings, and each Thursday they get a weekly chart of challenges to complete before returning on Tuesday. All of this is organized in a binder, so learners learn to manage their own work.
Accountability comes from both community and individual responsibility:
Individually
- Learners track their completed challenges and can only fully participate in in-person activities if they come prepared.
- They keep a learning journal and portfolio of math discussions, writing drafts, responses to readings, and science lab reports.
With Guides and Parents
- At the end of every session, they have a short portfolio review and goal check-in with their guide. Twice per year, they lead a public portfolio review with their guide and parents, reflecting on strengths, growth, and future goals.
- At year's end, learners curate an annual portfolio of their best work — a lasting record of their progress.
In Ventures
Accountability is both individual and team-based. Learners track challenges throughout the session, with each challenge contributing toward the Venture's final product or solution.
Community Accountability
At the end of the session, learners present their work in a public Expo to families, peers, and community guests.
Individual Accountability
They also build a professional portfolio and journal of reflections to document their real-world learning and prepare for future transcripts.
This combination of public exhibitions, reflective feedback, and portfolio reviews gives families and learners a much deeper and more authentic picture of progress than traditional testing or grades. Parents don't just see numbers—they see their child's growth in character, critical thinking, creativity, and real-world skills alongside academics.
Why Is This Flexible Schedule Better Than 5-Day Seat Time?
Our three-day on-campus schedule combines the best of both worlds: the community, accountability, and team-based challenges of a school environment, with the flexibility and independence of homeschooling.
This balance creates a powerful rhythm: three days of high-energy collaboration and challenge, two days of independent flow and focus. It respects family priorities while ensuring academic rigor and deep character growth.
Help Me Understand the Academic Program
Does it truly qualify as a private school?
Yes — Ai² fully meets Arizona's requirements for private education in both attendance and subject coverage. State law requires instruction in reading, grammar, mathematics, social studies, and science, and all of these are built into our Foundations program:
Reading & Grammar
Literature & Writing
Mathematics
Math
Social Studies
Humanities
Science
Science
We intentionally do not require state-mandated testing, choosing instead to measure learning through projects, portfolios, feedback, and public exhibitions. Certain sensitive topics—such as sex education, gender identity, or CRT—are left to parents, who we believe are best positioned to guide their children in those areas.
For families who want additional data, we offer the MAP Growth assessment by NWEA as an optional tool. It is not high-stakes, but it provides a snapshot of strengths and growth areas in reading, language, and math.
We ensure learners meet or exceed expectations by mapping Ventures and Foundations projects to Arizona standards, advancing learners based on mastery rather than seat time, and offering multiple forms of assessment including portfolio reviews and public Expos. This approach gives families a much deeper and more authentic picture of progress than test scores or grades ever could.
Ai² is fully compliant with Arizona's private school regulations while offering a unique educational approach that emphasizes mastery, real-world application, and character development.
What Subjects Are Required by Law for Private Schools in Arizona?
Arizona law requires private schools to provide instruction in reading, grammar, mathematics, social studies, and science during the same general school year as the local district.
At Ai², we cover all of these areas through our Foundations program:
Our program fully meets Arizona's requirements while going further: rigorous, competency-based learning that emphasizes both core academics and real-world application.
Are There Any Areas Not Included Intentionally?
At Ai², we do not require any state-mandated testing, that public and some charter schools require. Instead, learners demonstrate mastery through projects, presentations, peer and mentor feedback, and public exhibitions of work.
Parental Choice
We also intentionally leave certain sensitive topics to parents, who we believe are best positioned to guide their children in these areas. For example, we do not include sex education, gender identity instruction, or critical race theory (CRT) in our program.
Our Focus
Our focus is on providing a strong academic foundation and real-world application while respecting family values and parental choice.
How Do You Ensure Learners Meet or Exceed High-Level Expectations?
At Ai², we believe learning is best measured through projects, portfolios, character growth, and real-world application—not by a single test score. That's why we don't use standardized testing as the foundation of our program.
For families who want an additional way to track academic growth, we offer the MAP Growth assessment by NWEA as an optional tool. MAP is not a high-stakes exam. It adapts to each learner's level, provides a simple snapshot of strengths and growth areas in reading, language, and math, and helps guide goal-setting. Results are used only as one piece of the bigger picture, alongside the rich, personalized learning happening every day at Ai². Participation is completely up to each family.
Mapped Learning Experiences
Every Venture, Humanities project, and Science lab is mapped with Arizona's expectations and other important metrics such as NGSS, ensuring learners engage with essential knowledge and skills throughout the year.
Competency-Based Progress
Learners advance by demonstrating mastery of specific competencies, not just by completing seat time.
Multiple Forms of Assessment
Understanding is demonstrated through projects, writing, Socratic discussions, and public Expos where learners share their work with peers, families, and community members.
Reflection & Feedback
Learners set goals, receive peer evaluation, and track mastery progress. Twice per year, they lead portfolio reviews with their guide and parents, showcasing strengths, growth areas, and evidence of learning across disciplines.
Optional Growth Data
Families may choose to use MAP Growth for additional assurance in reading, language, and math.
This combination of public exhibitions, reflective feedback, and portfolio reviews gives families and learners a much deeper and more authentic picture of progress than traditional testing or grades. Parents don't just see numbers—they see their child's growth in character, critical thinking, creativity, and real-world skills alongside academics.
The Pilot Cohort Experience
We define our pilot cohort as families who have tried many other options yet still feel they haven't found the school that truly meets their teen's needs. They recognize that their learner thrives in a tight-knit community, needs interesting challenges, and is motivated to learn. These are families with the time, resources, and courage to try something new—accepting the risks of stepping into something they haven't seen before because it's the closest they've found to what their hearts have been longing for.
Why Start Small?
Launching with a smaller first-year group is intentional. It allows us to:
- Adjust quickly to learner and community needs
- Test our current space with its abundant outdoor facilities
- Ensure our future permanent location meets those needs
- Build a strong culture with learners ready to step into the unknown together
Pilot Family Advantages
Pilot families receive a unique advantage:
- Direct input into shaping the program
- A high level of personal attention
- The opportunity to form deep relationships with other action-takers and out-of-the-box thinkers
- Founding families will always hold a special place of honor in our community, with unique opportunities reserved for those who helped us begin
Feedback
Feedback from this founding year will directly influence Year 2—refining schedules, expanding offerings, and meeting the needs of families with diverse commitments such as elite athletics, music performances, theater, entrepreneurship, apprenticeships, and more. Both Foundations and Ventures experiences will be continuously improved to ensure the highest quality learning environment.
While details may expand in future years—adding mentorships, apprenticeships, electives, dual enrollment, daily on-site physical education, and makerspace partnerships—our core philosophy and program pillars will remain unchanged. They are grounded in over fifteen years of experience and built on proven, research-backed learning principles.
What's Different Next Year?
We plan to grow in many ways. Our middle and high school programs will welcome new learners each year as cohorts move up, with intentional growth in each high school "grade." By the 2027–28 school year, Ai² will offer a complete 9th–12th grade high school program. While our focus is on building a strong middle and high school in the first three years, we are open to expanding into primary and elementary if there's significant community need.
New Ventures
Each year we will create new Ventures built around our six core themes. These broad but high-value categories allow us to design fresh, customized experiences based on the needs and interests of our learners, as well as new community partnerships.
Foundations Cycles
In Foundations, we cycle through a 3-year middle school program and two 2-year high school cycles (9–10th and 11–12th), with unique opportunities for older learners to practice their crafts in real-world settings.
New Opportunities
Year 2 will also launch high school apprenticeships, community mentorships for middle and high school, expanded dual enrollment, and new electives such as on-site physical training.
Permanent Space
We are actively looking for a permanent space, in close consultation with founding families, and envision adding a permanent makerspace, music studio, and a full Monday–Friday option for those seeking more in-person time.
However, our team-based challenges will remain Tuesday–Thursday to ensure full participation, essential to teamwork.
Year 2 learners will benefit from a stronger culture, refined schedules, and partnerships shaped by the networks and contributions of our founding families.
Ai² admits students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, or age, and is committed to reasonable learning accommodations in line with our mission and design.
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